A batch of social media users have today been left blindsided after discovering the real way that the next hosts for the 2028 Olympics have been chosen.
The 2024 sporting tournament came to an end last night after weeks of life-changing victories, heartbreaking near-misses and lots of drama, with Paris putting on a closing ceremony for the ages.
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After the final few medals were handed out and the Olympic torch extinguished for another four years, Team USA were crowned this year's champions.
The Americans were neck and neck with opponents China throughout a huge proportion of this year's competition when it came to the medals table.
After 16 days, however, the USA came out on top.
Though they matched China's staggering 40 Golds, the Americans also bagged a colossal 44 Silver medals, as well as 42 Bronze, totalling an impressive 126.
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China walked away with 91 in total, consisting of 27 Silver medals and 24 Bronze.
Apparently, however, ever since the USA's ultimate triumph, many spectators watching from home believe they've put 2 and 2 together, and now understand why Los Angeles has been selected as hosts for the forthcoming 2028 games.
They believed that the winning nation would automatically take on the responsibility of hosting next, seemingly forgetting that France didn't win back in 2020 ahead of this year's games in Paris, nor did Brazil in 2012 before the 2016 games in Rio.
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As we say, the news has come somewhat of a shock to many sports fans, who have only just discovered how the next host is really picked.
"So sick of being gay just found out the winning country doesn’t take the olympics? i thought it was like eurovision," one social media user penned on Twitter last night.
In response, another asked in the comments below: "Wait so whats the actual point then."
Another then admitted: "No cause I genuinely thought the same and was so disappointed when I found out the truth."
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"I always thought it was like this too, how else do they decide?!" a third confessed.
Another put their hands up to say: "This tweet is how i found out it isn’t like that".
It turns out, however, that there's actually a pretty lengthy and complex process when it comes to choosing the next hosts to the Olympics.
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It starts with a Session meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which usually takes place around 11 years before each tournament.
Countries are permitted to put themselves forward as candidates for consideration if they can vouch for economic stability and safety of attendees.
Any city or region can volunteer.
In the subsequently two years, cost estimates are gathered, potential marketing campaigns are formed and lobbying efforts are narrowed down.
These processes are overseen by two permanent Future Host Commissions, one for summer and one for winter Games, which are comprised of IOC Members and other Olympic Movement stakeholders.
They'll be in charge of making recommendations to the IOC Executive Board (EB) regarding possible future hosts.
The EB then decides if any should be put forward for election by the Session.
A secret ballot then takes place, with each active member of the IOC having one vote and one vote only, which they cannot give to the country they themselves hail from.
The votes are then counted, and the majority country is informed of their hosting duties.
In rare cases when a majority is not immediately formed, a second round of voting takes place, with the country with the fewest votes having been eliminated.
This continues until a majority country is voted for.
So, there you have it.
Topics: Olympics, Sport, World News, US News
Rhianna Benson