Here are a few tidbits while I work on my next feature article. The deadline for applications for the 2022 Winter Olympics are due tomorrow, March 14, 2014 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Krakow, Poland delivered their application today. Kraków latest city to submit applicant file in 2022 Olympic race – insidethegames.biz – Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games News.
Oslo and Beijing are expected to hand their applications in by the end of business tomorrow. Meanwhile, Norway’s Parliament has issued a list of “demands” it wants met if the Norwegian Capital is to host the 2022 Winter Olympics: GamesBids.com – Norway’s Parliament Lists Demands to IOC If Oslo 2022 Bid Is Approved.
Almaty, it seems, is setting itself up to be the early front-runner in this all European contest. Having bid previously on two different occasions, the bid leaders have learned from mistakes and made improvements. We will see what happens when initial evaluations are released in the next few months.
Meanwhile, the race for the 2024 Summer Olympics is starting to pick-up. First, a round-up of news from the potential U.S. bidders:
Washington, DC, which bid to be the 2012 and 2016 US candidate is again bidding. Their committee is starting to take shape: GamesBids.com – Business Leaders To Head A Washington 2024 Summer Olympic Bid.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles, which has twice hosted the Olympics, in 1932 and 1984, is planning on submitting its bid to the USOC in September. L.A. has a lot going for it; besides past experience, it has numerous venues ready to be used, transportation infrastructure and a plethora of hotels and restaurants. Also, it has the honor of being the city which helped to keep the Olympic Games from going bankrupt: GamesBids.com – Los Angeles Steps Up For 2024 Summer Games Bid.
Boston, which could be a top contender to DC and LA, released its report written by a special legislative commission a couple of weeks ago. The report, says the city and its environs are capable of hosting a games, but did not go into much detail regarding venue plan or budgeting. GamesBids.com – Draft Commission Report Says Boston 2024 Bid Could Face Challenges.
Other cities from around the world:
Berlin is sending some mixed signals. First, the mayor said it would not consider bidding, but now it looks as though the city may put forth a bid. GamesBids.com – Berlin Considers Bidding For 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
Rome is plowing ahead with its plans to bid for the 2024 Games, despite deepening economic problems: Exclusive: Rome 2024 bid unaffected by financial problems, claim CONI via Exclusive: Rome 2024 bid unaffected by financial problems, claim CONI – insidethegames.biz – Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games News.
Finally, Paris is looking to make another bid, having failed in 1992, 2008 and 2012. New French poll puts support for Paris 2024 bid at 56 per cent – insidethegames.biz – Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games News.
Here is an early call on the 2024 contenders:
- Berlin
- Paris
- Rome
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Istanbul
- Boston, MA or Los Angeles, CA
I see one or two other cities bidding, giving a total of 7 or 8 total cities, but as of yet, I am not entirely sure which cities they might be. As much as the IOC wants to go to Africa, since the US will be bidding, 2024 may not be South Africa’s year. The IOC knows in order to fill its coffers and get premium television rights fees, it has to bring the games back to the US. With all of the bridge building taking place between the IOC and USOC, if a US candidate is defeated again, there will certainly be some major fallout.
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