Topic 1 - Selection Process for Host cities of the Olympics
To host the Olympic Games is to shed an international spotlight on one's country. Countries that bid to host the Olympics often do so to increase prestige, showcase infrastructure and development, advertise tourism, or a mix of all three. The venues for Olympic Games are chosen four to ten years in advance, and the process for choosing these venues is extremely complex. When evaluating potential hosts, the IOC considers the political and economic standings of possible future locations, and to ensure the safety of all participants and spectators, the IOC also closely examines the security capabilities of each host candidate. When a candidate has been chosen, the Committee then decides what steps must be taken to prepare the host for the Games. In this committee, the IOC must determine the location of the 2036 Summer Games and the 2038 Winter Games, and there is no clear candidate yet. Which country or countries will the IOC choose, and how will they support the chosen hosts through the preparation process?
Topic 2 - Public Displays at the Olympics
Public displays at the Olympics have often been at the center of controversies surrounding the games, as religious and social demonstrations may not always align with the beliefs of all participating nations. The Olympics have a responsibility to maintain a respect for the ideals of all member states, but also to support social change in line with the values of the Olympics, such as equality and civil liberties. Many nations that will be participating in the coming 2026 and 2028 Olympic Games are involved in political strife that has divided the world, and it is likely that athletes competing in the next games will make their stances known for themselves and their country. Should the IOC encourage discussion and debate by allowing these displays, or should the Olympics remain steadfast in the neutrality it has held for so long?
Issue Briefs