Oslo won’t be hosting the 2022 Olympics because Norway’s ruling party sees the games’ exorbitant price tag of $5.4 billion as too much money to spend on a project without enough public support.
“It’s important to get broad support for such an expensive project and there is not enough to carry thought such a project,” Prime Minister Erna Solberg said to a Norwegian TV station.
Breaking news: The government will not provide the required warranty. Norway has to withdraw its application to host the Olympics #Oslo2022
— OSLO2022 (@OSLO2O22) October 1, 2014
Aside from the lack of public support (ask Brazil about the World Cup and Olympic projects), the IOC laid out a list of ridiculous demands as part of what would’ve been Oslo’s bid.
First, the IOC wanted to meet the king prior to the opening ceremony. Next it wanted never-ending drinks payable to the royal family or the Norwegian Olympic Committee.
Okay, well yeah, I guess. VG mined the 7,000+ pages of requirements from the IOC, and most pertained to security. The following do not.
- Car and drivers for all IOC members.
- Diverted and prioritized Olympic traffic
- Dedicated Olympic traffic lanes, not to be used by regular people
- "IOC members will be received with a smile on arrival at hotel"
- Hotel bars must be open “extra late” and can only serve Coca-Cola products
- All conference rooms must be kept at exactly 68 degrees
- “All furniture should be OL-shaped and have Olympic Appearance”
- Finally, the IOC “proposes the closure of schools, and the local people are encouraged to take vacations.”
