SafekipediaBids for the 2014 Winter Olympics
Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience
Several cities wanted to host the 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. They asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) if they could hold the games. The IOC picked three cities to continue: Sochi in Russia, Salzburg in Austria, and Pyeongchang in South Korea.
Each of these three cities made big plans and sent their ideas to the IOC. In early 2007, a special group visited each city to check everything out. They made a report to help the IOC decide.
In July 2007, the IOC met in Guatemala City to choose the host city. After some voting, Sochi won and got to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. Even though Pyeongchang didn’t win this time, it was chosen later to host the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Candidature procedure and timeline
Cities wanting to host the 2014 Winter Olympics had to get approval from their country's Olympic committee. They submitted their applications to the IOC by July 28, 2005, and completed a questionnaire by February 1, 2006. An IOC group reviewed these answers and picked three cities to move forward on June 22, 2006.
These three cities then submitted detailed plans about how they would host the Olympics on January 10, 2007. The IOC visited each city in February and March 2007 and shared a report about them on June 4. Finally, during a meeting in Guatemala City on July 4, 2007, the IOC voted, and Sochi, Russia, was chosen to host the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Evaluation of the applicant cities
Each cell in the table shows scores that the cities received for different criteria. These scores range from a minimum to a maximum, and they are compared to a benchmark score of 6.
- [Report by the IOC candidature acceptance working group to the IOC Executive Board](
| Criteria | Weight | Sochi | Salzburg | Jaca | Almaty | Pyeongchang | Sofia | Borjomi | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 RUS |  AUT |  ESP |  KAZ |  KOR |  BUL |  GEO | |||||||||
| Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | ||
| Governmental support, legal issues, public opinion | 2 | 6.6 | 7.5 | 6.6 | 7.2 | 7.3 | 8.1 | 4.7 | 5.9 | 7.9 | 8.5 | 5.1 | 6.4 | 4.5 | 5.6 |
| General infrastructure | 5 | 5.8 | 6.9 | 7.8 | 8.6 | 4.8 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 7.9 | 6.4 | 7.6 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 2.7 | 4.2 |
| Sport venues | 4 | 5.5 | 7.1 | 7.2 | 8.4 | 5.0 | 6.6 | 4.7 | 6.9 | 6.8 | 8.1 | 3.6 | 5.4 | 3.4 | 4.9 |
| Olympic Village(s) | 3 | 7.4 | 8.6 | 7.9 | 8.9 | 4.2 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 8.0 | 5.2 | 7.2 | 4.8 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 7.2 |
| Environmental conditions and impact | 2 | 4.9 | 6.6 | 7.8 | 8.7 | 5.2 | 6.6 | 4.9 | 6.6 | 6.4 | 8.0 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 2.0 | 4.5 |
| Accommodation | 5 | 7.3 | 8.3 | 9.6 | 9.6 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 5.9 | 9.6 | 9.6 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 3.0 | 4.1 |
| Transport concept | 3 | 5.9 | 7.7 | 7.1 | 8.6 | 2.6 | 4.3 | 7.6 | 8.8 | 6.6 | 8.0 | 2.6 | 4.3 | 2.2 | 4.3 |
| Safety and security | 3 | 6.0 | 6.7 | 7.6 | 8.2 | 6.8 | 7.3 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 7.4 | 8.1 | 4.3 | 5.3 | 3.4 | 4.7 |
| Experience from past sport events | 3 | 5.2 | 7.2 | 8.6 | 9.6 | 6.8 | 8.4 | 3.8 | 5.4 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 5.4 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 |
| Finance | 3 | 6.0 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 6.5 | 8.0 | 5.6 | 6.8 | 6.2 | 7.6 | 4.6 | 5.8 | 2.8 | 3.5 |
| Overall project and legacy | 3 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 |
Candidate cities overview
All three cities planned to host the XXII Olympic Winter Games from February 7 to 23, and the Paralympics from March 7 to 16.
Pyeongchang
Main article: Pyeongchang bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics
Pyeongchang was chosen by the Korean Olympic Committee over Muju in December 2004 and was the first city to submit its bid to the International Olympic Committee. The city launched a big campaign after narrowly missing out on the 2010 games to Vancouver. The 2014 plan focused all venues within one hour of Pyeongchang and needed lots of new buildings and infrastructure, including the new Alpensia Resort. The games were meant to share a message of peace for the country.
Since 2003, the area had been picked to host several big winter sports events and wanted to become a major winter sports place in Asia. Although an IOC team praised the local support and plans, the bid faced some criticism because Pyeongchang wasn't a well-known tourist spot, needed lots of artificial snow, had shorter slopes, and fewer local facilities. Later, Pyeongchang was chosen to host the 2018 Winter Olympics and the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics.
Salzburg
Main article: Salzburg bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics
The Austrian city was eliminated in the first round of voting for the 2010 games. For 2014, the plan was smaller than before, with some venues removed. The place for bobsled, skeleton, and luge events was in Germany.
Sochi
Main article: Sochi bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics
The Russian Black Sea resort tried for the Winter Olympics three times, not making the list in 1998 and 2002. The main outdoor sports area was at the Krasnaya Polyana ski resort, designed by the same team from the 2010 Winter Olympics, and set to open in 2007. Sochi would host the indoor winter sports. The city had many hotel rooms and strong support from local leaders, which were thought to help its chances.
Applicant cities overview
Several cities wanted to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. They all sent their plans to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). But only three cities were chosen to continue: Sochi, Salzburg, and Pyeongchang. These three cities sent their final plans to the IOC in January 2007.
Note: the cities are listed in the presentation order determined by draw during the IOC Executive Board meeting of 26 October 2005.
| Logo | Name | Country (IOC Country Code) |
|---|---|---|
| Jaca | Spain (ESP) | |
| Jaca has failed four times in bidding for the Winter Olympics—for the 1998, 2002, 2010, and 2014 Olympics. It has previously hosted the 1981 and 1995 Winter Universiades, and hosted the European Youth Olympic Festival in February 2007. Skiing events were proposed to take place at ski resorts of the Pyrenees: Candanchú, Formigal, Astún and Panticosa. Most of the ice events, as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies (at La Romareda Stadium), were to take place 142 km (88 mi) south of Jaca in Zaragoza. Preliminary ice hockey competitions were to take place in Jaca and Huesca. Jaca bid for 2002 but missed the short list, which was limited to Östersund (Sweden), Quebec City (Canada), Sion (Switzerland) and Salt Lake City (US), the eventual host. Jaca did not make the short list because the Opening and Closing Ceremonies were not scheduled to take place in Jaca, which is in contradiction with article 34.1 of the Olympic Charter. | ||
| Almaty | Kazakhstan (KAZ) | |
Main article: Almaty bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, submitted its official bid for the 2014 Olympics to the International Olympic Committee. The city had already planned to host the 2011 Winter Asian Games. The National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan cited the city would have used existing indoor sports facilities and the Chimbulak Mountain ski slopes. The bid was quite compact; all of the ice events were to be held in downtown Almaty and the alpine events in nearby Kumbel. The farthest events would have been in the Soldatskoe Valley venue, 45 km (28 miles) away from the center of Almaty and the Olympic Village. The historic Medew ice rink would have been the speed skating venue and would have been covered for the Games. Based on the scores released by the executive committee report, Almaty was placed fourth overall and would have been eligible for the shortlist because it had cleared the benchmark for some categories. However, IOC president Jacques Rogge said in the process of shortlisting to determine an Olympic Host City, what matters is "not quantity, but the quality" of the overall bids. Although Almaty presented a good bid, it was implied it was not at the same standard as the three that were selected to enter the shortlist. After the 2014 setback, Kazakhstan attempts to bid the 2018 Olympics and 2022 Olympics, but was beaten by Pyeongchang, South Korea and Beijing, China in 2011 and 2015. | ||
| Sofia | Bulgaria (BUL) | |
| Sofia submitted its application in the city's third attempt to land the Winter Games after losing the 1992 and 1994 nominations to Albertville and Lillehammer, respectively. The proposed Olympics was based on three main centers; Sofia, Borovets and Bansko. Sofia would have hosted the ice events, bobsleigh and luge events in nearby Vitosha natural park. The ambitious, multi-million-euro Super Borovets 70 kilometres (43 miles) away expansion project would have hosted cross-country skiing, freestyle skiing and snowboarding events. Near Sofia is the fast-developing resort Bansko 159 km (99 miles). Bansko, the site of the 2007 European biathlon championship, would have hosted the biathlon and alpine skiing events. The city's bid also gained significant political support within the country and sent in its application early on 17 April 2004. Sofia missed the 2014 shortlist on 22 June 2006. According to experts, the main reason for the 2014 elimination was the lack of detailed information provided in the reply to the IOC's questionnaire. | ||
| Borjomi | Georgia (GEO) | |
| Despite the lack of sports infrastructure, Georgia reportedly had the money and the will to host the Winter Olympics. The Games were proposed to be held in two locations: Borjomi and Tbilisi, which are about 200 km (120 miles) apart. Borjomi was the proposed venue for the outdoor sports disciplines (Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Bobsleigh, Cross Country Skiing, Freestyle Skiing, Luge, Nordic Combined, Skeleton, Ski Jumping and Snowboard), while Tbilisi was expected to host the indoor sports disciplines (Curling, Figure Skating, Ice-Hockey, Short Track Speed Skating and Speed Skating). The Opening and Closing Ceremonies were expected to take place in the natural amphitheatre in the center of Bakuriani, a suburb of Borjomi. Bakuriani would also have been the venue for the cross-country and freestyle skiing. | ||
Applicant cities comparison
*Airports not included
Note: the cities are listed in the presentation order defined by the IOC during its Executive Board of 26 October 2005.
| Category | Details | Sochi Russia | Salzburg Austria | Jaca Spain | Almaty Kazakhstan | Pyeongchang Korea | Sofia Bulgaria | Borjomi Georgia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | City (2005) | 333,267 | 149,997 | 12,322 | 1,185,696 | 45,482 | 1,090,295 | 13,725 |
| Country (2005) | 143,420,309 | 8,184,691 | 40,341,462 | 15,185,844 | 48,294,134 | 7,450,349 | 4,677,401 | |
| Public opinion, support | City | 84% | 60% | 91% | 83% | 97% | 81% | |
| Country | 53% | 72% | 85% | 92% | 74% | 86% | ||
| Bid budget (million US$) | Phase I | 10.0 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 0.5 | 2.2 |
| Phase II | 17.5 | 5.1 | 10.7 | 16.0 | 16.0 | 12.5 | 5.0 | |
| Main airport, 2005/2014 | Name | Sochi International | Salzburg Airport | Zaragoza Airport | Almaty International | Incheon International | Sofia International | Tbilisi International |
| Distance (km) | 6 | 5 | 156 | 22 | 241 | 10 | 203 | |
| Runways | 2/2 | 1 | 2 | 1/2 | 2/3 | 1 | 2/2 | |
| Terminals | 1/2 | 2 | 1/2 | 1/2 | ||||
| Gates | 8/27 | 18 | 3 | 44/74 | 7 | 2/6 | ||
| Cap./year | 215,213 | 1,650,000/3,000,000 | 2,000,000/4,000,000 | |||||
| Cap./day | 40,000 | 24,000/48,000 | ||||||
| Cap./hour | 1,200/2,500 | 12,000/17,253 | /2,000 | |||||
| Longest distance* | km | 86 | 83 | 180 | 61 | 124 | 156 | 199 |
| min | 94 | 65 | 150 | 93 | 76 | 135 | 196 |
Applicant cities venues list
These venues are from the mini bid books of the cities that wanted to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. The three cities that were chosen later, especially Sochi, changed some of their venue plans when they made their final proposals.
| Event | Sochi | Salzburg | Jaca | Almaty | Pyeongchang | Sofia | Borjomi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dates | 7 February 23 February | 7 February 23 February | 31 January 16 February | 7 February 23 February | 7 February 23 February | 10 February 26 February | 7 February 23 February |
| Opening and closing ceremonies | Fisht Olympic Stadium | Wals Siezenheim Stadium | La Romareda, Zaragoza | Almaty Central Stadium | Alpensia | Vasil Levski National Stadium | Ceremony Plaza (Bakuriani) |
| Alpine skiing speed M | Roza Khutor Alpine Resort | Flachauwinkl | Formigal | Shymbulak | Jungbong Alpine Skiing Area | Shiligarnik (Bansko) | Borjomi Didveli Sakvelo Track |
| Alpine skiing speed W | Roza Khutor Alpine Resort | Altenmarkt / Zauchensee | Formigal | Shymbulak | Jungbong Alpine Skiing Area | Shiligarnik (Bansko) | Borjomi Didveli Sakvelo Track |
| Alpine skiing technical M | Roza Khutor Alpine Resort | Flachau | Candanchú | Shymbulak | Yongpyong Resort | Banderishka Poliana (Bansko) | Borjomi Didveli |
| Alpine skiing technical W | Roza Khutor Alpine Resort | Flachau | Candanchú | Shymbulak | Yongpyong Resort | Banderishka Poliana (Bansko) | Borjomi Didveli |
| Cross country skiing | Psekhako Ridge | Radstadt / Altenmarkt | Candanchú | Soldatskoe Valley Cross Country Skiing and Biathlon Stadium | Alpensia | Borovetz | Bakuriani Iagora Valley |
| Nordic combined C-C | Psekhako Ridge | Bischofshofen | Candanchú | Sunkar International Ski Jumping Complex | Alpensia | Borovetz | Borjomi Kokhtadziri |
| Freestyle skiing | Laura River Valley Resort | Flachauwinkl | Astún | Shymbulak | Bokwang Phoenix | Cherveno Zname (Borovetz) | Bakuriani Kokhta 2 Tatra Pom |
| Biathlon | Psekhako Ridge | Radstadt / Altenmarkt | Candanchú | Soldatskoe Valley Cross Country Skiing and Biathlon Stadium | Alpensia | Banderishka Poliana (Bansko) | Borjomi Iagora Valley |
| Ski jumping | Esto Sadok | Bischofshofen | Canfranc-Estación Jumping Centre | Sunkar International Ski Jumping Complex | Alpensia | Borovetz | Borjomi Kokhtadziri |
| Snowboard | Alpika Service | Altenmarkt / Zauchensee Flachau | Panticosa | Shymbulak | Sungwoo Resort | Cherveno Zname (Borovetz) | Bakuriani Kokhta 2 Tatra Pom |
| Ice Hockey | Sochi Arena Kudepsta Entertainment Centre | Salzburg Volksgarten Salzburg Wals | Jaca Ice Pavilion Huesca Sports Palace Zaragoza Ice Pavilion | Almaty Olympic Ice Park | Wonju Sports Complex Wonju Halla University | Winter Sports Palace West Park Sports Center (Sofia) | Tbilisi Makhata Hill Arenas |
| Speed skating | Adler Commercial Centre | Salzburg Liefering Oval | Jaca High Performance Winter Sports Centre | Medeo | Gangneung | East Park National Olympic Center (Sofia) | Tbilisi Central Stadium |
| Figure skating | Imeretinskaya Exhibition Centre | Salzburg Liefering | Príncipe Felipe Pavilion, Zaragoza | Almaty Olympic Ice Park | Gangneung | East Park National Olympic Center (Sofia) | Tbilisi Sport Palace |
| Short track | Imeretinskaya Exhibition Centre | Salzburg Liefering | Príncipe Felipe Pavilion, Zaragoza | Almaty Olympic Ice Park | Gangneung | East Park National Olympic Center (Sofia) | Tbilisi Sport Palace |
| Curling | Imeretinskaya Exhibition Centre | Salzburg Arena | Zaragoza Sports Palace | Baluan Sholak Sports Palace | Gangneung | Sofia | Tbilisi Makhata Hill |
| Bobsleigh/luge/skeleton | National Sliding Centre | Schönau am Königsee (Germany) | Panticosa Sliding Centre | Almatau | Sungwoo Resort | Boiana Center | Borjomi Tskhratskaro |
Potential bids
Some cities showed interest in hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics but decided not to go forward with their bids.
These cities included Andorra la Vella in Andorra, which did not get support from its Olympic Committee. Annecy in France also did not receive backing after Paris lost its bid for the 2012 games. Other cities like Erzurum in Turkey, Harbin in China, Munich in Germany, Östersund in Sweden, Quebec City in Canada, Reno and Lake Tahoe in the United States, Tromsø in Norway, and Zürich in Switzerland all decided not to proceed for various reasons such as lack of support or resources.
Votes results of the 2014 Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics
Four years earlier, Pyeongchang was ahead in the first vote but lost in the second round to Vancouver, British Columbia. The voting patterns were quite similar.
There were two rounds of voting to choose the host city for the games. In the first round, Pyeongchang got 36 votes and Sochi got 34 votes. Salzburg was eliminated with 25 votes. In the second round, Pyeongchang received 47 votes, but Sochi gained most of Salzburg’s votes and received 51 votes, winning the bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
| 2014 Winter Olympics bidding results | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| candidate City | NOC | Round 1 | Round 2 | |||
| Sochi | Russia | 34 | 51 | |||
| Pyeongchang | South Korea | 36 | 47 | |||
| Salzburg | Austria | 25 | — | |||
Related articles
This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Bids for the 2014 Winter Olympics, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.