The Olympic Games, lessons for future host cities

by Hutton, Anne K.

In 1896 the first modern Olympic Games occurred in Athens, Greece, in large part due to the passion and dedication of one man, French educator Pierre de Coubertin. His goal was to bring sport to the world by bringing athletes together to compete. Concurrently the International Olympic Committee was formed. Its primary role was to select the cities that would host the O1 ympic Games. Throughout the 20Ihcentury the Olyrnpic Games have grown to gigantic proportions and have become extremely sophisticated since their inception over 100 years ago. The role that a city piays in hosting the Games is vital, as the impacts from the Games are signifiant. Initially, cities that hosted the Games were required to provide basic lodgings and services, but as the Olympics grew, particularly after World War II, the Games required more intense planning and organization. As the importance of the Games grew so too did the political and financial involvements. The Games have been a target of terrorism, political statements and more recently of corporations and sponsors. As the Olympic Games have progressed, each new Games has built on the experience of those which preceded it. For some host cities, Olyrnpic Games provide both the opportunity and the means by which they may revitalize, enhance and promote themselves international1y. The intent of this thesis is to examine five cities that have previously hosted the Olympic Games and to draw planning lessons from each. The Olyrnpic cities that have been chosen are: Montreal, Canada, 1976; Barcelona, Spain, 1992; Lillehammer, Norway, 1994; Atlanta, United States, 1996 and Sydney, Australia, 2000. Each case study will be broken down into four categories, they are: the political and administrative structure, - physical and social planning, financial planning and strategy and the multiplier effects. The case studies will provide the raw material frorn which a nurnber of observations and insights will be developed. It is iniended that these might contribute to the planning process for future O1 ympic host cities. vii List ofAbbreviations ACOG CMHC CNN COA CODA COJO COOB FLQ HOLSA HOV IF IOC LOOC MARTA MAOGA NOC OCA OCOG OIB OM OTIS SOCOG TDM TMS usoc VOSA Zarolega Atlanta Comrnittee for the Olympic Games Canada Mortgage and Housing Company Cable News Network Canadian Olyrnpic Association Corporation for Olyrnpic Development Comité Organisateur des Jeux Olympiques Comite Organitzador Olimpic Barcelona Fédération Libération Québec Olympic Holding Company in Barcelona High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes International Federation International Olyrnpic Comrnittee Lillehammer Olympic Organizing Cornmittee Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Metropolitan Atlanta Olympic Games Authority National Olyrnpic Cornmittee Olympic Co-ordination Authority Olympic Committee of the Olympic Games O1 ympic Installations Board Olyrnpic Movement Olympic Transportation Information System Sydney Olympic Organizing Committee Transportation Dernand Management Traffic Management System United States Olyrnpic Committee Vila Olimpica Societat Anonima Montreal firm awarded contract to build the Olympic Village viii 1 would like to thank my committee, Michael Poulton and Grant Wanzel, for their advice and guidance. As well, Dorothy Leslie for her kindness, patience and sense of humour.