IOC President Thomas Bach said on Sunday that a "planned overhaul of the Olympic Games is crucial to ensure the world's biggest multi-sports event's relevance and continued growth in a rapidly changing world," according to Karolos Grohmann of REUTERS. A day before the IOC session "votes on the biggest changes for the Olympics in decades, Bach urged members to approve the 40 recommendations" dubbed "Agenda 2020," a project he initiated "immediately after taking over in Sept. 2013." Bach: "In our world -- changing faster than ever -- the success of yesterday means nothing for today." The overhaul, "to be voted on Monday and Tuesday, includes changes to the bidding process, making it easier, cheaper and more efficient for cities to launch a bid for the Olympics." Apart from the IOC "shouldering part of the multi-million dollar cost of an Olympic bid, it also foresees a consultation period with potential candidates before their official submission of a bid to ensure no city drops out after bidding" (REUTERS, 12/7). The AFP reported the proposed reforms "will allow 2018 and 2020 Games hosts Pyeongchang and Tokyo to change the venues and sports for their events." Bach said that the reforms will allow "new regions" of the world to bid for the Olympic Games. He added that the IOC is "already having talks" with South Korean organizers of the 2018 Winter Olympics and the "Japanese hosts of the 2020 Summer Games on changes that will be possible if the reforms pass on Monday and Tuesday." Bach: "There will be project reviews in both organizing cities in January and February to follow up on this and to see what the 2020 agenda means for their organizations" (AFP, 12/6).
2024 BID SCHEDULE SET: The AP reported the IOC set the timeline on Saturday for bidding for the 2024 Olympics, "a race that could include contenders" from the U.S., Germany, Italy, France and other countries. Prospective contenders "must submit their candidacies" by Sept. 15, "starting a preliminary application phase that will run through April or May 2016" (AP, 12/6). The AFP reported IOC members are "increasingly confident that Paris will bid for the 2024 Olympics." One IOC member said, "We expect Paris to be a candidate." That member added that it is expected that French President Francois Hollande will "overcome opposition from the mayor of the French capital." Another source "close to the Olympic leadership" said that when Hollande met Thomas Bach last week he "indicated" that a bid was likely (AFP, 12/7).
RIO 2016: The AP's Stephen Wilson reported the IOC and Brazilian organizers confirmed Friday that the competition schedule "includes late-night sessions in the two sports" -- swimming finals running from 10pm local time to midnight, and "some beach volleyball matches starting at midnight on Copacabana Beach." The times are "geared toward NBC's night-time coverage" in the U.S., as well as Brazilian TV's "tradition of showing sports events at late hours." Rio will be "one hour ahead of Eastern Daylight Time during the Games." The IOC exec board "also praised Rio's progress in tackling the delays that had put the Olympics at risk a few months ago." IOC Exec Dir Christophe Dubi said, "I'm 100 percent confident that we will get the venues that we need ready in time. There is nothing today where we say, ‘Whoa, this test event is at risk,’ or, for that matter, the Games." Swimming and beach volleyball, "meanwhile, are going for late-night competition" (AP, 12/5).
