Hosting a sports event is considered a major achievement of any country especially if it belongs to the Third World.
But there are some events, which can only be organized in a few countries such as the Winter Olympics. Since the beginning of major international sporting events like the Summer Olympics (1896), the Winter Olympics (1924) and the World Cup (1930), many countries literally run from pillar to post to host these events.
With the passage of time, the FIFA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) emerged as the two most powerful and influential sports organizations. Interestingly, these are considered more powerful than the United Nations. That is why; their decisions usually create a stir in the media with numerous columnists coming up with analysis and commentaries. On the basis of some recent developments, a question comes in ones mind: Are various countries losing interest in hosting such events?
Until now, countries lobby fiercely to host the World Cup and the Summer Olympics. However, hosting of the Winter Olympics is a different story altogether.
This event is usually held in rich industrial countries mainly European. It is mainly due to its unique requirements. As the name suggests, holding of this event requires special weather conditions like snow etc. In addition to that sufficient infrastructure and special accommodation are also required.
These conditions restrict the options for holding this event. And this is why the world saw the Winter Olympics being held more than once in the same place such as Lake Placid in New York State.
Few days ago and to the surprise of many sports commentators, hosting the Winter Olympics enthusiasm is getting colder than the air in the Olympic villages. Earlier this month, Norway withdrew its bid to host the 2022 edition of the Winter Olympics.
When one sees Norwegian children skiing, one would think they were born with a pair of skis in their hands. Other countries like Sweden and Ukraine have also withdrawn their bids. There are rumors that German city Munich is also not interested in hosting the event.
Is it because people are losing interest in the Winter Olympics or is it the behavior of the IOC?
Many international sports watchers say that the IOC is becoming a Jet Set organization rather than an organization caring about and bringing the world youth together. Norwegian and other European media reports criticize the initial requirements of the committees visiting the bidding cities. According to those reports, when members of the Olympic committee visit the bidding cities, they would set many conditions, which have nothing to do with sports but for their personal prestige. For example, they want to stay in best hotels, priority traffic lanes during the events, red carpet arrival ceremony and mobile phones for their use. With these kinds of requirements, it is very easy to lose transparency, which results in corruption.
Due to these reasons, many European cities have lost interest in the event and the IOC is left with just two options for the 2022 event — Almaty in Kazakhstan and Beijing.
Many people have started to raise a question what if the Winter Olympics are held indoors. In such a case, the event can be organized anywhere across the world. Would there be any country willing to pay for the expensive super huge indoor facilities? Many experts say it is possible.
With the advent of social media, any sporting event could expose the host country’s achievements and the truth about life inside the country. Oh, I forgot to mention that Poland and Switzerland are also not enthusiastic about hosting the Winter Olympics. In the past decisions were coming from the top about hosting an international sporting event, nowadays, it is the ordinary people who decide. The IOC has to change the rules or it will find no takers or the future Winter Olympics games will be held indoors and the Summer Olympic will be played using simulators such as the PlayStation.
—
Email: [email protected]
