Moroccan Official Eyes Casablanca 2028 Olympic Bid

[GBModerator]

Morocco World News reports that Moncef Belkhayat, the former Sports and Youth Minister, has vowed to bring the Olympic Games to Casablanca if he was elected president of the Grand Casablanca region in the upcoming municipal and regional elections. Calling  his proposal to host the 2028 Games serious, Belkhayat said, “I have studied cities like […]

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[LatinXTC]

I know most people will consider Casablanca a longshot for an African bid compared to Durban, but I find a Casablanca as an African bid far more sexier than Durban. Security will probably be its biggest challenge for a bid since they've had attacks from suicide bombers for years now.

[zekekelso]

London and Tokyo have suffered from terrorist attacks. Durban has had hoards of machette whelding gansters threatening to kill foreigners.

There are many, many reasons Casablanca won't host. Terroristm fears shouldn't be one of them. But if Im wrong...

I can see it now. After a successful games in France for 2024, Casablanca will be awarded the 2028 games. Rising costs and corruption, however, will lead to the games imploding, destroying the IOC and modern Olympic movement. At that point, one corrupt IOC member will turn to another and console them with the importal words....

[FYI]

but I find a Casablanca as an African bid far more sexier than Durban.

Not me. North Africa is nothing like Sub-Saharan Africa & by perception (whether right or wrong), a Moroccan bid would be much more Middle Eastern than an "African" one. Istanbul would be a much, much better choice & would offer the best narrative in that category. South Africa (& in particular, Durban) would be a much better fit if we're truly gonna be talking about an 'African' Olympics, IMHO.

[Nacre]

Not me. North Africa is nothing like Sub-Saharan Africa & by perception (whether right or wrong), a Moroccan bid would be much more Middle Eastern than an "African" one. Istanbul would be a much, much better choice & would offer the best narrative in that category. South Africa (& in particular, Durban) would be a much better fit if we're truly gonna be talking about an 'African' Olympics, IMHO.

It's not just an outsider view either. My aunt currently lives in Morocco and based on my admittedly limited experience in the country, Moroccans self-identify as Arabs rather than Africans. (The Berber and Taureg ethnic minorities might see things differently, though.) The same thing is true in Egypt. The ethnic and cultural sphere of Arabian world is more important than the geographic continent. I can't say for sure for the other countries of North Africa as I've never been there.

I would love to compare the differences in identity between the New World multi-ethnic empires-in-all-but-name with the nation states of Europe and how we have forced the Westphalian model of statehood on African countries whose cultures don't really support that model. But this is probably not the place for that discussion.

Back on topic: there's never been a Middle Eastern Olympics either, so Morocco would still be a new frontier.

[FYI]

there's never been a Middle Eastern Olympics either, so Morocco would still be a new frontier.

Like I mentioned earlier, Istanbul fits that bill much better. Much more of a narrative there than Casablanca. Plus, the economy in Turkey is much bigger than Morocco's.

[baron-pierreIV]

Just what Durban needs to get a move on it...

[Dakooo]

Why does everybody love Durban on these forums? Has anyone done a great analysis on it or are we all just assuming that the Africa card will win it for them?

[baron-pierreIV]

Has anyone done a great analysis on it or are we all just assuming that the Africa card will win it for them?

Both. And what would be your other viable candidates--realistically?

[Dakooo]

Durban (or any South African city) has a big draw card with it being in Africa and not having a bad economy (which pretty much constitutes not being a 3rd world country). But I think a lot of people here just assume that the games will go to SA, without much information on it. I'd really like to see some plans for Durban, Cape Town and Johanessburg. But I've counted to many times the phrase "2028 will go Durban" has been written without much proof.

And to answer your question, I think the loser continent of 2024 (North America/Europe) will bid as well as a few Asian cities. Throw in some wild shits and a doomed Brisbane bid and you've got a good race. But I think speculating before the bid before has ended is pointless, because so much can change in so much time.

Whoops, spelt wild shots wrong. Sorry (kinda funny though).

[FYI]

I think the loser continent of 2024 (North America/Europe) will bid as well as a few Asian cities. Throw in some wild shots and a doomed Brisbane bid and you've got a good race. But I think speculating before the bid before has ended is pointless, because so much can change in so much time.

Isn't that what you're doing here, though, "speculating" about 2028? But if you think that's 'pointless' discussion, then you're in the wrong place entirely, cuz these Olympic bid forums are all about "speculating". But the major difference is having hypothetical speculation versus just right outta your a$s "wild shot" speculation. Yes, a lot can change during a bid race, but usually the top bids that most objective people have been speculating on are usually the ones that wind up winning those respective bid campaigns.

Besides, in this case an article was posted here about Morocco (which is a country in Africa) possibly making a bid for 2028. Then someone else followed by making a comparison about it with Durban. Were they saying that either Durban or Casablanca were gonna win 2028? No, they weren't. They merely were stating their preference about it (as was I), as to which one of those two would make a more appealing African case. Absolutely nothing to do with bids from elsewhere.

So instead of questioning other people's opinions with has their been "great analysis done on it or proof" (boy, sounds like tactics from a former member here), you should instead read up on several of these archive threads to get a lot of those 'great analysis', especially when you've been here less than month, so you have A LOT of tea-leaf reading to catch up on.

[Dakooo]

I probably should rephrase myself.

Even though I just did speculate, I don't like speculating 2 bids in advance mainly because we can only go up to rough continents. Sure, Casablanca have announced they're bidding and a few other countries have aswell, but these can change very easily. I mean speculating on a bid being decided in 2021 isn't gonna be that accurate.

And you're right, I do need to do some tea leaf reading. And this thread has gone really off-topic.

[baron-pierreIV]

I probably should rephrase myself.

Even though I just did speculate, I don't like speculating 2 bids in advance mainly because we can only go up to rough continents. Sure, Casablanca have announced they're bidding and a few other countries have aswell, but these can change very easily. I mean speculating on a bid being decided in 2021 isn't gonna be that accurate.

And you're right, I do need to do some tea leaf reading. And this thread has gone really off-topic.

If cities like Casablanca now announce that will try for 2028, then one can also speculate as to who will and who won't bid for whatever cycle -- esp. if you've been following this business for over 2 decades. You really only have a handful of cities to watch and that will actually bid. It's not like you have ONE HUNDRED cities to pick from...

And then you have cities from the last 2 or 3 continents (except Europe) that just hosted the Games whose chances for the next round are ZERO; so you can quickly eliminate those. So, really there are only 3 or 4 cities to seriously consider per round and gotta read in-between the lines to narrow it even further down realistically.

[Faiyez]

I'll be rooting for any bid to compete against a South African one, only because the sole prospect of having to hear vuvuzuelas again during football matches makes me want to claw at my eardrums.

[Rob2012]

The South African forumers who pass by now and then seem certain that Durban is the only choice their country will go with. It's being prepped for that, with the Commonwealth Games in 22, an already existing 'Olympic' Stadium (temporary seating will be added as with Rio's). All signs point to Durban as South Africa's bid.

Can another African city compete with this? Remains to be seen.

[Roger87]

Durban (or any South African city) has a big draw card with it being in Africa and not having a bad economy (which pretty much constitutes not being a 3rd world country). But I think a lot of people here just assume that the games will go to SA, without much information on it. I'd really like to see some plans for Durban, Cape Town and Johanessburg. But I've counted to many times the phrase "2028 will go Durban" has been written without much proof.

Since the beginning, many posters (Including some South African posters and myself) made analysis related to Durban. Beside zeke's annonying delusion of negativity, we made rational points based on facts like geography, history, infrastructure and political will in South Africa:

One of them you can see there: http://www.gamesbids.com/forums/topic/23482-durban-202428/page-27

Resume:

Weather: Durban is the only city (Close to the sea btw) with considerable condictions to make the events, comparing Cape Town and Johannesburg

Topograhy: Jo-burg is too high (Above the sea) and it's a dry plateau. Since Mexico City's criticism for high altitude, Jo-burg will be a huge risk.

Cultural Aspect: Jo-burg is an economic motor, but the city was founded in the legacy of Apartheid regime. Cape Town is the heart of Afrikaaner country. Meanwhile Durban is the heart of the "African roots" of South Africa and it's also known as a multicultural city with a huge community of White, Indians and Chinese people.

Political Will: Durban is near of the birthplace of Nelson Mandela's town.

Infrastructure: With the development of the Commonwealth Games, most of the sporting infrastructure will be there (Even before, Durban is known as the South African sport capital).

London and Tokyo have suffered from terrorist attacks. Durban has had hoards of machette whelding gansters threatening to kill foreigners.

There are many, many reasons Casablanca won't host. Terroristm fears shouldn't be one of them. But if Im wrong...

I can see it now. After a successful games in France for 2024, Casablanca will be awarded the 2028 games. Rising costs and corruption, however, will lead to the games imploding, destroying the IOC and modern Olympic movement. At that point, one corrupt IOC member will turn to another and console them with the importal words....

Don't worry. It won't happen unless Morocco changed a full foreign policy to be close to African geopolitics. Morocco definetely won't count with African voters for having the first Olympics in the continent, especially with the issues related to Western Sahara and the bad image after dropping the 2015 African Cup.

[zekekelso]

The South African forumers who pass by now and then seem certain that Durban is the only choice their country will go with. It's being prepped for that, with the Commonwealth Games in 22, an already existing 'Olympic' Stadium (temporary seating will be added as with Rio's). All signs point to Durban as South Africa's bid.

Can another African city compete with this? Remains to be seen.

The South African forumers? All two (3?) of them? Not sure that's really a sample size we want to draw conclusion from.

[FYI]

Right, because you googling from over 10,000 miles away is so much more conclusive. Never mind the reasons he cited, either. :-/

[Ikarus360]

Yeaah, at the current state the north of Africa is right now, not mentioning the King and government are also kind of tyranical. Good luck with that, Morocco.

[dysan1]

I probably should rephrase myself.

Even though I just did speculate, I don't like speculating 2 bids in advance mainly because we can only go up to rough continents. Sure, Casablanca have announced they're bidding and a few other countries have aswell, but these can change very easily. I mean speculating on a bid being decided in 2021 isn't gonna be that accurate.

And you're right, I do need to do some tea leaf reading. And this thread has gone really off-topic.

Just to be clear, no one has announced that they bid. They are just giving the IOC and contractors a warm fuzzy that they might and that their could be more illicit funds lobbing about.

I'll be rooting for any bid to compete against a South African one, only because the sole prospect of having to hear vuvuzuelas again during football matches makes me want to claw at my eardrums.

Because the entire Olympics is football?? Blame your hate on TV sound quality, they are great in the stadium

Right, because you googling from over 10,000 miles away is so much more conclusive. Never mind the reasons he cited, either. :-/

Yup. Gotta love them opinionated keyboard warriors

[zekekelso]

Which is the more opinionated post:

When RSA bids, it will absolutely be with Durban.

If RSA bids, it could be Durban or it could be a different city.

[Dakooo]

I'm going to make a really controversial statement here. Don't kill me. I have fact checked it, although it could be wrong.

Durban does not have the amount of sporting infrastructure required to host the games without lots of construction

Eveb though I checked them as much I could, this is self-made so I probably have made some mistakes.

Has: Olympic stadium, one arena, convention centre (about 5 arenas) water polo arena (kings park).

Needs: 5-6 more arenas, swimming stadium, velodrome, tennis centre.

Although I will say that it has everything else going for it and their stadium is Top Notch.

[baron-pierreIV]

I'm going to make a really controversial statement here. Don't kill me. I have fact checked it, although it could be wrong.

Durban does not have the amount of sporting infrastructure required to host the games without lots of construction

Eveb though I checked them as much I could, this is self-made so I probably have made some mistakes.

Has: Olympic stadium, one arena, convention centre (about 5 arenas) water polo arena (kings park).

Needs: 5-6 more arenas, swimming stadium, velodrome, tennis centre.

Although I will say that it has everything else going for it and their stadium is Top Notch.

That's why they're going for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. So they can add a few more venues. But you don't have to have all the venues because:

1. Agenda 2020 will now allow host cities to add or drop some sports depending on their capabilties (exactly the privilege of a CWG); and

2. If you have EVERYTHING IN PLACE, then you have nothing to brag about in the "Legacy" column and you won't be adding jobs to the economy -- so why should they award the Games to you...if you're sorely lacking in these 2 areas??

So, what's your point??

[dysan1]

I'm going to make a really controversial statement here. Don't kill me. I have fact checked it, although it could be wrong.

Durban does not have the amount of sporting infrastructure required to host the games without lots of construction

Eveb though I checked them as much I could, this is self-made so I probably have made some mistakes.

Has: Olympic stadium, one arena, convention centre (about 5 arenas) water polo arena (kings park).

Needs: 5-6 more arenas, swimming stadium, velodrome, tennis centre.

Although I will say that it has everything else going for it and their stadium is Top Notch.

This is missing out the indoor venues at universities, the exhibition centre, the new multipurpose arena about to start construction at the beach front casino. We have a swimming centre, it needs expansion which they decided against doing for the Commonwealth games, instead going with the great Oceanside setting. This will be Olympic ready once redeveloped for the Commonwealth.

Yes, we will need more venues, as any bid would. But we would not get a commonwealth games (which we will likely be awarded this coming wednesday) if we weren't up to par.

In addition a big multisport high performance institute is under construction. And we have a 16 court tennis centre with main stadium at Westridgr, but it will require development.

Any Olympic bid needs a few wow additions, those would come. But the city has more existing infrastructure than alot of recent bidders.

[Nacre]

I'm going to make a really controversial statement here. Don't kill me. I have fact checked it, although it could be wrong.

Durban does not have the amount of sporting infrastructure required to host the games without lots of construction

Eveb though I checked them as much I could, this is self-made so I probably have made some mistakes.

Has: Olympic stadium, one arena, convention centre (about 5 arenas) water polo arena (kings park).

Needs: 5-6 more arenas, swimming stadium, velodrome, tennis centre.

Although I will say that it has everything else going for it and their stadium is Top Notch.

Even London had to build some temporary venues. That shouldn't disqualify Durban. The real concern is hotels and transport infrastructure.

Durban's airport is very small and has only one runway, for example, which would be a major problem for the Olympics. (Since standard OP is to allocate one or more runways to landings and another runway or two for takeoffs.) It only has flights sustaining 4 million passenger movements a year, and no flights to Europe or Asia.

By way of comparison Copenhagen is much too small for the Olympics and has two parallel runways, 26 million passengers annually and flights around the world. For an American example Seattle is also too small, yet it has an airport with three parallel runways, 35 million passenger movements per year and lots of flights to Europe and Asia. Casablanca itself has an airport with two runways and almost twice the size of Durban in passengers and terminal space.

So apart from needing to build the sporting venues South Africa would have to spend a lot of money upgrading Durban's airport. Not to mention building hotels, upgrading mass transit systems, etc. I think the IOC would be willing to accept a less advanced bid to get the games in Africa, but Durban still needs to be technically capable of hosting.