Chengdu and Chongqing Eye Bid for 2032 Olympics

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• On November 27th, China Daily published a proposal from the Chengdu and Chongqing governments - announcing a potential bid for the cities to host the summer Olympics.

• As part of a national strategy to develop the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, the two cities might bid for the Olympics together to enhance the international influence of the two cities.

The Olympic Rings at Odaiba Marine Park, Tokyo, Japan in July, 2020. Photo: Xinhua

 Cities explore potential bid for Summer Olympics

Interest from the two Chinese cities comes after Shanghai conducted a feasibility study on hosting the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games back in November 2018. There has been little mention of Shanghai's potential bid since, seemingly opening the door for another Chinese candidature for the Games.

Note that The joint Chengdu-Chongqing effort to host the 2032 Olympic Games is “only an idea” for now and does not mean the two cities’ bid will be accepted by Chinese authorities, said a former high-ranking sports official on Saturday. Wei, an honorary life president of the Olympic Council of Asia, said it was too early to consider the proposal an official bid.

 Boost for social economic development in the region

Chengdu are already set to host the Summer World University Games next year and the World Games in 2025 but are keen to bolster their line-up by jointly hosting the biggest sporting event in the world. As reported by China Daily, Chongqing hopes that hosting the Games acts as a “boost for social economic development in the region.” 

"As part of a national strategy to develop the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, the two cities will bid for the Olympics together to try to host a Games with strong urban and cultural characteristics of the two cities, and to enhance the international influence of the two cities," the document reads.

Currently, Queensland are thought to be the front-runners in holding the 2032 Olympic Games but have held back on any potential bids due to the coronavirus pandemic. So too have other countries interested in the competition including Jakarta in Indonesia, Doha in Qatar, Rhein-Ruhr in Germany and India.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) changed the way it selected hosts for the Olympic and Paralympic games last year. A Future Host Commission for formed to identify and recommend venues for both the Summer and Winter Games. Once identified, the IOC will regularly contact the interested cities. The IOC is yet to confirm when an awarding of the 2032 Games is set to take place under the new selection process, originally due in 2025.  China last hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2008 in Beijing, who are also set to host the 2022 Winter Olympic.

China last hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 2008. Image: Cai Guo-Qiang

 Nobody informed Chongqing...

In meanwhile, Chongqing said it was unaware Sichuan was planning a joint bid to host the 2032 Olympics. “This is a unilateral announcement by Sichuan Province. I only read about it on the internet this afternoon,” an employee with the Chongqing sports authority told the Red Star News on Friday.

 

The rift between Chongqing and Sichuan went viral on Sina Weibo with nearly 50 million views and 2,200 discussions a few hours after the Red Star report. “What a slap in the face,” said an internet user who said he can’t wait for the story to unfold.

Sources: China Daily, SCMP.

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