Barcelona wants to host 2036 Olympic Games
Barcelona’s Sports Councilor, David Escudé, has highlighted the city’s readiness to host the Olympic Games in 2036, with the aim of repeating the landmark event of 1992, which marked a turning point for the Catalan capital.
“The Olympic flame always burns. We are always open, whether it is 2036, 2040 or 2044,” said Escudé.
Barcelona, which hosted the 1992 Olympic Games, not only raised its international profile but also transformed the city both in terms of sport and urban development, rejuvenating run-down areas of the Catalan capital and its surroundings.
Escudé confirmed that the possibility of hosting the Games again in the coming decades was already being considered. He stssressed the city’s potential to take up the challenge, recalling Barcelona’s past successes in hosting major sporting events.
Other topics related to Barcelona’s sporting future were also discussed during the event. Escudé ruled out the city hosting the EuroLeague Final Four in 2025, citing the limited time left before the event, although he made it clear that Barcelona had not formally withdrawn its bid. He also confirmed that it remains in the city’s future plans.
In addition, Escudé confirmed that the renovated Camp Nou would host the 2030 FIFA World Cup Final, in competition with Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu and a stadium in Morocco, which is also bidding to host the decider.
Internationally, Barcelona’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics would face competition from several cities, including Santiago de Chile, which announced its candidacy months ago through President Boric.
The megalopolis of Istanbul (Turkey), which will host the European Games in 2027, is another strong contender, aiming to organise the first Olympic Games on two continents.
Nusantara, the new capital of Indonesia, and Doha, the capital of Qatar – host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 2024 Aquatics World Cup and the upcoming 2027 Basketball World Cup – are also in the running to host the 36th modern Olympic Games.
If selected, Barcelona would have to make a significant financial commitment. The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games cost an estimated £9 billion, according to business and finance website Bloomberg, with about half of that spent on infrastructure and the rest on operational costs.
The Brisbane 2032 Games are also expected to cost a lot of money, with Australian Sports Minister, Richard Colbeck, predicting that at least £5 billion will be needed to host the event in the Queensland capital.
With an investment of nearly £15 billion in 1992, Barcelona has already demonstrated its ability to host the Olympic Games. The economic and social impact on the city was significant and could be repeated and even increased if the city were to host the Olympics again in 2036 or in subsequent editions. –Insidethegames.biz
