The second group is represented by cities in developed countries that seek to rejuvenate themselves or redirect interest in domestic federal politics. Munich in , Montreal in , Los Angeles in , Barcelona in and Atlanta in were examples of this.
Hosts for the next few Olympic games—Paris Group 2 , Los Angeles Group 2 and Brisbane Group 2 —illustrate that these have been awarded to the second group. Bidders that entered the process in recent times but did not go the whole hog, such as Budapest, Istanbul, Baku, Doha, Nairobi, Kyiv, Casablanca, and Malaysia and Singapore jointly illustrate the remarkable sociological signalling value of hosting the Olympics.
Historically, Olympic bids started about 8 or 9 years before each event and by mandate were awarded 7 years prior to the games. The International Olympics Committee IOC recently changed its mandate to permit greater flexibility on the 7-year rule and also work towards nurturing countries or cities as potential applicants. With the change in rules, Brisbane was awarded the games 11 years in advance, soon after the conclusion of the Tokyo games.
The evaluation and bidding process typically proceeds in three stages, spaced across a period of about 18 months. The first stage involves a vision, games concept and strategy. The second stage involves governance, legal provisions and venue funding, and the third is related to games delivery, experience and venue legacy.
Contrary to popular perception, a few games have astonishingly turned a profit. Management rigour and the re-use of existing transportation and housing facilities appear to hold the key to at least breaking even on the monumental costs. It is likely to take India about years to double that in constant dollars. Up until now, India has hosted only a handful of multi-sport events, the Asian Games and and the Commonwealth Games However, none of these really match up to the grandeur and scale of an Olympic Games.
Typically, an Olympic Games is funded through public money, national and international corporates, multinational sponsorship deals, sale of broadcasting rights, etc. Once the Games have been granted to a city, it is a natural magnet for a plethora of investors, experts and global stakeholders. Designing a long-term investment and marketing strategy will ensure high participation from the private sector, reducing the burden and reliance on the government funds.
The Indian government should make the most of this opportunity to tackle issues of the environment, pollution and waste management. Drastic strategies must be adopted to control environmental obliteration, augmenting water, food and sustainability.
It can be a stepping stone for tackling public health and sanitation issues, eventually ensuring clean and safe facilities for the Olympic athletes. Any government would like the prestige to have hosted an Olympic Games during their tenure.
Continuing a stable democratic polity, where its citizens are safe, secure and fearless would prove to be a huge attraction for participating countries. After the elections in , it would be the passing of another 13 years until the Games are held. Unwavering political support for the pursuit of hosting the Games, beyond party politics-irrespective of the ruling party will be mandatory.
This is because, firstly, they can capitalise on the multi-city bid design to spread the games within a particular state or area to meet all the needs. Secondly, assuming India hosts the YOG and Asian Games, they should ensure a long-term vision for the infrastructure built for these events. Especially with contenders like Australia, Indonesia, a unified Korea, or Germany already on way to creating strong bids for the Games, ours may prove to be fighting for a lost cause!
However, creating an Olympic bid not just with an outlook of hosting an event, but with one to primarily channelise development efforts for the country will prove to be a win-win. It is only when we perceive the games as a long-term development enabler, can it be made a sustainable proposition. So far as competitors go, it is never going to be a straight forward victory. The recently-held Tokyo Games also faced protest for the amount of money spent in hosting the Olympics.
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had, in March this year, said they would make every effort and upgrade the infrastructure to successfully bid for the Games, to mark years of independence. India had also showed interest in hosting the Olympics as part of a long-term hosting strategy that also included the Asian Games and the Youth Olympic Games.
Share Via. PTI , New Delhi. The Rio Games had to contend with concerns about the Zika virus while Greece is said to be suffering economic effects of hosting the Olympics till date. Till the Tokyo Games began, most of the Japanese population was against hosting the event due to concerns about the coronavirus spread. Bidding for the Olympics and lobbying is also an expensive task. Many host cities struggle with legacy issues as well, about what to do with the infrastructure and venues set up for the Games at a huge cost.
Countries which are smitten by the glamour and prestige associated with hosting the Games are more likely to go for it. China treated the Beijing Olympics as its big coming-out party to showcase its stature as a big global power. India may like the idea of showing that it can pull off an event of this magnitude and may feel that the expenditure and trouble will be worth it. For other countries, for example Britain and Australia, the Games may be a catalyst for development of sporting and other infrastructure in regions which may need it.
Both of them have found it tough to get hosts of late. Vietnam expressed its inability to stage the Asiad due to an economic recession and general unpreparedness.
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