Future Olympics in Qatar: Potential Effects of the Bid Proposal
The race for the 2036 Summer Olympics is heating up, with Qatar joining the fray as a potential host. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is currently evaluating bids from several countries, including Qatar, India, Turkey, Indonesia, and others.
Qatar's bid is bolstered by its recent experience in hosting large-scale international events, such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This experience has demonstrated the country's ability to manage complex logistics and infrastructure, aligning well with one of the key criteria the IOC considers - existing sports infrastructure. Qatar claims to have around 95% of the required sports infrastructure already in place and a comprehensive national plan to ensure 100% readiness of its venues.
However, Qatar faces strong competition. India, for instance, is considered less viable due to the current heat, doping issues, and poor results in competition. Indonesia, too, is a contender, but its position is uncertain. Turkey, with its status as a major country, bid history, booming economy, and being a Muslim country, is also a strong contender. Istanbul, in particular, is seen as a formidable opponent.
The IOC is placing greater emphasis on member engagement and transparency in the selection process. Newly elected IOC President Kirsty Coventry has expressed a desire for members to be more involved in the selection process. This shift could potentially impact Qatar's bid, as the validity of popular support in Qatar is questionable due to the large migrant population.
The IOC prioritizes political and popular support over venues, but the political aspect of an Olympic Games differs from a football World Cup. The 2034 World Cup is already confirmed to be in Saudi Arabia, which might prompt them to host an Olympics soon after. However, Saudi Arabia would likely be prevented from hosting the Olympics for many years if Qatar wins the bid, due to the IOC's geopolitical and regional balance criteria.
The final decision on the 2036 Olympics host is expected to be delayed until 2027 for a thorough review of the host selection process. During this time, Qatar will need to navigate the evolving criteria and competition to secure the coveted spot.
Hosting the Olympics in Qatar would likely have to be in November, similar to the 2022 World Cup, to avoid the scorching summer heat. Despite years of criticism, the World Cup was held in Qatar, suggesting that the country is capable of overcoming challenges and delivering a successful event.
In conclusion, Qatar's bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics is a complex balancing act. The country's existing infrastructure and organisational capabilities, demonstrated by its successful hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, are strong assets. However, Qatar must also address concerns about human rights, popular support, and competition from other bids to secure the Olympics. The final decision will be made in 2027, after a thorough review of the host selection process.
- The race for hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics involves several countries, such as Qatar, India, Turkey, Indonesia, and others, from different continents like Africa, Asia, and America.
- Qatar's bid for the Olympics is backed by its proven experience in hosting large-scale international events, as evidenced by the FIFA World Cup held in the country in 2022.
- The IOC is placing more focus on member engagement and transparency, which might affect Qatar's bid due to questionable popular support in the country.
- The 2034 World Cup is set for Saudi Arabia, and there may be a possibility for another sporting event, possibly the Olympics, to follow soon afterward, depending on the bids.
- Hosting the Olympics in Qatar might necessitate scheduling the games in November to avoid the summer heat, as was the case with the 2022 World Cup, indicating that the country can overcome challenges and deliver successful events.
