Topics: UK News, News, Olympics, Sport, World News
The 2024 Olympic Games may have come to an end, but the record-breaking hype surrounding the sporting tournament appears to be rolling on.
As such, many spectators have been left wondering when it could be their home-nation's chance to host the prestigious games, after Paris did such an impressive job this time around.
And by the sounds of things, a lot of Brits - including London Mayor, Sadiq Khan - are hoping to be in with a chance to present a future sporting soiree, despite London only having held the reigns 12 years ago.
'But what are the rules when it comes to selecting a host country?', I hear you ask.
Advert
Don't fret, however, as we're here with all the need-to-knows surrounding the future of the Olympic Games.
It turns out, deciding on which country will host a forthcoming Olympic Games is actually a lot more complicated than people give organisers credit for.
It starts with a Session meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which usually takes place around 11 years before each tournament.
Countries - any region or city - can put themselves forward as candidates for consideration if they can vouch for economic stability and safety of attendees.
In the two years that follow, cost estimates are gathered, potential marketing campaigns are formed and lobbying efforts are narrowed down - all of which are overseen by two permanent Future Host Commissions, one for summer and one for winter Games.
It is their responsibility to make 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.
Whilst Los Angeles, in the USA, will be hosting the forthcoming 2028 games, the 2032 games will be taking place in Brisbane, Australia.
As we say, there has been talk amongst Brits regarding a possible opportunity for the Olympics to be hosted upon UK soil again.
London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, announced his intentions to put Britain forward as a candidate prior to his trip to the opening ceremony in Paris, revealing he'll be liaising with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the matter.
But when would this feasibly be taking place?
"I'm looking forward to meeting the team at the British Olympic Association when I go to Paris," Khan told press last month.
"And also speaking to the new government about my ambition to bring the Olympics back to London in 2040."
He added: "I do want to lobby Keir Starmer in relation to the Olympics, I do want to explain to the BOA why it’s important for London to be at the forefront of these sorts of bids.
"I’m hoping those conversations lead to both the government and the BOA supporting my ambition of the Olympics coming back to London."
So, there you have it. Fingers crossed for London 2040.
