The 2016 Summer Olympic Games are opening in Rio de Janeiro amid environmental and health concerns ranging from the Zika virus to polluted competition waters. Brazil, which hosted the World Cup in 2014, is suffering from a deep recession and a political crisis. While the International Olympic Committee touts host cities’ economic legacy, the immense operational challenge of running a mega event creates intense logistical, security, and financial pressures. For ideas on how to improve future Olympics, I spoke with Chris Dempsey, a founding member of the group that defeated Boston’s bid for the 2024 Summer Games. The former Bain & Company consultant argues that recurring cost overruns and mothballed venues highlight the need for the Olympics to change its business model.
The Olympics Needs a New Business Model
Having a rotating host city is a 19th-century idea.
August 05, 2016
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HBR Learning
Sharpening Your Business Acumen Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Sharpening Your Business Acumen. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Take your career to the next level by learning business and finance basics, and developing an enterprise mindset.