Dubai plans to bid for the 2020 Olympics. Do you think the emirate can pull it off?
The results are in.
July 12, 2009 9:37 by Dana El Baltaji
Dubai wants to host the 2020 Olympics under a new initiative called Dubai 2020 launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Dubai’s ruler. A group of government and private section representatives will be assembled to determine if the emirate can host the World Expo and the Olympic and Paralympics in 2020.
“Bringing together these two world events in one place – each for the first time in the Middle East – would be a unique proposition, uniting business, science and technology with sport, education and culture,” an official statement said.
Dubai hosting the Olympics may seem far-fetched today, but 2020 is a good 11 years away. Considering how much Dubai has changed over the past decade, Kipp is inclined to believe anything is possible.
Apparently, however, the majority of our respondents disagree.
Thirty-eight percent of respondents to Kipp’s poll answered “Are you kidding me” to our question, implying Dubai could never pull of the Olympics, even in 2020; and 18 percent said the emirate is too small to host the sporting event.
Conversely, the second largest majority of respondents – 31 percent – said Dubai can host the Olympics, provided the emirate plans in advance; and 13 percent of respondents would “love to see sports champions in Dubai.”
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7 Comments
The paralympics? Really? In a city that doesn’t even have pedestrian walks let alone ramps for the physically challenged?
This is the most special needs unfriendly city in the world.
Which is funny, as most of the population here qualify for special needs. Mentally at least.
Well I am sure that Andy & Sya live and earn their bread and butter in Dubai just like many other people and still would love to make fun of the city / its management etc. Every place has its pros and cons isn’t it?
Lets be realistic, just 2 months ago there was a huge cricket event (Pakistan vs. Australia cricket series) in Dubai which I had personally visited full time (being one of the main supplier in terms of advertising needs of the event).
For the first time in Dubai there was an event in a brand new venue (Dubai cricket stadium’s first event) and 25,000 people attended it very peacefully and enjoyed the game. We should also note that this event happened in a place (Dubai Sport City) which is still under construction.
So if this type of event can be done than why not Olympics?? Keeping in mind that the master minds of Dubai have 11 years to prepare for it. Certainly can be done.
How can you compare cricketing event to Olympics? have you ever been to one? its the entire inrastructure over hauling on the country to holst such an event.
it also needs an infrastructure for humanity…like pedestrian walks, play areas, rest rooms, toilets!!! these are basic!!!
very funny! will they consider israeli athletes?
As Faisal quite rightly points out, Dubai has been hosting and devising (tennis, rugby, golf) world-class sporting events for some years now. I think it was never a question of “if” but “when” will Dubai bid to host the Olympics. As Dubai has proven in the past, with a large dose of can-do-attitude, it can-do-anything, Naysayers aside, if the consultants involved think Dubai can host the Olympics, it will bid to do so and then it’s down to the IOC to decide. I hope that Dubai does pitch for the Olympics, wins and creates lots of interesting jobs .
With regards to Israeli athletes, I hope that for any future sporting event in the UAE they don’t allow them to enter the country. Any cultural or sporting acceptance of Israel is acceptance of the Jewish state, which the UAE claims to deny, and supports the continued violation of international law and human rights conventions.
It is called the Summer Olympics for a reason!!! sandstorms & +40 C temperature….. Good luck