The Unseen Cost of Olympics

Photo:Abandoned Stadium in Athens

Last week, we saw the conclusion of the Paris 2024 Olympics in a period marred by political, military and economic instability across various parts of the world. The Olympics offered a brief moment of respite. The sporting spirit created a world stage where 204 nations stood shoulder to shoulder, setting their differences aside. But this rosy picture creates a shadow that will haunt the hosting nation for a long time. For an event of this magnitude, the major criticism is always the monetary drain on the nation’s treasury and taxpayers. Oxford University has revealed that every Olympics hosted after 1960 has gone over the proposed budget by an overwhelming margin.

The PyeonChang 2018 Winter Olympics had a planned budget of $7 billion, but the final cost was estimated at $15.4 billion, which is an astronomical 110% increase. The Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics had an initial budget of $14.4 billion, but the balance sheets resulted in an expenditure of more than $20 billion. The most expensive Olympic event ever hosted in the history of the Olympics was the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, whose proposed budget was $12 billion, but infrastructural expenses kept mounting, finally resulting in $50 billion. This was a massive 300% spike. While the tourism boom promises a return on investment, recouping the investment through these avenues is akin to scooping water from the ocean with a spoon.

While the financial burden is a point of criticism, there are other factors that cripple the host nation for decades after the conclusion of an Olympic event.

Underutilized Infrastructure

One of the most significant overheads for a host nation is setting up new infrastructure; while at face value, it may be repurposed for regional tournaments after the conclusion of the Olympics, so far, the majority of them have failed to utilize them or utilize them to their maximum capacity. Currently, the Olympic-sized pools built for the Rio 2016 Olympics have fallen into a state of disrepair, and most stadiums cost millions of dollars in electricity bills just to keep them operational. The venues built for the Athens 2004 Olympics are now abandoned and have served as symbols of waste and mismanagement.

The lack of a long-term plan for all these world-class sporting facilities is just a “white elephant” burden with no recourse for return on investment. The colorful promises are often overshadowed by the reality that these infrastructures serve little purpose the moment the spotlight is moved away. To counter these problems, the IOC has drafted guidelines for host cities not to build new infrastructures or to set up temporary infrastructures in the event of a necessity that can be repurposed.

Social Displacement

The aforementioned massive infrastructures require large amounts of land in densely packed cities, which often leads to displacing local communities. In some cases, entire neighborhoods are demolished to make way for new stadiums, hotels and transportation networks. This dislodgement particularly impacts low-income residents who may be forcibly evicted from their homes with little to no recourse.

In the wake of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, more than a million residents were displaced. These relocations can result in the erosion of social networks, loss of livelihoods and push the victims to a state of perpetual poverty. ”The human cost” of the Olympics is always akin to a grain of sand in the grand scheme of the Olympics, but will always remain a serious ethical concern.

Security Concerns

The Olympic stage is a perfect venue to show off a nation’s economic and social prowess. The same is also true for those associated with anti-social activities, particularly terrorists who are looking to send a message. Security wasn’t a front-page priority until the infamous 1972 Munich massacre. This single incident sent security costs to the ranks of infrastructural costs. The concentration of tourists and political figures from all over the world puts the host city in a situation where all the eggs are placed in one basket.

This results in a strong surveillance state for the residents, which is akin to a dystopian setting where suppression of civil liberties in a militarized atmosphere is anything but a celebratory environment. Athens spent over $1.5 billion in 2004, and costs have remained between $1 billion and $2 billion since.

Short-Term Economic Disruptions

A common justification seen for overgenerous spending is under the belief that it’ll boost the local businesses. However, the free market economy invites global conglomerates to move in for the events, competing with regional small businesses. The influx of tourists results in over-inflated costs for basic goods and necessities, impacting the savings of the local residents.

Olympic preparations have always diverted budget from essential services from healthcare and education, which can lead to significant consequences for local residents not only for the duration of the event but potentially their lives.

The allure of hosting the Olympics often blinds nations to the harsh financial, social, and environmental realities. As shown by the last five Olympic Games, the budgets were consistently and dramatically exceeded, leaving host cities to grapple with enormous debt, underutilized infrastructure, and social disruptions. The promises of economic gain and international prestige rarely outweigh the staggering costs burdening taxpayers and communities for decades.

Before a nation commits to hosting the Olympics, it must ask a fundamental question: Is the fleeting glory worth the long-term consequences? The evidence suggests that it often isn't. By reconsidering the true impact of these Games, nations can make more informed decisions prioritizing their citizens' well-being over temporary global recognition.