Sochi 2014 CEO Says Dubai Has 'Sporting Chance' To Host Summer Olympics

Sochi 2014 Olympic Organising Committee CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko said that Dubai, UAE has a "sporting chance" of hosting the Olympics despite its harsh climate, according to Ben Flanagan of THE NATIONAL. Dubai is "expected to bid" for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Chernyshenko predicted such an event will be held in the Arabian Gulf. He said, "Nothing is impossible - even a subtropical city can host the Winter Games. My prediction is that the Olympics will come here to the [Arabian Gulf] region. It's up for the [International Olympic Committee] to decide, but I'm sure that the boundaries will be extended. And then, to Africa." He added that Qatar's plans for the FIFA World Cup 2022 will "set a precedent" for such events in this region. Chernyshenko: "When Qatar demonstrates that they can handle the challenge of the natural heat, it will really open the doors for the rest of the events" (THE NATIONAL, 12/17).