This is a 2-part series. In Part-1, we looked at the existing process. In Part-2, we cover the reasons behind the new approach for selecting the host city and what this new approach entails.
The benefitsProfit and job creation in various industries (construction companies, banks, hotels, media, etc.). Also, hosting the Games is seen as a big badge of honour and carries the potential of turning the city into a tourist destination for years to come. of hosting the Olympic Games are highly questionable.
This is because, since 1960, almost all Olympic Games have had massive cost overruns (e.g., the cost estimates for hosting Rio Olympics 2016 were $2.8 billion, but it ended up costing $20 billion).
It means most host cities, rather than enjoying the benefits, end up losing money and wasting resources.
This is one of the reasons why the IOC decided to adopt a new approach.
Because, despite the expected losses, competing cities do everything possible to outbid the competitors to earn this “badge of honour.”
This “everything” includes excessive expenditure and corruption—several cases of bribing/unethical lobbying have been reported over the years.
So, it reached a stage where countries started pulling out of the bidding process.
In 2014, the IOC adopted Olympic Agenda 2020 that outlined the roadmap for the changes in the election process.
Under this new approach, the IOC works with potential hosts and, rather than demanding major infrastructural changes, adapts the games to the general infrastructure plans of the city.
The focus is on modification than construction—maximum use of existing facilities is promoted.
The host city can now use facilities outside the region or even the country if building a new facility can’t be justified.
The IOC will now share its expertise & experience with the host city to manage costs.
Two “Future Host Commissions”Comprising International Federations, athletes, National Olympic Committees, the International Paralympic Committee. will oversee the process and make recommendations to keep costs manageable and the project environmentally sustainable.
Rather than expensive proposals, interested cities can now get into an informal exchange with the IOC to explore interest in hosting the Games without any obligations.
The IOC and the interested parties keep a continuous dialogue on where IOC supports them to develop the Games concept and discuss if that concept is aligned with the general developmental goals of the parties.
This continuous dialogue is non-edition, i.e., it is not for a specific (2032 or 2036) Olympics Games—it is more about exchanging notes.
Then the discussion with the preferred host becomes targeted, and a specific edition is discussed.
Brisbane 2032 is the first test of this new approach.
