Here’s Why NYC Has Never Hosted The Olympics—& Probably Won’t Anytime Soon
Since the first Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, NYC has never once hosted the worldwide tournament.
Other U.S. cities such as Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Georgia have hosted the games, and even Lake Placid, New York was home to the 1980 & 1932 Winter Olympics, but never the city of New York. So why is that and will NYC ever be home to the Olympic rings? Let’s get into it!
Has NYC ever bid to host the Olympics?
NYC made a bid to host the 2012 Olympics (along with Madrid, Moscow and Paris) but got beat out by London. And though the bid was unsuccessful, the infrastructure plans set forth for hosting the event were still brought to fruition for the most part. For example, without the Olympic rezoning efforts from 2012, Hudson Yards would not be the booming neighborhood it is today, nor would we have Hunter’s Point South Park or most likely the extension of the 7 train.
Why was NYC not chosen to host the 2012 Olympics?
On many accounts, London was described to have a stronger final presentation and lobbying to win the bid over NYC. London already had much of the transportation and infrastructure to host the games, whereas NYC required many new builds.
Moreover, there were perceived security concerns following the 9/11 attacks on NYC. Additionally, NYC wasn’t really in need of a status upgrade as it’s already viewed as a booming metropolis all over the world.
If NYC hosted the Olympics, what venues would be used?
Well in the 2012 proposal, there would have been an Olympic Stadium on the West Side, an Olympic Village in Queens (at what’s now Hunter’s Point South Park) and tons of new developments or updated venues in each borough.
Will NYC ever host the Olympics?
It’s unlikely that NYC will host the Olympic Games anytime soon. Los Angeles has already secured the 2028 games and Brisbane with the 2032 games. Though the host of the 2036 games remain undecided, cities like Budapest, Istanbul, Nusantara, Santiago, and others have already placed their bids. And though plenty of infrastructure was developed following NYC’s failed 2012 bid, much more work would need to be done to ensure NYC would be a good fit as an Olympic host.
Which other cities bid for the 2024 Olympics?
Among Paris, Los Angeles was also a top candidate to host the 2024 Olympics. The 2024 Paris Olympics will bring the number of Olympic Games hosted by France to a total of six (three summer Olympics and three Winter Olympics).
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