3. The Olympic Legacy

Over the course of the 2-year bid process, cities voluntarily subject themselves to the International Olympic Committee’s supranational standards, regulations, and scrutiny. As the purveyors of the Olympic brand, the IOC has come to recognize its vested interest in the impacts of the world’s principal mega-event, or the Olympic Legacy. The Olympic Legacy represents a multifaceted concept concerning the short- and long-term changes—both positive and negative—that shape a city’s environmental, social, and economic landscapes. This chapter presents the IOC structures and resources that support legacy from the very beginning of the bid procedures. As participants in the process, cities must invest time and energy into executing the Olympics, an opportunity cost that should be considered carefully. This chapter outlines the two stages of the bid process, including the requirements to meet at each stage and the resources the IOC provides to bidders. Bid losers may not host the Games, but if they participate fully in the process, they may come away with an urban legacy that has the power to positively impact their cities.