On the eve of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Buenos Aires, Argentine President Mauricio Macri Friday hinted that his country will consider hosting a future Olympic Games.
Speaking on a panel with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach at the Olympism in Action Forum, Macri was optimistic at what the experience of the YOG will lead to.
He said “Obviously once this wonderful event is finished we will have the chance to start thinking about trying to organize Olympic Games.”
At a press conference on Saturday Bach confirmed that he would support a Buenos Aires bid.
“We are following this discussion here in Argentina closely,” he said.
“Argentina in general is a big country, is a country with a great potential, a sports-loving country with good infrastructure, and would be able to organize the Olympic Games. There I have no doubt.”
“After the Youth Olympic Games will be even in a better position from this point of view to organize the Olympic Games.
“At the same time we are well aware that Argentina at this point in time is living in not so easy moments and will overcome them, we are absolutely convinced.
“So this gives Argentinians some time to study this question because the next available edition of the summer games is in 2032 and there the decision will not be taken in the next couple of years.”
Macri will be cautious, however, explaining “at a time when we are committed to reduce poverty, organizing these types of events is so much of an amount of money.”
“I think it is no longer so easy, so possible.”
Macri explained how Buenos Aires 2018 has introduced new concepts such as an inclusive Opening Ceremony that was held at the famous Obelisk and open to the public.
“I think that these innovations we have introduced will help to add another value… I think that this will help for future events that the IOC will organize in the rest of the world.”
Buenos Aires has bid unsuccessfully for four previous Olympic Games, most recently in 2004 when the city came fourth. The Capital came closest to winning the 1956 when it placed second to Melbourne. Other bids came in 1936 and 1968.
In 2016 Rio became the first South American city to host an Olympics.
Bach also revealed Saturday that Indonesia has submitted a letter of interest to bid for the 2032 Games, after the nation’s president President Joko Widodo made the commitment last month at the opening of the Jakarta-Palembang 2018 Asian Games.
“The candidature has just been confirmed by a letter from the president of Indonesia and by the President of the National Olympic Committee.”
Indonesia’s President Confirms Nation’s Bid To Host 2032 Olympic Games
The 2032 Games became the next available Summer Games to host after the IOC unexpectedly awarded the 2028 Games to Los Angeles last year, a record-breaking 11 years ahead of the opening ceremony and at the same time Paris was awarded the 2024 Games.
Shanghai’s deputy director Luo Wenhua announced that the Chinese city could consider a 2032 bid after closely watching the progress of the upcoming Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games, while it sets a course to become a “globally famous” sport city.
Other interest in bidding for the 2032 Games has come from Queensland in Australia, India, Germany, Russia and Egypt. The IOC indicated earlier this year that it has had discussions with at least one interested city and that the “discussion phase” of the cycle has begun.
The IOC is scheduled to elect the 2032 host city in 2025.
