Racing Towards Reform – An Analysis of the Olympic Agenda’s Impact on Olympic Host Cities from 2016 to 2024: A Game-Changing Strategy or Symbolic Policy Making?

Abstract

This thesis evaluates the efficacy of the Olympic Agenda 2020, an ambitious policy introduced by the International Olympic Committee to transform the Olympic Games' planning, management, and legacy aspects. Through an in-depth examination of three consecutive Summer Olympics—Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024—this research provides a nuanced analysis of the Agenda's implementation across different stages of its lifecycle: before, during, and after its formal introduction. The study meticulously dissects the multifaceted impact of the Olympic Games, with a pronounced emphasis on infrastructure, to assess how the Agenda influences governance structures, legacy planning, and financial strategies within these host cities. Through a structured comparative analysis, the findings of this research illuminate the complex realities of hosting the Olympic Games under the new Agenda, revealing a spectrum of outcomes across these Games. While the Agenda ambitiously seeks to promote sustainability, cost-efficiency, and enduring legacies for host cities, the actual impact has been inconsistent and, at times, underwhelming. The analysis argues that the Agenda's effectiveness has been compromised by its broad and often ambiguous rhetoric, the absence of compelling incentives for thorough implementation, and a lack of rigorous regulatory oversight. Such shortcomings have diluted the potentially transformative power of the Agenda, leading to its characterization as symbolic policymaking rather than a catalyst for profound and tangible enhancements in Olympic hosting paradigms. Future policies must incorporate explicit, actionable measures to effectively build upon the foundational principles established by the Olympic Agenda 2020. Success hinges on establishing clear, enforceable incentives and regulatory frameworks that ensure stringent compliance with IOC mandates, elevating the hosting experience to align with the envisioned ideals of the Olympic Movement. This research underscores the necessity for a strategic reevaluation of Olympic reforms, advocating for a more structured and accountable approach to realizing the lofty ambitions of the Olympic Agenda 2020.