Today, the cost of the average Olympics would deter most cities and countries, even the rich ones. Any international gathering of this magnitude also becomes an obvious target for terrorist groups, even if they have no grievances against the host city, as was the case in Munich in 1972.
The costs and risks have led to host cities being located almost exclusively in wealthier countries. Northeast Asia and Australia have been added to the traditional summer host cities in Europe and North America, but no Olympic Games have ever been held in Southeast Asia, South Asia or Africa. Only one has been held in South America. Brisbane faced little competition for its bid to host the 2032 Summer Games, as did Salt Lake City for the 2034 Winter Games.. Commentators noted ironically that the Olympic organizers needed these cities more than the cities needed the Olympics.
What can be done? For the much larger Summer Olympics, it has been proposed that a permanent venue be built, like the classical Greek games, which were held every four years at Olympia for centuries and whose stadium held tens of thousands of people. In ancient Greece, the event was a religious ceremony, with athletic contests honoring Zeus, king of the gods, and named after his residence on Mount Olympus. Local wars were suspended to allow athletes to participate.
It is not that the ancient games were immune to politics. In Roman times, the young emperor Nero, a lover of Greek culture, decided to take part in the games of 67 AD, a ten-horse chariot race, his favourite sport. Although he fell from his chariot and failed to finish, the judges still declared him the winner, as in all the other competitions he entered. His death the following year brought another political change, and the Greek judges annulled his victories.
But classic political interference was probably rare compared to today’s Olympic Games, where wars often break out during the Games. The Games themselves and their hosts have become natural targets for terrorists. No matter where the Games are held, a single permanent venue could exacerbate these problems.
The best way to future-proof the Olympic Games and make them more accessible to developing countries is to take advantage of telecommunications technologies to organize multinational Olympic Games that are seamlessly connected by fiber optic cables and satellites.
Groups of Olympic sports could be held in different locations where they are most popular and have suitable facilities. For example, racket sports such as badminton could be held in Hong Kong or Indonesia, and hockey matches in India. Aquatics events could be held in Australia, gymnastics in Northeast Asia or North America, football in South America, equestrian sports in Europe, wrestling in Central Asia, athletics in East Africa and surfing in South Africa.
Such sports would still be held on a rotating basis, but in venues that share enthusiastic fan bases, facilities and eager sponsors. With lower costs, cities in developing countries could more easily become elite Olympic venues. Athletes would still compete against the world’s best in their sports.
So the price of lower costs, improved security and greater reach comes with logistical and administrative challenges. But if one goal of the Games is to promote international cooperation, not just to host global sporting competitions, then the IOC should be willing to make these efforts.
Most homebody fans would hardly notice a difference. True fans, however, might seek out a sports group in a time zone that is convenient for them, rather than perhaps having to get up in the middle of the night. And those who enjoy seeing and learning more about the venue will find much more of that.
The Games would be truly global, as has never been possible before. Is the world ready for it? Maybe not in 2036, but costs, safety and even comfort, equity and environmental considerations could make it almost inevitable.
Charles E. Morrison is a research fellow and former president of the East-West Center in Honolulu. He writes occasionally on sports topics.
