Exclusive: Olympics Open to Visiting New Territories says Reedie

Sir Craig Reedie, nurse Vice President of the International Olympic Committee and Chair of the 2020 Evaluation Commission, generic has revealed that the organisation are more than pleased to take the Olympics to different parts of the world, as long as the demand is there. 

For the first time in history, the Games will land in South American territory, when Rio plays host to the greatest sporting spectacle in the world, in 2016. Sir Craig is open for the Olympics going to new countries as long as the demand is there.

Speaking exclusively to iSportconnect, the Brit said: “In general terms, you cannot demand that a city or a country bids if the enthusiasm is not there. Rio became a real proposition after the Pan-American Games which is clearly geared towards an Olympic bid. 

“The IOC is perfectly happy to be going to that part of the world for the first time. Brazil is an enormous country – geographically huge – it’s got over 100 million people and it’s got a very strong and healthy economy, so there’s no reason why they shouldn’t deliver a good Games.” 

Aside from South America, the only other realistic continent that hasn’t yet received the privilege to stage the event is Africa, but Sir Craig believes that it may be more viable to test the waters with a different multi-sport event before attempting to host the big one. 

“As far as Africa is concerned, there is a mood to try and do that as well,” says Sir Craig. 

“However, there’s also – for example – the Commonwealths Games and I’ve got no idea what the authorities are planning in Africa. Abuja bid against Glasgow (for the 2014 Games), but clearly Glasgow’s concept was much better than the Abuja concept. 

“I would have thought that it would have been entirely possible for a South African city to have bid for the Commonwealth Games and have a big multi-sport event in South Africa and do that as preparation for a full Olympic bid as well. You also have to remember that the weather is different down there. 

“Traditionally, the Games in the northern hemisphere are held between May and August, but it gets a bit cold in Johannesburg around the end of July.”