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IOC unveils proposals on Olympic bidding reforms

The International Olympic Committee will vote on proposals next month in hopes of providing “a strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement.” The IOC will discuss 40 proposals, called “Olympic Agenda 2020,” that will be voted on by the full IOC membership Dec. 8-9 in Monaco.
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The International Olympic Committee will vote on proposals next month in hopes of providing “a strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement.”

The IOC will discuss 40 proposals, called “Olympic Agenda 2020,” that will be voted on by the full IOC membership Dec. 8-9 in Monaco. One of the proposals involves changing the bidding process. The IOC says it wants a new philosophy that fits cities’ “sporting, economic, social and environmental long-term planning needs.”

Among the proposals, the IOC wants to allow for some Summer Olympic sports events to be held outside of the host country. Host countries for Winter Games are already allowed to hold events in neighboring countries.

"These 40 recommendations are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle," IOC president Thomas Bach said. "When you put them together, a picture emerges that shows the IOC safeguarding the uniqueness of the Olympic Games and strengthening sport in society. Now is the time for change.

Bach said that the IOC must seize the moment to make changes and enhance the Olympic experience.

The IOC also wants to make the games less costly. It cost $14 billion for London to host the 2012 Summer Games and it cost Sochi a reported $51 billion to host the Winter Games earlier this year.

They also want to launch an Olympic TV Channel, include non-discrimination on sexual orientation, and “move from a sport-based to an event-based program," which would allow more than 28 sports to be on the Olympic program.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will host the 2016 Summer Olympics, Pyeongchang, South Korea, will host the 2018 Winter Games and Tokyo will host the 2020 Summer Olympics.

- Scooby Axson