Rio 2016 Lessons for 2024 Olympic Bids

(ATR) ASOIF’s director says cost-cutting across the Rio Games may spell the end for Olympic gigantism and offer financial lessons for the 2024 contenders.

A string of cutbacks necessitated by the collapse of the Brazilian economy is delivering a cost-conscious Rio 2016 Games.

Andrew Ryan, of the summer Olympic sports body, tells Around the Rings that Rio 2016 organizers’ troubles may have an upside for the Olympic Movement in the long term.

"In some ways, perversely, it has forced us to look very closely at the expenditure on an Olympic Games," he said of the international federations’ increased input in Games preparations.

"One of the concerns we have is the cost of the Olympic Games is getting bigger and bigger, reducing the number of cities in the world who can bid.

"It’s been very, very difficult to turn that back in the past. London I think helped a lot."

Ryan described the cost-cutting strategy implemented by the IOC and Rio 2016 as "a very useful exercise".

"It has certainly stopped what we used to call gigantism, of everything getting bigger, more and greater," he said.

"It has helped us because it is forcing everybody to get back to basics."

For the 2024 bids – Budapest, Los Angeles, Paris and Rome – the downsizing of venues, grandstands and slashing of budgets and certain service levels could provide food for thought for their developing Olympic concepts, he suggested.

"I think to some degree. There are going to be some lessons learned from this. Some will be the other way," he said, highlighting the fact that some services and aspects of the Rio Games may ultimately be deemed borderline sufficient and areas to be improved on for future bids.

Might the IOC use the austerity measures of Rio 2016’s preparations to instruct the 2024 bids not to go overboard on their budgets?

"I don’t think it will represent the model for going forward," Ryan insisted. "It will represent a whole raft of lessons learned and a useful exercise, focusing people on making sure things are delivered to a good standard."

One area in which he thinks future Olympic hosts and bids might benefit is in reducing costs in transporting VIPs to and from Games sites.

Ryan said the T1 system – dedicated cars and drivers for individuals – might be replaced by the T3 Games stakeholder and public transport service, which was "more economic and efficient".

Reported by Mark Bisson

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