From Chinese Press

Not every city can host Olympics

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-12-02 09:26

Hardly had the 2010 Asian Games closed when the host city Guangzhou announced its plan to bid for the Olympic Games. A Guangzhou official says the city's economic success shows it is capable of hosting the sports showpiece. But a city needs more than just economic competence to host the Olympics, says an article in China Youth Daily. Excerpts:

Some people say Guangzhou can bid for the Olympic Games after the 2010 Asian Games were declared a big success. The capital of Guangdong province has every right to feel competent enough to host the greatest sports event in the world.

It is true that the Olympics can boost a host city's economy and enhancing its international image. But it also true that a city's economic success is not and should not be the primary criterion to bid for the Olympics.

And if that is the case, other major cities in China are as qualified as Guangzhou to host the Olympic Games.

More importantly, the advantages the Olympic Games is said to create for a host city may not necessarily be as beneficial to its people. Hosting the Olympics cannot boost a city's economy in the long run, because economic development depends largely on essential traits such as industrial structure and innovation capability.

Besides, the real cost of hosting international events like the Olympics and World Expo is paid by a country's people, especially the host city's residents. If the population of the entire country pays the taxes, the host city's residents pay more by suffering inconveniences such as noise from construction sites and traffic restrictions and jams.

Instead of bidding for major international events, local governments should pay more attention to the well-being of the people and put up their ambitious plans for public discussion.