2032's Summer Games Appear Set, But No Word on 2030's Winter Games Yet
At the International Olympic Committee's virtual IOC Session last week, the IOC supported the Future Host Commission's recommendations for a 'new approach' in awarding Olympic Games to a targeted host site. Particularly eyeing the 2032 Games, the IOC has now confirmed 'continuous' and 'targeted' dialogue with Brisbane and the southeast Queensland region in Australia for their candidacy.
Brisbane is most likely the 2032 Summer Games host (via IOC)
This is certainly reinforcing a new way to award the Games site. Previously, Games were awarded to a candidate after reviewing and narrowing multiple bids, with a winner announced seven years before the respective Games. Traditionally, this bid process spurred exorbitant spending, and frequent malfeasance speculation, in frequent 'losing' bids. That meant bids became increasingly unpopular, with public scrutiny against spending and often causing would-be-competent bids to fizzle.
When Budapest dropped out of the running for the 2024 Summer Games, it left only Paris and Los Angeles as candidates. Faced with two logical hosts, and looking to avoid a messy 2028 bid season, the IOC awarded 2024 to Paris and 2028 to Los Angeles, setting up today's 'targeted dialogue' with a single preferred future host.
While some struggle to adjust to the new world, from journalists to other would-be bids, there is some logic to a revamped awarding. In addition to the opportunity to pre-select a very capable host, the new approach also helps avoid a repeat of the 2022 Winter Games bid season, in which the IOC found itself caught between a choice of either Almaty or Beijing, neither of which ideal. Beijing was the obvious choice for getting a Games held, but predictably has still caused the IOC headaches.
There was luckily no such public rancor in the race for the 2026 Winter Games, awarded to Milano-Cortina over Stockholm-Are in what is likely to be the last host selection under the old multi-bid candidature system.
When Budapest dropped out of the running for the 2024 Summer Games, it left only Paris and Los Angeles as candidates. Faced with two logical hosts, and looking to avoid a messy 2028 bid season, the IOC awarded 2024 to Paris and 2028 to Los Angeles, setting up today's 'targeted dialogue' with a single preferred future host.
While some struggle to adjust to the new world, from journalists to other would-be bids, there is some logic to a revamped awarding. In addition to the opportunity to pre-select a very capable host, the new approach also helps avoid a repeat of the 2022 Winter Games bid season, in which the IOC found itself caught between a choice of either Almaty or Beijing, neither of which ideal. Beijing was the obvious choice for getting a Games held, but predictably has still caused the IOC headaches.
There was luckily no such public rancor in the race for the 2026 Winter Games, awarded to Milano-Cortina over Stockholm-Are in what is likely to be the last host selection under the old multi-bid candidature system.
Milano-Cortina 2026 is likely the last winning host from the old bid system
Lost in the announcement from the IOC session was, to me, the glaring omission of a reference to the 2030 Olympics. These Winter Games obviously fall ahead of Brisbane 2032, but no mention was made of any 'targeted dialogue' with any site. Perhaps talks are happening already, but a 'preferred' candidate has yet to be identified? In any case, it's a bit curious why at least the 2030 process has not been outlined.
In any case, let's look at who might end up with the Games...
Sapporo
Sapporo hosted the 1972 Winter Games, and would thus join the ranks of double-hosts - St. Moritz, Innsbruck, Lake Placid, and Cortina d'Ampezzo (after 2026) are the others.
Aside from a proven ability to host a Games, Sapporo may actually benefit from Tokyo 2020, despite the IOC generally wanting to avoid going back to the same region -let alone nation - so soon. A well-received 2020 Olympics may help solidify public support for Japan's hosting, and there may be some will to reward Japan in some measure as compensation or reward for managing a Games despite the current Covid-19 pandemic.
In any case, let's look at who might end up with the Games...
Sapporo
Sapporo hosted the 1972 Winter Games, and would thus join the ranks of double-hosts - St. Moritz, Innsbruck, Lake Placid, and Cortina d'Ampezzo (after 2026) are the others.
Aside from a proven ability to host a Games, Sapporo may actually benefit from Tokyo 2020, despite the IOC generally wanting to avoid going back to the same region -let alone nation - so soon. A well-received 2020 Olympics may help solidify public support for Japan's hosting, and there may be some will to reward Japan in some measure as compensation or reward for managing a Games despite the current Covid-19 pandemic.
Sapporo hosted the Winter Games in 1972
Pyrennes-Barcelona
An intriguing three-nation bid from Spain, Andorra, and France would make Barcelona the second city to host a Games in both the summer and winter (Beijing will be the first in 2022 after its 2008 Summer Games). Who wouldn't get a kick out of an Olympic world stage in the tiny nation of Andorra? Its world-class ski resorts would certainly get a lift!
But this unique candidate may have shot itself in the foot with a pause in planning last fall, awaiting clarity from pandemic conditions and subsequent public support.
Salt Lake City
Does the IOC remember the 2002 Olympic Bid Scandal?? Six IOC members were expunged for bribery charges. Yet here we are with Salt Lake City coming back again, hat-in-hand, looking for another Games opportunity.
Granted, the 2002 Games are looked back on favorably - aside from the little bribery - and you can count on the United States to produce a commercially successful event. Though, attention may be shifting to 2034 in deference to Sapporo's bid.
Vancouver
A newcomer to the conversation is the host of the 2010 Games. Those Olympics were a beaming success, despite an unusual concern for snow levels.
The positive recent memories of 2010 may have made Vancouver the leading candidate, had they not gotten a late start in consideration.
An intriguing three-nation bid from Spain, Andorra, and France would make Barcelona the second city to host a Games in both the summer and winter (Beijing will be the first in 2022 after its 2008 Summer Games). Who wouldn't get a kick out of an Olympic world stage in the tiny nation of Andorra? Its world-class ski resorts would certainly get a lift!
But this unique candidate may have shot itself in the foot with a pause in planning last fall, awaiting clarity from pandemic conditions and subsequent public support.
Salt Lake City
Does the IOC remember the 2002 Olympic Bid Scandal?? Six IOC members were expunged for bribery charges. Yet here we are with Salt Lake City coming back again, hat-in-hand, looking for another Games opportunity.
Granted, the 2002 Games are looked back on favorably - aside from the little bribery - and you can count on the United States to produce a commercially successful event. Though, attention may be shifting to 2034 in deference to Sapporo's bid.
Vancouver
A newcomer to the conversation is the host of the 2010 Games. Those Olympics were a beaming success, despite an unusual concern for snow levels.
The positive recent memories of 2010 may have made Vancouver the leading candidate, had they not gotten a late start in consideration.
In 2010, Vancouver was the largest city to host a Winter Games
Lviv
The Ukrainian city withdrew its bid for the 2002 Games, but has recently expressed an interest in 2030. Bringing an Olympics here would be a return to Eastern Europe after Sarajevo 1984 and Sochi 2014.
The political unrest that derailed 2022's efforts may be too fresh in the IOC's minds, and there would likely need to be more infrastructure built than in other bids. But as track & field legend, and Ukrainian National Olympic Committee president, Sergey Bubka says, "Those who do not dream, do not win."
The Ukrainian city withdrew its bid for the 2002 Games, but has recently expressed an interest in 2030. Bringing an Olympics here would be a return to Eastern Europe after Sarajevo 1984 and Sochi 2014.
The political unrest that derailed 2022's efforts may be too fresh in the IOC's minds, and there would likely need to be more infrastructure built than in other bids. But as track & field legend, and Ukrainian National Olympic Committee president, Sergey Bubka says, "Those who do not dream, do not win."
..........
So, who will the 2030 host be? It's unclear when a candidate will be designated as preferred, assuming that's the IOC's plan. If so, my guess is Sapporo for 2030 and perhaps Salt Lake City for 2034. But Vancouver is a wild card with its late entry. Should its candidacy remain serious, its 2010 success may very well trump the others.
Which candidate do you think will be the 2030 host?
Which candidate do you think will be the 2030 host?
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