Regional Bids a Possibility for IOC Olympic Reforms -- On the Scene

(ATR) The IOC is considering offering the Olympics to regions rather than a single city under Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms, Around the Rings has learned.

The proposal to permit more flexibility in staging the Games is thought to be one of 40 recommendations up for approval at the IOC Extraordinary Session in Monaco Dec. 8-9. The reforms will bring sweeping changes to the Olympic Movement.

Following the handful of European cities who withdrew from the 2022 Olympic bid race, leaving only Almaty and Beijing, the plan seems designed to make the Olympics more attractive as funding propositions for cities, regions and national governments.

After the demise of the Oslo 2022 bid due to lack of government and public support, the IOC is keen to avoid a repeat.

The proposal might allow the costs of the Games to be borne by a number of cities, state and national government with the benefits spread around the region.

Currently, the IOC’s bidding process says, "The Games are awarded to one city, although some venues may be located outside the host city itself."

The IOC has not previously welcomed Olympic bids from multiple countries or cities.

The shake-up of Olympic bidding rules is one of the key priorities of IOC president Thomas Bach’s Agenda 2020 reforms.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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