Kenadian Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 As we know, the Olympic Winter Games began in small ski resorts. Eight of the first 13 host communities were very small towns. And before the 1980s, Sapporo was the only 1 million plus community to host the Games. Innsbruck, Grenoble, and Oslo were next largest, in the 100K to 500K range. In recent decades, the Olympic Winter Games have grown in scope and attention. Since the 1980s, there have only been two small under 100K population communities play host to the Games. And the three host cities between 2002 and 2010 have each supplanted the previous one as the largest host ever, and the 2014 host has over 300K. VANOC has a staff of 1,300, needs 1,500 short term employees, and some 35,000 Games-time employees and volunteers to welcome 2500 athletes, hundreds of officials, and thousands of visitors and journalists. That's a lot of people! So with the Winter Games now this big, is it still possible for small communities of under 100K to organize and deliver Games that meet the needs of the IOC, the athletes, International Federations, sponsors, broadcasters, and the viewing public? Or will the Games find themselves forever rotating between a select crew of larger communities supported by a nearby mountain resort?
Roux Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 I'm thinking no. Now that there's hockey for both men and women, then curling, speed skating, and the oh so popular figure skating, the host city needs a decent amount of stadia in the area. Although, the environmental requirements (snow, mountains, etc.) kinda prevent the winter games from being in too big cities.
NYCD 2012 Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 The next smallest cities I can see hosting would be Pyongchang (About 45000) and perhaps Östersund/Falun for Swedes or Tromsø or a 2nd Lillehamme bid for Norway. Georgia's Borjormi & Spain's Jaca wouldn't work as both bid featured venues outside the towns, in Tibilisi and Zaragoza repectively.
NYCD 2012 Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 Although, I might add the smallest town to host a games is Squaw Valley in 1960. It was a town with no mayor, and claimed one ski resort with only one chairlift, two rope tows, and a fifty-room lodge. Amazing how it won. Too bad it won't work today.
Faster Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 The next smallest cities I can see hosting would be Pyongchang (About 45000) and perhaps Östersund/Falun for Swedes or Tromsø or a 2nd Lillehamme bid for Norway. Georgia's Borjormi & Spain's Jaca wouldn't work as both bid featured venues outside the towns, in Tibilisi and Zaragoza repectively. Tromso doesn't have a chance, Trondheim is a possiblity.
Kenadian Posted October 13, 2009 Author Report Posted October 13, 2009 Squaw Valley (now I believe it is called Olympic Valley) was practically purpose-built for the 1960 Games. Don't think anything like that will happen again.
wingspread Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 Squaw Valley (now I believe it is called Olympic Valley) was practically purpose-built for the 1960 Games. Don't think anything like that will happen again. Oh, kind of like Sochi, right?
Kenadian Posted October 13, 2009 Author Report Posted October 13, 2009 Haha! I was thinking that when I typed, but the difference is of course that Sochi at least has a population base of 300K to support its workforce.
4gamesandcounting Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 Lillehammer hosted a practically full programme (for the ice sports just no curling) and is highly regarded as being a great small town games. It had great transport links back to Oslo for people to visit for the day / a few days. I wouldn't say its gone. There is a 2/3 chance a small town will be hosting 2018! It's just going to happen less and less.
olympian Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 i'd like to see another small town winter games. any chances that sion might bid again? 2006 was destined but some ioc decided to punish the swiss for its role in the bribery scandal.
Sir Rols Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 I think I'm with London2012 on this. It (small town WOGs) will probably happen, but tend to be more the exception than the rule from now on. I'm still hoping Ostersund's the next one of those to get that honour!
oakydoky Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 If a small town were to host the winter Olympics I hope that it is a Scandinavian city just because that part of the world has this magical winter culture which absolutely works with the unique qualities of the winter Olympics. If you have read Tromso's bid it was really great. Sadly, they puled out of the bidding but it totally encapsulates the 'wintery' feel that is so special. I can understand the IOC's decisions to go for bigger cities - especially if they are the only ones bidding. Munich is a good example to me of a large metropolis which has the quaint qualities to enhance the winter games so is a good synthesis of big city with a heart suited to the games. Salt Lake also did this well in my opinion. Turin, whilst stunning in terms of it's architecture and venues, felt a little austere and I think a lot of people on these boards picked up on that and hence why people are longing for a return to the good old days of Lillehammer etc.
NY20?? Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 Turin, whilst stunning in terms of it's architecture and venues, felt a little austere and I think a lot of people on these boards picked up on that and hence why people are longing for a return to the good old days of Lillehammer etc. I don’t know if I would call Torino 2006 austere, it defiantly had that Italian flare, but it seemed like - and I’ve always heard this - that the atmosphere felt spread out too thin over a region and not concentrated on a definite area. The proportions of the size of the Games to the host felt off. I worry that this will be the case again next year in Vancouver, and would continue to be the case if the Winter Games keep going back to relatively (by Winter Games history standards) large cities with the snow events a distance away, regardless of culture or like of winter sport. Salt Lake seemed to reach the right balance of size and compactness of venues.
4gamesandcounting Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 I don’t know if I would call Torino 2006 austere, it defiantly had that Italian flare, but it seemed like - and I’ve always heard this - that the atmosphere felt spread out too thin over a region and not concentrated on a definite area. The proportions of the size of the Games to the host felt off. I worry that this will be the case again next year in Vancouver, and would continue to be the case if the Winter Games keep going back to relatively (by Winter Games history standards) large cities with the snow events a distance away, regardless of culture or like of winter sport. Salt Lake seemed to reach the right balance of size and compactness of venues. I think Vancouver has that central downtown hub where there will be all the livesites, ceremonies, lots of hotels, Hockey etc which means it'll work well. Whistler will also have a great atmosphere I think.
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