London Olympics 2012 Review

London Olympics 2012 Review

Olympics games feature competitions during summers and winters as they are considered to be the leading sports events globally, where thousands of athletes participate from all over the world. The Olympics are held every four years, where the winter and summer alternates. The games are hosted by the qualified applicant city that is subjected to specific procedures set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). These procedures are known as the Candidature Acceptance Procedure, where every City applied to host has to be evaluated, and the IOC Executive Board will accept the decision to host. Therefore, this article will review the procedures involved in the evaluation of the host city for the Olympic Games, provide an analysis of the decision taken by IOC in selecting London as the host city for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Most cities do usually apply to host the Olympic Games as it offers several opportunities and benefits to a country or region that is considered as the Candidate City. Any given city may take several years and precise planning if it has to host the successful Olympic Games in the future. It is done through the collaboration of the relevant organizations, stakeholders, and authorities who work together to ensure that the games leave behind a sustainable and long term positive legacy. However, all cities that apply to host these games must be evaluated by IOC to ensure it meets the requirements necessary for hosting the Olympic Games. Currently, Olympic Agenda 2020 is the one to shape all the processes involved for the Olympic Candidature, which follows the IOC strategic roadmap. Progressive dialogue and exchange of ideas between the potential Candidate Cities and IOC will take place, which aims at encouraging the host city to shape the value of their propositions and discuss the essential solutions in delivering exciting games. The Candidature process involved is taken through three different stages or phases that are as discussed below.

Stage One: Vision, Games Concept and Strategy

It is also known as the strategic analysis phase, where the Candidate Cities states their plans in terms of legacy, vision, and concept. The cities must ensure there is support from both the public and the stakeholders (“Candidature Process 2026”, 2020). They will also create a strong foundation that will help in achieving the intended goals, such as leaving a legacy for their region or country after allowed hosting these games. Therefore, during this phase, a video conference is held after the IOC announces the official candidates where important procedurals are given in ensuring that all Candidates understands the process of Candidature for equal and fair competition.

The IOC will also host individual workshops where each CandidateCandidate is invited to provide the vision, Games strategy, and concept to help the City to offer intense games concerning their long-term goals.  Also, in this stage, the CandidateCandidate submits Candidature File Part one, which is then analyzed by the evaluation commission of the IOC that focuses mainly on the Vision, Games Concept, and Strategy. For a Candidate to proceed to the next stage, the IOC Evaluation Board has to confirm after addressing the specific challenges that may hinder a City from progressing to the next phase and the needs to re-evaluate. Therefore, if the City meets all the requirements and provides an update to the IOC Evaluation Board and found to have no challenges, then it is given a chance to proceed to the next stage.

Stage 2: Governance, Legal and Venue Funding

In this phase, all the candidate cities must be in a better position in terms of financial and legal mechanisms put in place for it to host the Olympic Games. Also, in this stage, the challenges that may hinder the City from proceeding to the next step are looked in terms of the political and legal elements, consideration of the public and private support of the country, and reviewing of the structure of the governance. Workshops are also hosted at this phase for the provision of feedback to each Candidate City on what was submitted during the first stage. Learning opportunities for Cities are provided where they take part in the Olympic Games observer program considered to be an essential element of ensuring IOC knowledge is captured and act as a form of learning strategies for all the Candidate Cities.

Official debrief of the Olympic Games also takes place during this stage where the invitation of the Cities is done where it acts as the forum of exchange for the past and current game host. Candidate Cities also will find the perfect opportunity of learning on the best practices by evaluating the previous games. During this stage, Cities will submit their Candidature File Part 2 to the IOC. The file will go through evaluation by the Evaluation Commissions Workgroup(ECWG). IOC Evaluation Board will announce cities that will proceed to the next step after it has received the feedback from  ECWG.

Stage 3: Games Delivery, Experience and Venue Legacy

During this stage, an analysis of game provision is evaluated in determining how a selected city will deliver the games to ensure it has left behind a legacy. Submission of final File Part 3 by the Candidate Cities will be made. The IOC Evaluation Commission will then analyze all documents presented by the cities. A published report will be published that will state all the findings of IOC. All the challenges and opportunities for each Candidature will be highlighted within the report, which will act as an essential aid to members of IOC when deciding on electing the Host City.

Host City election will be done where selected candidates will do a final presentation during the IOC session. IOC members will then vote via secret ballots to determine the Host City. After elections are complete, IOC will provide the Host City Contract that will be signed by the Host City.

In February 1997, London started its bid in hosting the Olympics. Wembley Stadium was built and later billed as the best sports venue globally. On 15 May 2003, London received support from the government as the City that will host the 2012 Olympics. Cities such as Madrid, Leipzig, and New York were on the list. Moscow, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro were also elected to take part in the bid. London received the support of four groups that were considered to be influential, which include; Government, the public ( Londoners), the sports world, and the British Public.

The main factor that had supported London’s decision was its vision. Its vision was to adhere in any means possible in utilizing the power of Games to act as the vital drive for a positive economic, social, disability, community and sporting change (“Why London 2012 Worked – the Critical Success Factors”, 2020). Legacy was also central to their vision and even with the aim of showing value for money. The most appealing quality for the Londons was the fact that they were able to win most of the support from the public whom they were able to keep engaged and excited during all the seven years of preparation. Education, cultural programs, and city activities were used to make everyone participate in a pre-Games journey. Another quality is that London had great leaders in all the organizations that included IOC members such as President  Rogge, Christophe Dubi, Gilbert Feelli and many others. Chairman of the London Olympic, double Olympic gold medalist and Sabastian Core who was the former politician also played a vital role to the success of those games. Coe brought talented people who helped in managing the challenges faced in staging the world’s biggest event.

In conclusion, the decision for IOC to select London in 2012 was significant as it led to London achieving a scale of success. The City faired well in all levels of evaluation since it was politically and financially stable, they had a grand vision of bringing all the talented individuals from all over the world and the experience left behind a great legacy in terms of its preparation and the experience felt by all those who participated. The games brought together the best-talented people from the previous games hence providing a productive Games-time environment.  They all inspired the future generation.

References

Candidature Process of 2026. (2020). Retrieved 14 February 2020, from https://www.olympic.org/candidature-process-2026

Why London 2012 Worked – Critical Success Factors. (2020). Retrieved 14 February 2020, from http://thesportdigest.com/2013/08/why-london-2012-worked-the-critical-success-factors/