China might do well to heed that lesson. Beijing may be the odds-on favorite to host the 2008 Games, but the selection process can be unpredictable–and, often, controversial. Certainly, some cities have won the Games on merit–good sporting facilities and infrastructure. Equally true, some cities are incapable of hosting such a huge event. But politics–and, sometimes, corruption–have also played roles in IOC selection votes. The razor-thin voting margins of recent years have only increased pressure on Olympic committees to do whatever it takes to win. Nagano beat Salt Lake City by two votes in 1991. Australia beat China by the same margin in 1993 (in part because of the vocal opposition of U.S. lawmakers to Beijing’s bid).
In fact, the IOC is trying to recover from its worst scandal in the past 105 years. In its bid for the 2002 Games, Salt Lake City Olympic officials gave more than $1 million in gifts and cash to IOC members. In the ensuing backlash, memos surfaced showing that Atlanta Olympic representatives considered providing prostitutes and gifts to voters. There were allegations that Japan won the Nagano Olympics with bribes. Officials in Sydney admitted offering IOC members from Kenya and Uganda $35,000 each for their national sports programs–the day before Australia won the Games.
Richard Lapchick, director of Northeastern University’s Center for Sport and Society, says that IOC members can be susceptible to the blandishments of contending cities. “These are not people elected from the popular masses,” says Lapchick. “These are aristocrats with large businesses and other interests. The [selection process] has always been about politics and deals.”
Current bidders say this time will be different. The IOC has passed a 50-point reform program, which includes a ban on all gifts to voters. The Olympic ideal may be dented, but nearly every major city still wants to host the grand event, and is joyous when it gets the opportunity. Patience helps. Just ask the people of Athens, who will host the Summer Olympic Games in 2004.
