As a group from Washington, D.C. announced plans to bid for the 2024 Olympics, economists released a report on the high costs of hosting the Games for cities, including expensive infrastructure and small economic benefits.
Because of competition between cities and countries, the International Olympic Committee often asks for expensive concessions, such as special stadiums, and has a record of leaving host cities with debt that takes years to pay off.
"Even if the D.C. area could host the Olympics cheaply, that isn’t likely to happen in practice. 'It's true that D.C. already has great transportation networks, plenty of hotel space, lots of sports facilities—especially if you count the greater DC-Baltimore area,' [professor of economics at Holy Trinity College, Victor] Matheson told [author Brad Plumer]. 'But the IOC isn’t going to look at all this and say, okay, let’s just have the opening ceremonies in FedEx Field. They’ll ask for an Olympic stadium and all sorts of specialized infrastructure.'"
There have been very few success stories from cities that have hosted the Games or the World Cup, writes Plumer: "The only Olympic city in recent times that has really kept costs low was Los Angeles in 1984 — and that was a special case. That year, it was the only city actually bidding for the Olympics."
FULL STORY: Economists: It's a terrible idea for D.C. to host the 2024 Olympics
For Host Cities, Olympic Legacies Are Mixed
The two-week competition is often touted as a galvanizing force for urban development. But that's only cities include the Games' legacy in their planning process from the start.
Boston Out of the Olympics Game for 2024
After a protracted controversy, the United States Olympic Committee officially terminated the bid for Boston to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
Planning for the 2016 Olympics in Rio
The City of Rio de Janeiro announced the winner of its design contest for the 2016 Olympic Park. Contestants also designed a master-planned, mixed-use neighborhood to take over the space post-Olympics.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)