Journey to the Olympics: The Story Hidden Behind the Glamour

올림픽은 전 세계 사람들이 함께 즐기는 가장 큰 스포츠 행사로, 개최국이 글로벌 무대에서 자신의 위상을 드러낼 수 있는 중요한 기회입니다. 그러나 우리가 보는 것은 화려한 개회식과 감동적인 경쟁 순간들뿐입니다. 그 이면에는 수년 간의 철저한 준비와 경제적 부담, 환경 문제, 정치적 갈등, 그리고 게임이 끝난 후 도시들에 남겨지는 유산과 같은 다양한 이야기들이 존재합니다. 이제 아래에서 하나씩 확인해보겠습니다.

The Olympics is the largest sports event enjoyed by people all over the world and an important opportunity for the host country to showcase its status on a global stage. However, what we see are only the glamorous opening ceremonies and moving moments of competition. Behind the scenes, there are various stories involving years of thorough preparation, economic burdens, environmental issues, political conflicts, and the legacies left in the cities after the games conclude.

How do today’s Olympic host cities prepare for the event? What sacrifices accompany the construction of stadiums and athlete villages? What impact does the Olympics have on cities and countries after it ends?

This article aims to explore the hidden stories behind the facade of the Olympics and highlight the unexpected twists that we may not have been aware of. The Olympics is not just a sports event; it is a massive project that influences global order, the economy, and the environment.

1. The First Step Towards a Dream

One day, the eyes of the world focus on a single city. This city is the protagonist that has won the right to host the Olympics after fierce competition. Citizens cheer, and national leaders raise their glasses, promising future prosperity. However, the process of preparing for the Olympics does not simply mean joy and glory. Behind it lies a complex preparation process and unexpected conflicts that few know about.

2. Stadium Construction and the Disappearance of Homes

Once the decision to host the Olympics is made, the first task is to begin the construction of stadiums and infrastructure. Billions of dollars are invested to build new stadiums, and construction begins throughout the city. However, during this process, the city undergoes rapid changes, and the people who originally lived there must leave.

In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, slums were demolished for the 2016 Olympics, causing countless people to lose their homes. The government justified this with the claim of “urban development,” but ultimately, after the Olympics ended, the stadiums were left abandoned, and many questioned what their sacrifices were for.

3. Economic Burdens and Realistic Concerns

The Olympics require a massive economic investment. If the event is successful, it could revitalize the economy through tourism and investment attraction. However, the reality is not that simple. The 1976 Montreal Olympics exceeded its budget, leaving the host city in debt for decades. In contrast, the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics recorded a surplus by maximizing the use of existing facilities.

The fate of a city can often be determined by a single choice. “Is it really necessary to build a new stadium?” “How will the facilities be utilized after the event?” Host cities for the Olympics constantly grapple with these concerns as they prepare.

4. Politics and the Olympics: Sports or a Diplomatic Stage?

The Olympics is a pure sports festival, but politics is always intertwined behind the scenes. In the 1980 Moscow Olympics, several Western countries, including the United States, boycotted the event, reflecting the tensions of the Cold War era. The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics also became controversial due to diplomatic boycotts amid international conflicts.

When the Olympics, which advocates sportsmanship and peace, occasionally transforms into a stage for diplomatic confrontations among powerful nations, the contemplation of its pure values deepens.

5. The Dilemma of Environmental Protection and Sustainability

The modern Olympics emphasizes sustainability as a key value. The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics has declared its intention to minimize environmental damage by maximizing the use of existing facilities. However, there have been many opposing cases in the past. The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics led to environmental degradation due to large-scale development, resulting in the loss of wildlife habitats.

Balancing national development through the Olympics while simultaneously protecting the environment remains a challenge that still needs to be addressed.

6. The Story After the Olympics

Once the Olympics concludes, the glamour of the event gradually fades, leaving behind reality. Unused stadiums, operational cost issues, and the transformed cityscape due to the Olympics. However, some cities turn these changes into opportunities. London converted its athlete village into residential areas after the 2012 Olympics, while Barcelona revitalized its tourism industry and grew its economy following the 1992 Olympics.

The Olympics is not just a sports event. It is a massive project that determines the future of a city and a country, accompanied by numerous sacrifices and choices. How much do we know about the stories hidden behind the glamorous opening ceremonies? And in what direction should future Olympics head?

The answer to that question lies in the hands of everyone involved in preparing for the Olympics.