Hosting the Olympics
Today, the Olympic Games are one of the most popular and most watched events on earth. Every four years, many countries bid for the Games. Why do they do this? What are the advantages of hosting such an event?
A world-class event demands world-class facilities from the host city, and any which do not already exist will have to be built. These will remain for the local population to enjoy after the Games are over. An example of this is the accommodation which will have to be built, not only for the athletes in their Olympic village, but also for visitors. Later this can be transformed into permanent accommodation for tourists and students. The transport system must also be taken into consideration. Hosting the Olympics means having an effective wide-reaching system, which is essential to carry people safely and efficiently to their destinations. Such a transport system is a great advantage for any city and will be in service for the years to come.
Funding any great event is a costly business, but many companies fiercely compete to become sponsors of such global events as it is an ideal platform for advertising. This means that advertising profits can easily cover a large proportion of the cost involved. In addition, the broadcasting rights can be a source of finance. For example, the national American TV company NBC paid $3.5 billion to broadcast the Olympic Games between 2000 and 2008.
Another consideration is employment. High-tech video cameras are already common in most of our big cities today, and increasing the manpower necessary to guarantee the safety of all concerned provides valuable employment opportunities. Indeed, the organization of such an event gives rise to a large number of jobs in a variety of sectors including security, catering and hospitality.
It’s universally agreed that the host city gains overall in terms of improvements in facilities and infrastructure. But this is not all. Not only do the improved facilities remain after the Games have gone, but the city also becomes a significant place in its own right.
