Dubai Passes on 2020 Bid, Considering 2024

(ATR) Dubai will not bid for the 2020 Olympics, and the impact of the decision on a Doha bid remains unclear, Around the Rings understands.

On Friday, the United Arab Emirates National Olympic Committee announced it will pass on the 2020 Olympics, but will continue to consider a bidfor the 2024 Games.

"The National Olympic Committee of the United Arab Emirates todayconfirmed that it will not enter a bid for the 2020 Olympic Games," UAENOC said in a statement.

"Whilst a feasibility studyinto Dubai's capability for hosting the Olympic Games concluded that asmuch of 70 percent of the 'hard' infrastructure was already in place orplanned, it was decided a bid would be better timed for 2024."

It would seem that this would clear the way for a bid from Doha, in nearby Qatar. However, a well-placed source with the Qatar Olympic Committee tells ATR no decision has been made yet on whether Doha would bid. A Doha bid would seem to be boosted by Qatar staging the 2022 World Cup.

A bid from Dubai was considered a strong possibility.

In 2009, the Dubai firm of Falcon andAssociates started a feasibility study into hosting the 2020 Olympics. Giselle Davies Pettyfer, former IOC Communications Director, now a Dubai resident, was hired by the firm as its CEO specifically to lead the study. Attempts by ATRto reach Falcon and Associates for comment were unsuccessful, as the UAE workweek lasts from Sunday to Thursday.

The oil-rich emirate has invested heavily in sports infrastructure, as have other Middle Eastern countries.

However, many potential problems for a bid existed, most notably the extremely high temperatures in the region.

Sheikh Mohammed, UAE's ruler, and other Olympic leaders from Dubai said in 2010 that was one of the challenges in staging the Olympics in Dubai.

"We have to be honest with ourselves" said IOC member Princess Haya, wife of the sheikh. "There are real issues with having aGames in this part of the world, primarily with the heat and theclimate. He wants clear answers."

Another potential problem for the bid: UAE was hit especially hard by the worldwide economic recession. Numerous construction projects were abruptly ended in the city, and lines of abandoned luxury vehicles along the road are not uncommon as their owners can no longer afford them.

So far, Madrid, Rome and Tokyo are the only cities bidding for the 2020 Olympics. A decision from Turkey is expected shortly. Other bids are possible, including at least one more from the Arab world.

Interested NOCs have until September 1 to file their candidacy with the IOC.

A vote on the 2020 host comes at the 2013 IOC Session in Buenos Aires.

Written by Ed Hula III.