Everything Everywhere Daily Hosting the Olympics
Jan 8, 2025
The International Olympic Committee made a bold move by awarding both the 2024 and 2028 Games to Paris and Los Angeles. This decision highlights a growing reluctance among cities to host the Olympics due to economic strains and political challenges. The podcast dives into the evolution of the Olympics, from local events to extravagant global spectacles. It also discusses the declining interest in hosting, with many cities shying away and the idea of a permanent venue gaining ground.
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First Modern Olympics
- The first modern Olympics in 1896 was held in Athens, Greece.
- It was a small event, with 65% of the 241 athletes being Greek.
Early Olympics and World's Fairs
- The 1900 and 1904 Olympics were held alongside World's Fairs in Paris and St. Louis, respectively.
- This minimized costs by leveraging existing infrastructure.
1904 Olympics Host City Change
- The 1904 Olympics were initially awarded to Chicago but were moved to St. Louis.
- This followed threats from St. Louis World's Fair organizers to hold a competing athletic event.