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Q: But is that what the IOC really wants more of? What the IOC WANTS and what it has to choose from is often 2 very different things....

I have been to Almaty- it is a really beautiful city (it was the Soviets 'Eastern' showcase city, Berlin being the 'Western' showcase city). In winter it would be magic.

Almaty is way above the Ukraine- it has hosted major events like World Expo and the Asian Winter Games. It has a GDP per person three times bigger than Ukraine and Ukraine has Russian troops on the border after Russia took a slice of the country! Kazakhstan has endless fossil fuel wealth and a dictator- perfect for the Olympics!

I know I've poked fun at the idea of a double allocation in the past, but I agree this seems like a real possibility. 2030 is Sapporo's if they can get support for it (easier said than done), and then Salt Lake is right behind them for 2034 which the USOPC will likely appreciate even though the SLC folks might not be as happy. And that'll be a huge boon for American TV rights if the first Games of the new contract is on US snow and ice.

Burleigh Heads is probably the next most likely location.

Despite its name Surfers Paradise is a pretty mediocre beach for surfing but they could have surfing in Coolangatta (Snapper Rocks) where the Quicksilver Pro is held in non-pandemic times (the Tokyo gold medalist Italo Ferreira won it last time it was held) and is not far from my home!

if only there was a great surfing spot nearby.. perhaps a paradise for surfers? nah that will never work

I wasn't too taken with the surfing in Tokyo but how can Queensland not have it?! There's literally Surfers Paradise there

Lucky you!

Exactly my point.

From what I've seen, it's sometime "early next year". Haven't seen anything more specific than that. So, in that sense, I can still see Sapporo being moved to 'targeted dialog', along with SLC, sometime around Beijing 2022. And then 'wait-&-see' what those "public opinion surveys" have to say, to determine if SLC then becomes 'preferred candidate' for 2030, or if a 'double' 30/34 is on the horizon.

That's my thinking, as well. Of course the counter argument can be made, as others have, that the IOC doesn't have to worry about 2034 right now. That they have 3 years to do that. But the flip-side here, is wouldn't it be very comforting to them to have solid, "safe" hosts locked-in now for the next 15 years instead (especially in this current world of uncertainly)? That was the validation to award Brisbane so far in advance. And I also agree, the IOC ain't waiting 'til 2023 to award 2030, either. There's way too much "continuous dialog" going on right now to think it's just only for a "wait-&-see" tactic. Some form of (direct or indirect) decision is coming relatively soon, with either for 2030 alone, or a double with 30/34 in mind.

I agree and Sapporo 2030 or 2034 now hangs on the result of the public survey in the new year of Sapporo residents that they have committed to hold in accordance with the IOC’s New Norm procedures. If the majority of Sapporo residents support a winter olympics, then full steam ahea. If they vote No, then a Sapporo winter games candidature abruptly ends then and there.

Well, the problem is that, apart from Sapporo and SLC, there isn't necessarily a good option for 2034 that exists, even in the hypothetical, and while one could emerge within the next few years, the more pressing issue is that while SLC and the USOPC are more than willing to take 2034, unless Sapporo steps up in the next 6 months for 2030, then the IOC is going to have to pull the trigger on SLC for 2030 which leaves them hoping that either Sapporo steps up for 2034 or some other good option for 2034 does emerge. Right now, my guess is that the IOC would happily award a double to Sapporo & SLC if they can get Sapporo on board. If not, then I expect we'll see SLC awarded 2030 next summer. I don't see the IOC holding out until their 2023 session to make the 2030 decision.

Especially now there are only two compulsory sports.

Good. I've said for a long time that I'm against an athlete boycott, but I'm all for the IOC being made uncomfortable. They created this mess, so they have to deal with it

I mean, IOC should wait and see how thing develop, because you may end up in a 2024 scenario where if sapporo wants 2030 or none, and slc is very open for 2034, and you select very early on SLC, you'll end up with no bids in 2034. So yeah, SLC may probably just secured its rights to host olympics in a future, but the year is an important question for the survival of the winter olympics.

Actually, from news reports, Beijing officials are pretty pissed-off about it. Saying that by pulling this, Quote “it’s a travesty of the Olympic spirit, it is political provocation, and an ‘offense’ to 1.4 Billion Chinese people. If the U.S. is insistent on going down the ‘wrong path’, China will take necessary and resolute countermeasures”. End quote So in other words, you can expect tit-for-tat at L.A. 2028 (& possibly SLC 2030/34). Which, in the end, results in meaningless diplomatic drama (like it did for Moscow 1980 & L.A. 1984).

Choosing the worst colour is your best chance at visibility for home TV audiences. I am surprised we haven't tried sequins or blinking LEDs on cowboy hats.

"We were pleased to have president Bach join us, 'he is such a wonderful human being' in terms of his warmth." Bullock told reporters following the meeting. Uhmmm, I think a few around here would quite disagree!

There were people (not here, but still vocal on social media) that still thought a week before the opening ceremony in Tokyo that the Olympics wouldn't happen. In the same vein, we can be sure that RWB will be pushing his boycott theories until the last possible minute. But then again, he's a lethal combo of trolling and stupid, so there's that

Looks like this is starting to gain traction again.. Diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing expected to be announced Cue RWB telling us how this is going to turn into a full boycott in 3.. 2.. 1...

Sometimes I think the Germans do a poll to find the ugliest colour- and then use it on their Olympic outfits. Tokyo was horrible as well....

LOL, caption says „Beijing 2023“. Maybe they know more already ;-)

This. Absolutely this. And that is so important to remember here.

Uhm, no. It's presenting facts, which clearly don't line up with your "OMG, the sky is falling!" prognosis. There isn't any reason to believe, based on France's ability and willingness to host two JGP events back-to-back in August, with at least as many participants as will be participating at Worlds in March, that Worlds will be any different. Of course, I acknowledged in my post that we don't know what will happen yet with Omnicron but if it's like Delta, then I'm fairly confident in stating that Worlds will be held. The decision to postpone the GPF/JGPF was made because the Japanese government couldn't figure out what it would allow/not allow with regard to non-citizens entering the country to compete in a strictly controlled bubble in a timely fashion this week. And it was only earlier today that they finally decided that Japanese athletes returning from training overseas to participate in upcoming national championships in various sports would be allowed to continue training at sports venues while quarantining for the mandatory 14 days. Only time will tell whether or not the Japanese government made a knee-jerk decision to ban all international travelers from entering the country for the month of December, but I'll be blunt - if the GPF/JGPF were scheduled for any other country save Korea or China - it would be going forward next week as scheduled. Other countries are proceeding as normal with regard to international sporting events this week and next week despite WHO declaring Omnicron a "variant of interest".

And like Jakarta, Cairo is a very polluted & congested mess. Hence, why they're moving their capitals.

absolutely agreed, for those reasons, and the bid frankly speaking, was excellent. Nice and compact setup, and it would have given an opportunity to really ramp up some infrastructure projects in Almaty. Better economy, not on Russia's "ish" list, autocratic stability, have hosted events before, didnt lose to China by much (thankful it did though, China's earned this game in spades), wouldn't need a "from scratch" effort that Ukraine would. Its five or six notches above Ukraine. If the likely event Sapporo gets scuttled, which I absolutely do not want to see but understand the reality of the situation, it is a pretty good option in the new reality of the WOGs. Especially if no European nation besides Ukraine is sincerely interested.

My thoughts exactly. China has what I imagine is an almost unlimited set of resources to keep everyone safe from COVID. We saw that was very effective in Tokyo. Remains to be seen what happens if athletes or anyone else test positive, but that Tokyo managed to award every medal that was scheduled, we can be sure China will be driven to do the same.

Borjing? That's the dumbest thing i've ever heard.

All athletes and stakeholders entering China for the Winter Olympics (remember, no international fans and limited support people) already have to follow strict safety rules and will exist virtually in a bubble for the duration with frequent testing and mandatory vaccination. Other than athletes who may not be able to compete because of close contact or other risk - I think the impact will be minimal like it was in Tokyo.

/\/\ That's you wishing it will just go away. But we know that the virus-- any virus -- does not recognize anyone else's boundaries or calendar. Better safe than sorry. Except for those retiring from a competitive career, there's always next season.

Good to see you, especially impressive because I @ed the wrong you - sorry, I'll remember the II next time

That seems possible as like a post COVID-19 pandemic era for the 2032 Olympics.

What's Borjing? There is zero chance the Olympics are affected. Japan had their Olympics. Because of that, China will refuse to let theirs be affected. Yes, the ISU Worlds could be in danger. Any event with less resources than the Olympics (which is just about everything) might have to re-think things. But it's too early to talk about signs. Omicron has some people freaking out, but as more and more people get vaccinated, I don't think it'll be a major issue after a month or so

I know someone probably said this already but screw the IOC and screw Thomas Bach. Part of me hopes things get even worse so they're finaly completely cornered and forced to make changes if they want to survive in the current era.

Glasgow to host World Indoor Athletics Championships in 2024 Another event for Glasgow to build on the legacy of 2014 https://news.stv.tv/sport/glasgow-to-host-world-indoor-athletics-championships-in-2024?fbclid=IwAR2TYsT7mhXcMowDLO-VdF6jlvLvUkjy5osK465UpFFFncjsM3x50NnpFKk&top

Gina Rinehart calls for more places to moor her yacht by Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games Won't somebody think of the super rich and their super yachts!

Thats pretty much the ultimate super mega happy ending. I really hope it goes down like that. Ill be cracking some of the good stuff if thats how it goes down, thats exactly how I want to see it. Really want Japan to surprise me here.

After the Chinese WTA tournaments being cancelled two years in a row and dismal attendance every year before that this seems like a very convenient out for the WTA. The previous WTA CEO really gambled too big on developing tennis in China leaving the current CEO with a big mess.

A lot of the people on social media complaining about NBC's coverage clearly did the bare minimum in terms of figuring out where events would air and just assumed that Peacock would have everything. Shame on NBC for probably being intentionally vague, but Peacock was never going to be the solution for everyone in terms of live coverage. And the best stuff they had was actually on the free version of the platform with various studio shows and live coverage in the mornings of gymnastics and track and field that NBC did little to publicize. From what I've read, NBC has plans to re-imagine Peacock around the start of February because of all the issues with Tokyo. Supposedly the plan is for much more streaming on Peacock, with most events live and in full with ads. My hope is that won't affect what they have on the NBC Sports App where everything is normally accessible if you have a cable subscription. As long as that's unchanged, let them do whatever they want with Peacock. Obviously a lot fewer events during the Winter Olympics than the Summer, so that'll be a lot easier to manage

How Brisbane snubbed the Gold Coast in Olympic power play

I predict the IOC will announce a WOG TRIPLE awarding soon: 2030 - Salt Lake City 2034 - Salt Lake City 2038 - Salt Lake City!!

Does the summary include also the number of dead workers per stadium?

I knew it! He can’t be a bad bloke if he supports the Tigers!

What on God’s earth could make you possibly think that everyone didn’t know the rules in advance ? It was announced to the world 3 years ago. Let me repeat that ……… it was announced to the world 3 years ago. 3 years in advance of the point in time when the Candidature from Brisbane was elevated. I fully agree with you that the system will very likely need tweaking at some point because the changes have been so major.

Perhaps you should ask them.