Why the Greater Bay Area should host the 2036 Olympics

For cities around the world, hosting the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games is often seen as both a prestigious honour and a daunting economic burden. The need to construct sports complexes, modernise transport networks and expand accommodation capacity can saddle hosts with debt and infrastructure that often falls into disuse post-Games. But what if the host has the DNA for hosting a successful Olympics and can surmount this financial strain? What comes to mind is the Greater Bay Area – a vibrant region encompassing Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Macau and Guangzhou – where much of the infrastructure required for the 2036 Games is already in place or planned. In Hong Kong, Kai Tak Sports Park is our premier venue, complementing the Hong Kong Jockey Club race courses (which hosted equestrian events in the 2008 Olympics), the Hong Kong Golf Club, Hong Kong Velodrome, Hong Kong Coliseum, Queen Elizabeth Stadium, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, AsiaWorld-Expo and the planned Skytopia, to name a few. Across the border in Shenzhen, facilities such as the Universiade Sports Complex, Shenzhen Stadium and Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre stand ready to host major events. Macau offers the Olympic Sports Centre, East Asian Games Dome and Venetian Arena, while Guangzhou completes the quartet with its International Rowing Centre and canoe slalom course. The iconic beauty of Hong Kong’s harbour can be the backdrop for sports events requiring temporary venues, such as the triathlon and beach volleyball. Innovative, temporary, cost-effective structures can be used, eliminating the need for permanent facilities. The Paris Olympic committee required all athletes to be housed within 45 minutes of their competition venue – the Greater Bay Area is uniquely positioned to meet, even exceed, this standard, thanks to its robust, reliable and rapidly expanding transport network. Key infrastructure in place includes the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, a marvel of modern engineering connecting the key areas, and a high-speed rail system linking Hong Kong to Shenzhen in just 15 minutes and Guangzhou in under an hour. The Shenzhen Bay Bridge further enhances regional connectivity, while local rail systems like the MTR in Hong Kong and equivalent networks in Shenzhen and Guangzhou ensure efficient intracity travel. On the horizon are projects like the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link and the Northern Metropolis rail links, which will further solidify the Greater Bay Area’s status as a transport hub. With these systems, athletes, officials and spectators alike can traverse the region with ease, setting a new standard for logistical excellence at the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) mandates a minimum of 40,000 available hotel rooms to accommodate visiting spectators for the summer games. Hong Kong alone has more than 92,000 hotel rooms, and possibly more than 100,000 rooms in total when including guest houses. When the additional capacity of Shenzhen, Macau and Guangzhou is factored in, the region offers unparalleled hospitality options, ensuring visitors will have no trouble finding comfortable and convenient accommodation. As for dining and entertainment, the Greater Bay Area’s rich culinary traditions and diverse cultural offerings promise an unforgettable experience. While the Greater Bay Area is well-equipped in most areas, the Olympic Village remains a key piece of infrastructure that requires attention. Designed to house 15,000 athletes, referees and officials, the village will need to meet the IOC’s exacting standards while aligning with the region’s commitment to sustainability and practicality. The region has several viable options. Dual villages could be constructed in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, with a view to converting them into residential housing post-Games – a solution that addresses both Olympic needs and long-term urban housing demands. Alternatively, university accommodation and isolation facilities from the Covid-19 pandemic can be repurposed. Ocean liners can be moored at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal – Japan has announced similar plans for a “floating village” cruise ship to be docked at Nagoya port for the Asian Games next year. Such innovative approaches would show the Greater Bay Area’s capacity for innovation, problem-solving and sustainable planning. Traditionally, the most significant expenses of hosting the Olympics stem from sporting, transport and accommodation infrastructure. Many host cities end up in massive debt with facilities that see little use after the Games. The last Summer Olympics cost US$8.7 billion to host but also generated an estimated over US$11 billion for the Paris metropolitan economy – Paris benefited from its substantial pre-existing infrastructure. A bid by the Greater Bay Area would offer a compelling alternative: with minimal investment required for new infrastructure, resources can be redirected towards enhancing the experience for athletes and spectators. In this age of technological advancements, developing cutting-edge solutions to streamline logistics and improve safety will create memorable cultural events that showcase the region’s uniqueness. By leveraging its existing assets and committing to sustainable, innovative planning, the Greater Bay Area is positioned to host the 2036 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games without falling into the common pitfalls of overspending and underused facilities post-Games. The region’s extensive sporting, transport and hospitality infrastructure – coupled with its forward-thinking approach to urban development – ensures the Games can be both spectacular and fiscally responsible. Hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games will be a golden opportunity for the Greater Bay Area to showcase its global influence, cultural diversity and technological prowess. It is a chance to not only welcome the world but also redefine what an Olympic host can achieve. With minimal financial strain and maximum impact, Hong Kong and the rest of the Greater Bay Area can leverage the region’s assets and deliver this game-changing vision.

Why the Greater Bay Area should host the 2036 Olympics

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}With most of the infrastructure required already in place, resources can go towards enhancing the experience for athletes and spectators

With most of the infrastructure required already in place, resources can go towards enhancing the experience for athletes and spectators