The International Olympic Committee has officially selected the host cities for both of the next two Summer Olympics, naming Paris to host 2024 and Los Angeles to host 2028.
That confirms what seemed more and more apparent this summer as the two cities vied against one another in the bid process for the 2024 Games. While a number of major cities dropped out of the bidding (including the original United States bid city, Boston), Paris and L.A. emerged as the frontrunners. But as the race heated up, rumblings around the process began to suggest the IOC was interested in awarding each city with an Olympic Games, deciding on a 2028 host more than a decade out.
Paris’s bid, in general, was focused only on 2024 and not interested in hosting four years later. So when Los Angeles agreed to host the 2028 Games back in July, it seemed all but settled that Paris would get the first crack in 2024, followed by L.A. four years later.
Today’s IOC decision officially confirms that. It’s the first time the IOC has awarded two bids at once.
It will be the third time for each city hosting the Olympic Games. Paris was uniquely interested in 2024 as that marks the 100th anniversary of the last time Paris hosted the Olympics. Paris hosted in 1900 and then again in 1924 before a lengthy layoff.
Los Angeles hosted the 1932 Olympics, and then hosted again in 1984. They’ll be the first Summer Olympic host in North America since Atlanta in 1996.
Not sure security will be an issue in Paris, 2024 is far and anyway, I don’t see any “western” county being particularly safer: spain, germany, uk, belgium and USA suffered similar attacks; the terrorist of Berlin has been able to travell to Italy… honestly, Paris is not worse than LA on this point. Moreover, France has hosted Euro 2016 without problem, though it involved more cities and lasted longer than OG.
Being french, being european, I don’t see the point of Paris bid. Paris is one of the few cities in the world that don’t need Olympic Games: its reputation is already made, its financial power is important enough to build anything needed, and I recently heard the director of… Read more »
AIGUES, you make some good points here. In my experience France’s security game appears to be on-point in spite of (and more so as a result of) recent terror events. There is pervasive security presence in Paris and other large French cities. I would not be more worried over other W. European or N. American locations.
Agree that Paris doesn’t “need” the Games for a boost to reputation or economy. My only counterpoints:
1. Paris is a beautiful and epic place, and it would be great to have another excuse to showcase it for those who don’t live there/near.
2. While London (disclosure: I live here) arguably did not need the games, they have made more of it than… Read more »
Of course, living in France I can watch (a lot of) nice plans of Paris every year for the final stage of Tour de France, but also on 14th july, new year’s eve fireworks, Paris marathon, etc. Effects on me are going lower and lower…
I’m sure a big city like London, Paris or Los Angeles can make a lot of big things with Olympic Games and many parts of these cities need investments – as you say, for Paris they communicate a lot about investments in Saint-Denis area. I just think that Paris is totally able to make these investments without the “pretext” of Olympic Games. Yet, some cities with strong economic issues (I mean stronger than France…) NEED… Read more »
I’ve got to quibble with you a bit here. Paris could have built a world class aquatics facility in the years since its bids for 1992, 2008 and 2012, but it did not. And New York, where I live, could have built a world class aquatics facility since its bid for 2012 — but did not (Hudson Yards could have been soooo much more than another collection of high rises). New York, like Paris, doesn’t need an Olympics to maintain its international reputation, but, dang, all of us in the aquatics community of metropolises like New York and Paris can only envy cities like Stockholm, with a world class facility in its city limits built for pretty much no other… Read more »
When you mean “World Class Aquatics Facility,” what do you mean? A FINA-code natatorium with 10 lanes, a separate diving well and warm-up pool, and seating for 4000+? Personally, I think that is a HUGE waste of resources for any city.
The idea for a “World Class Facility” would be that it be a centerpiece facility, for the hosting of national meets and international events. I think that’s a huge White Elephant because, even though the USA has many levels of national championships, these tend to rotate around several different facilities. Outside of the major events like Duel or Trials, these don’t sell out tickets, even at Indy. NCAA meets rarely sell out. There would have to be events… Read more »
Wonderful 3 minute video: “Five Cities that Got F*cked by the Olympics”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-rBxNHd2fI&sns=em
Many got F***** By the Huge non impact of the Olympics ( which is always Hidden )
Paris should host a spectacular Games, it is a beautiful and magical city….and long overdue.
Speaking of the Olympics, I just watched a video of the women’s 4×100 free relay in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Fun stuff: the American women against the East Germans. Exciting. You can watch it too. Good commentary by Donna deVerona.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LinqPGZPqUw
Wow, thanks for sharing! That was the first time I saw it. I had tears in my eyes. So amazing.
I hope the French can handle the security requirements for this massive event.
Paris is getting the Games after 100 years. The 1924 Games are the ones depicted in the movie “Chariots of Fire.”
Ok ok, nothing could have prevented 2015 Paris attacked
Except not letting those people in
Preach
They were French & French – Belgians .. The problem was France sent them to Syria to overthrow Assad & being young men & it not happening they returned go France frustrated.
Ha ha
Agreed, biggest reason I am against France holding it, I am not sure where they will be in terms of security in 8 years.
And the US is much safer?
Uh yeah. Pulse and San Bernadino and I guess the Boston bombers are all that comes to mind.
Only bombers count? In this case, the last one in France was 20 years ago.
But if you include planes, I must remind you of 2001.
Where will be the World in 7 years ???? Big question …..I would say : Changed and very different . So we dont know how the French or any other Country will handle the situations at hand .
No surprise there, but still congrats
Ye
Nu. Ledecky will be old by 2028
She’ll be 32 years old…don’t be so sure. Many swimmers are now having success at that age…plus, she’s fricken’ Katie Ledekcy
True, but Phelps is the only 31 year old who has won a gold medal in a 200 meter event. Ledecky specializes in in 200-1500. Maybe she will be able to win, hopefully.
By then I’d expect her to have developed a lot more speed to become more of a 100-200 (maybe still 400) swimmer.