Explainer: Vancouver in talks of possibly hosting the 2030 Olympic Games
The discussions for possibly placing a bid for the games were postponed to 2021
Back in March, Vancouver put forward a motion to consider hosting the 2030 Winter Olympics. The motion was to be heard by several speakers in April. However, the meeting was cancelled due to COVID-19 social restrictions.
The motion details the eventful turnout of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic games and the contributions the games brought, such as 2,500 full-time positions, along with 100 available construction jobs. And during the 2010 Olympic games, $15 million was given to Vancouver’s local businesses.
According to Daily Hive, NPA councillor Melissa De Genova said that Vancouver’s hosting the 2030 games would help the city and region in its economic recovery.
The Olympic games are known to generate tourism and boost the economy for cities. An article by Investopedia shows that hosting the Olympic games can have financial pros and cons.
Hosting the games can give the host city temporary infrastructure building jobs. Cities like Rio, Sochi, and Beijing constructed places like sporting facilities, hotels, and airports in preparation for the Olympics.
The anticipation of hosting the games brings in tourists and revenue, which can start about six months in advance of the games, and last for about six months after the games are finished.
The downside of hosting the games is the high cost of building infrastructure to accommodate sports events and the influx of tourism, which can leave cities in debt afterwards. If Vancouver ends up hosting the games in 2030, the infrastructure that was built to prepare for the 2010 games would already be in place.
John Furlong, former CEO of 2010’s Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee, has advocated for the city to make a bid for the games in 2030, believing there is a good chance Vancouver could host. He also says that the infrastructure built for the 2010 Olympics is still in good condition.
The motion shows that the Mayor of Vancouver will be sending a letter to the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and the four host First Nations of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games asking for their input on a possible bid. The four First Nations include the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nation and the Lil’wat First Nation.
The council also talked about asking the federal and the B.C. provincial government to provide funding for the bid and any possible investments.
Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart said the city’s focus should be on recovering from COVID-19 rather than hosting the games, but is open to talks about the Olympics in 2030 next year.
A meeting to further discuss the Vancouver 2030 Olympics bid has been rescheduled for early 2021.
