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Historically, the Olympics attracted dozens of cities vying for the opportunity to showcase their culture and infrastructure. However, as the years progressed, this enthusiasm has plummeted. For instance, while 12 cities submitted bids for the 2004 Games, the 2024 host selection saw only two contenders. The alarming trend illustrates a waning interest that has not gone unnoticed by the IOC.
The decline in bids is attributed to several factors, with the most pressing being the exorbitant costs associated with hosting. The financial burden coupled with the political risks—evident from historical controversies like the violent protests during the 1968 Mexico City Games and the tragic events of the 1972 Munich Games—has made cities hesitant to bid.