What is the Process for Determining the Location of the Olympic Games?
The selection of a city to host each Olympics, winter or summer, is made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Selection is made seven years before the Olympics are scheduled to be held. This time buffer is intended to provide ample time for the chosen city to plan and prepare for the Olympics, which can be quite a daunting task given the enormity of the Olympic Games. There are three phases in the Olympic selection process: Phase 1: Applicant Cities There are 203 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) representing not only nations, but commonwealths, geographical areas, protectorates, and territories as well. If a city wishes to host the Olympics, a formal proposal must be made through its respective NOC. Once the proposal has been received by the IOC, the city is placed on a list with other applicant cities.
