Sir Rols

Well, they’re all part of the super rich masters if the universe milieu At least their expensive hobby us the Olympics, rather than building private spacecraft

He’d be a shoo-in for the 32 Para OC, even if he is more famous here for Spicks and Specks than The Last Leg

And they’re actually spending big on the bid Ambani’s Big Bet on India’s Olympic Dream: A Game-Changer for 2036 and Beyond

Quite a few actually, including Coventry, Samaranch, Infantino, Bach…

For all the talk about 36, the Europeans seem to be hedging their bets and talking more towards 2040. The Germans certainly seem to be leaning that way, the news reports of Italy this week all mention 2040 more, and I see Samaranch this week has mentioned Spain aiming towards 40. I think they’re resigned to 36 going elsewhere (but are arming themselves to step in to the 36 breach if the opportunity presents). I agree India’s momentum appears to be fading. That said, I don’t think Ahmedabad’s facilities need proving - they were full steam ahead already before the Commies got approved. CWGs 2030 could be more of a test event to fine tune if they get the nod for 36. Depends how much debt Kirsty is in to the Ambanis. I still wouldn’t write-off Doha. Current hostilities will blow over soon enough (unless the Orange cvnt puts boots on the ground - which admittedly you can’t rule out whatever stupid thing he could do. Probably depends if the news cycle gets bored with Iran and the focus shifts back to the Epstein files). I personally still think Doha’s in pole position. It all depends, timing wise, when Kirsty’s Fit for Future review surfaces and what it brings. Hopefully we’ll see in June. If they stick with the current “New Norm” behind closed doors host selection, it’s likely good news for Doga and India’s chances. If they go back to some sort of vote for the hosts, the European’s hopes for 36 will rise.

I doubt they have an IF yet, or enough national federations on each continent to aspire. I think it’s a safe bet though to assume the Irving progeny - Bindi and Rob - will feature somewhere in the ceremonies or as games Ambassadors. He’s in his 80s now. Probably enjoying retirement.

I don’t love the logo, but I don’t hate it either. It remains to be seen how it’s applied dynamically during the games and in broadcasts, snd how it meshes within the overall “Look”. It’s got the potential to be special, but might also become distracting. I never thought of that. You’re right, it’ll definitely boost the collectibles range snd revenues.

Donald Trump ‘really does not care’ if Iran play at World Cup 2026 What’s the bet he asks Infantino to invite Israel instead?

What I’ve always liked about the Mexico logo is it’s one of the few logos that really feels of it’s time - it really does have a groovy swinging 60’s vibe to it, to me at least.

To be fair, they do play the occasional “international” against Ireland, but I think it’s some weird Australian-Gaelic football hybrid. But what would I know - I’m a Sydneysider who considers AFL a weird Melbourne obsession. More seriously, Duncan Mackay had an interesting aside in his piece last week about trimming the winter sports: More consideration will be given in the future to sports that are popular in the territories that are hosting the Olympics. That is why, despite the plans to reduce the number of sports at Brisbane 2032, cricket will almost certainly be included for its second consecutive appearance in the Games following its reintroduction at LA28. Netball, too, could have a strong case, but lacrosse and squash should probably make the most of their moments in the sun at LA28. Cricket I don’t think anybody would be surprised by. Netball sounds fair enough too - though it’s one of the few sports where the women’s side is far more dominant t than any men’s competition d.

According to the Politico article, CONI’s looking at Rome

Ask, and you may get… Italy loved the Olympics so much it wants to host them again

Andrew Dillon reveals AFL’s Olympic-sized ambitions for Brisbane 2032

Every new edition of the games comes out shinier than what went before, and Milano-Cortiba’s coverage was simply next level - 4K, mostly great weather against a spectacular Alpine backdrop, the breathtaking drone footage (and am I right in thinking they even managed to muffle down the drone buzz by the second week?). A stunning broadcast achievement. It’s great that @Brekkie Boy was so taken by it. That’s what you want. Each new edition entrancing the audience and reawakening a passion for the games or sparking a new love for them by those just starting to become acquainted with them. For myself, as I’ve mentioned, they didn’t give me the same magic, wonder and joy that Lillehammer, Vancouver or even Sochi (before the grim reality behind it irredeemably tainted it) gave me, but I put that on me rather than the games themselves.

I was trying to find my own pic, but got this off the internet instead. The Olympic Eishalle is still used in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Honestly, GO FOR IT! Travel broadens perspectives annd all that, Britain is not THAT huge a cultural leap to make, and you’re young - seize the experience.

They’d have to go too. “Imagine there’s no countries” But that’s the point. Nobody would care for them if they didn’t have all the national trappings.

Tally’s are all just national flexing. I guess the IOC just gave up, realising resistance is futile when everyone did it anyway. if the IOC was serious about internationalism, they’d take a leaf out of the Universiades and have people competing as individuals, not as national reps. Of course, then they’d be as popular as the Universiades.

That was a really wonderful volunteer’s-eye-view of the experience. Thank you. I don’t know about transferring the discussion, though. The new thread loses a lot of the very interesting debates and points that have already been going on in this one. Sure, it’s off topic, but there’s no other use for a live chat thread now. It’s good wherever we can get discussions and debates flowing, rather than cutting them off to force them elsewhere and losing the flow.

It’s not really the Olympics role, though, to combat wealth inequality*. Its idealistic aim is rather to promote internationalism, togetherness, dialogue etc. Even then I often find it jarring that this festival of peace and internationalism, also adopts so many trappings of hypernationalism - flags, anthems, competitive medal tally’s etc. * Actually, one of the great Baron de Courbetin’s stated roles for the Olympics was to toughen up French youth so they wouldn’t capitulate to the Germans again

People I’ve known who’ve volunteered for the games have described it as the time of their lives and have no regrets. I’d like to hear from some of them in this discussion. @TorchbearerSydney? @Victorian? Or I know @Bear is mad keen for volunteering for ‘28. You’re right. It is a bourgeois privilege. So is digging village wells in Africa or going to build schools in the south Pacifuc or whatever. I actually looked into signing up for one of those wells in Africa programs once when I felt a need to get away from everything for a while - it;s actually quite expensive to sign up for one of those programs. It really is a middle class virtue cosplay adventure travel. And if we’re talking about bourgeois, so is most elite sport. You really have to have the money if you want to apply yourself seriously. And we’ve just had the Winter Games, the most elitist of them all. Unless you’re perhaps Norwegian or Canadian, the whole roster is just pastimes for middle class kids whose parents can support their hobbies in snow resorts. Someone asked during the games why Argentinians of Chileans, with their mountains, weren’t more represented at the games. And as my Chileno partner put it to me many times: “We can’t afford to go to the resorts, much less buy the gear or take the time off to actually practice these things. Only the really rich might.” When it comes to egalitarian sports, it’s probably only football, running and boxing where kids in favelas or shantytowns or kampongs can actually dream of getting out of their poverty cycle. And in most of those cases, it’s still mostly just a fairytale.

And ironically (I don’t know if this was mentioned in the video - I haven’t watched it), ten pin bowls has also featured in the commies - at KL ‘98. And I think it’s been in the Asian Games.

Okay, yes indeed. I didn’t realise they didn’t get accomodation. I agree that should be a minimum perk.

Exactly, and there’s still people lining up to do it.

lol, looks like where having the discussion here after all. I do get where you’re coming from. The Olympics are a multi-billlion dollar entertainment franchise whose business plan relies on Government subsidies and guarantees and volunteers. So I guess the questions are: why are governments prepared to underwrite the games? and why do thousands of people offer their services for free to them? The first depends on the country and government, but prestige, the “feel good” public morale factor, urban renewal etc would all come into it. For the second, I’d guess that many people find the games inspiring and exciting and really want to be part of it, or want to travel, or want their nation to show it’s best face to the world. Core OCOG staff do indeed have paying jobs, and the paid workforce rises over the years as one gets closer to the games. But it’s only in the actual games fortnight, or the week or two either side, where the demand explodes for an essentially unskilled auxiliary workforce to take on essentially temporary tasks. Most of the roles do not require any special skills or qualifications - though multiple languages might help. They’re for things like welcoming visitors at airports and around the city, providing information, running errands around d the village and venues. I’m not sure if there’s any commercial organisation in any country that could provide such numbers of essentially at call dogsbodies for such short term roles for a fee. I suppose you could scour employment agencies, but it’s still a tough call for trying to put together a reliable and motivated workforce for a two-week gig. Volunteers, on the other hand, there’s usually, if not always, more people that apply for the gig than finally get accepted. And they/re usually exactly the type if people that an OCOG wants to show their best face - motivated, excited, keen to please, willing to put in more hours than a paid flunky. in the games I’ve travelled to, I’ve always made a point and enjoyed talking to the volunteers. All I’ve spoken to gave been friendly to a fault, super enthusiastic, and keen to share their excitement and enthusiasm with visitors. They WANT to be there, not just forced to for money. Truly, truly lovely people. And I really do think they are huge part of what makes a games “succeed” or not. I’m not sure if that would be the case if they were just paid jobbers in for a quick buck. Do I think volunteers should get more perks - tickets and merch snd such? Hell yeah. I know we’ve got more than a few members here who gave been volunteers, and it would be good to get their point of view. I’ve got nothing but admiration for their dedication.