Ever since the modern Olympic movement was founded more than a century ago, "it has been assumed that the world’s cities are desperate to host the games," according to the FINANCIAL TIMES. However, last year, Munich and St. Moritz, Switzerland "withdrew plans to lodge formal bids" with the IOC to host the 2022 Winter Games. Now Oslo "has followed suit." Oslo "pulled out not simply because of the high cost of staging the event." The list of demands tabled by the IOC "also stuck in the Norwegian craw." These "included a cocktail reception hosted and paid for by the royal family, street lanes reserved for IOC limousines, and a complimentary Samsung phone with paid-for Norwegian subscription for each delegate." Part of the problem "lies with the governing body of the Olympic movement." As with FIFA, the IOC "is too blasé about the exorbitant cost of the stadiums and other infrastructure it requires." And "while the IOC is raising its contribution towards costs, it is still not doing enough." Meanwhile, its "rigid rules on marketing rights prevent host cities from making sufficient money." The IOC "may wonder what the fuss is about, given that many of its conditions have been accepted by previous host cities." But "that was in the past." The "mood has changed." The IOC’s reaction to Oslo "is both instructive and depressing." IOC Exec Dir Christophe Dubi appeared to blame the Norwegian people for Oslo’s "missed opportunity." At a time of austerity the IOC "needs to wise up" (
FT, 10/3).
