Data Collection

Olympics is a global sporting event, which features two different events including summer sports and winter sports, where numerous athletes from nearly 206 nations participate in various competitions. The games are held in a gap of every two years, where summer as well as winter games alternatively take place (Olympic Games, 2017). The last Olympic event took place in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in 2016 (Olympic Games, 2017a). Considering the historical aspect, Olympic Games were first dedicated to the Olympian Gods back in 776 BC, where the ancient plains in Olympia were used to be their main stage. The games continued successfully for 12 centuries, which stopped in 393 A.D., where Emperor Theodosius banned the Olympic Games denoting it as “pagan cults”. Ancient Olympic Games were a part of Greek Mythology, where “Pelops” was considered as its founders. Thus Olympic Games has a strong history behind it (Olympic Games, 2017b). In 1896, the modern Olympic first started in Athens, Greece and after it has continued till the present date (Olympic Games, 2017a).

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has processed hosting of the global event in different cities of the world. The process starts with inviting National Olympics Committee (NOC) countries by the IOC, where the interest towards bidding needs to be declared before 10 years of the Olympic Games. After the proposal, NOCs come forward with their respective cities as candidate, before 9 years of the Olympic Games. Some of the stages include vision, strategy, games concept, governance as well as venue finding. The last stage is the assessment regarding whether the cities can deliver the best experience for Olympic Games or not along with determination of the venue legacy. These stages are completed within 3 years and finally host city elections are organized by IOC member, where one particular city is selected to host the event of Olympics (Olympic Games, 2017c).

The study explores around the eligibility, strengths as well as facilities of Melbourne for hosting an Olympic Event in the future. Therefore, data analysis has been conducted keeping the factors of Melbourne along with the implications for the upcoming future are discussed, which completes the research objective.

The list of operational requirements for successfully hosting the Olympic Games event comprises of numerous factors, which includes product along with experience, stakeholder services, venue as well as infrastructure, games services, commercial, governance and engagement. Under these key factors, there are various sub categories, which has to be high quality, so that it can address the overall requirements for hosting the event. Few of the sub-categories are torch relay of Olympics, city partners along with live site, marketing partners, people management, energy, venues, accommodation, transport, medical services, foods as well as beverages, finance, games management, technology, protocol, city operations, arrivals, departures, brand, look regarding the games, rights protections and digital media among others. Before selecting a host city, the IOC members will look around all these categories for the successful conduction of the event without any loopholes. Hence, if Melbourne is proposed as a host city by the Australian Olympic Committee Inc, they need to assure the fulfillment of the above mentioned factors (IOC, 2016).

Data Analysis

Considering this particular study, quantitative data has been used to analyze the applicability of Melbourne in hosting Olympics in the upcoming years. Secondary data has been used for the analytical process. Considering the factors of the finance and economy, total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Melbourne since 2003 to 2013 has been used (OECD, 2017). The second variable was the overall head count of the general practice members present in Victoria between the years 2003 and 2016 considering the factor of medical services (Commonwealth of Australia, 2017). The last variable used in the process of selecting the host country is was the total number of flights available from Melbourne to different locations in regards to the factors of transportation in between the years 2003-2016 (Australian Government, 2017). Data from these three variables were analyzed for determining that whether Melbourne should host Olympics or not.

Data analysis is an important aspect, which helps in obtaining useful along with usable information. Data may be qualitative or quantitative, but the analysis will be helpful in describing as well as summarizing the information. Thus, it helps in identifying the relationship between the dependent variables and independent variables. Additionally, the variables are compared, for determining the forecasted outcomes. Hence, accurate along with organized presentation of data is necessary before analysis is conducted. Considering the graphical as well as descriptive representation of data, diverse tools are required for supporting the process of data analysis. This may include tools such which are Microsoft Excel and SPSS software among others (UIO, 2017).

Considering the graphical representation in the study, figure 2 clearly indicates the changes occurred from 2003 to 2016 in terms GDP in millions, head count of the workforce of general practices as well as number of flights available from Melbourne to different nations. The graph displays a growth in all the three variables respectively from 2003 to 2016, which indicates positive results for Melbourne to be considered for hosting the Olympic Games in the future.

Descriptive analyses of the data obtained from three variables are provided in Table 1 below. Taking GDP (in millions) in concern, the average GDP or mean of Melbourne since 2003 to 2016 resulted to be accounting for AUD$ 157,962.7926 million. The maximum value was AUD$ 177,438.2728 and the minimum was accounted to be AUD$ 140,221.7 million. Considering the general practices (head count), the average value in all over Victoria was observed to be approximately 6,486 in the time period of mentioned time period. The maximum value with respect to the head count accounted to be 8,329, while the least value was observed to be 5,402 in the same time frame. Additionally, descriptive analysis of the number of flights flying from Melbourne since 2003 to 2016 indicated an average of 30,400. The maximum number of flights in Melbourne was recorded to be 459,81, while the minimum till date was 4,237. After the entire descriptive analysis, it was evident that the number of flights increased with the most percentage since 2003 till 2016. 

Presentation of Data

Table 1: Descriptive Analysis of Data

 

Table 2: Data Sheet

The data sheet in Table 2 above indicates all the data of the three variables since 2003 to 2016. However, the GDP in millions for Melbourne was only available till 2013. Hence, forecasting formula in the Microsoft Excel has been used to retrieve the future data specifically for calculating GDP for 2014, 2015 and 2016, which resulted in 170,828 million, 173,948 million and 177,438 million respectively. Additionally, the head count of general practice members was evaluated from the complete Australian data retrieved, where specifically the head count of Victoria was selected for data analysis. The third and the final variable, which indicated the number of flights, were retrieved from the Australian government website, where the information was provided on the basis of the flights flying from Melbourne to each destination around the world. Therefore, calculation was evaluated based on the total number of flights flying in a year and summarized has been summarized in Table 3 below, where the total values were generated by considering data from 2003-2016.

 

Table 3: Calculation of Number of Flights

Furthermore, the three variables used in the data analysis needs to be described. The key function of GDP is to calculate the entire revenue earned from the sale of the produced goods. GDP is referred as the monetary worth of the ultimate products as well as services in a country during a given period of time and is measured on yearly or quarterly basis. The products are valued under same units all over the world i.e. dollars and excludes the goods with no market value. . The intermediate goods are used for assembling any final product, thus is not taken while calculating the GDP as they are already included. Only finished products are considered in the calculation of GDP. Therefore, GDP is one of the most important aspects for any city to host an event like Olympic Games, where indication of higher value will be more preferable (Brooks, 2014).

Moreover, general practice helps in providing continuing, person-centered, coordinated as well as comprehensive healthcare facilities to the people and their families in the society. General practitioners (GP) are the medical experts or doctors, who can treat chronic along with acute illness and help in providing health education as along with preventive care to the injured individuals or patients. Hence the headcount of the General practitioners in Victoria is an essential factor for smooth hosting of the Olympic Games, where any injury to the athletes can be treated as soon as possible (RACGP, 2017).

Additionally, the last variable is the total number of flights available from Melbourne indicating the effectiveness of the air transport facility. Additional number of flights for diverse destinations around the world provides cities with an advantage. Hence, Melbourne can also have the same advantages considering the maximum number of flights, which will enhance the overall transportation process of athletes and delegates from all around the world participating in the Olympics (Australian Government, 2017).

 

Figure 1: Growth Rate in GDP (in millions)

Considering Figure 1, it is clearly evident that GDP had a little fluctuation over the years towards constant growth. In 2016, the amount of GDP of Melbourne reached approximately accounted $180,000 million depicting that Melbourne has a higher GDP to organize a multinational sporting event like Olympic Games, which will surely impress the IOC during their research. GDP is a strong factor behind obtaining approval for hosting the Olympic Games.

Taking in consideration, the head count of general practitioners in Victoria, has been highlighted with the support of Figure 4 indicating positive growth along the years from 2003-2016. This is a positive sight for any state of any country, where the numbers of general practitioners are increasing on a daily basis. . Additionally, the growth rate was observed to be was steady till the year 2009. Then after, the growth rate has significantly increased. This instance will surely be effective in providing better medical services, if Melbourne is selected as a host city for the Olympic Games in future.

 

Figure 2: Growth Rate in Number of Flights

Moreover, Figure 2 highlights the number of flights, which depicts significant changes from 2003 to 2016. In 2005, the value was approximately 10,000 flights, which observed increase of nearly 28,000 flights in 2006. Considering the value till 2016, near about 46,000 flights are available from Melbourne, which can deliver the athletes, delegates as well as the authorities to any parts of the world. Large number of flights can be considered as a huge booster for Melbourne in getting a chance for hosting Olympics.

After the complete analytical research of whether Melbourne or Sydney should host Olympic Games or not, it was evident that Melbourne can be selected as the city for hosting multi-national sporting event like Olympics, as it has adequate facilities ,which are required for organizing such big events. Melbourne is the second most densely populated cities in Victoria, and as per the analysis, it is quite clear that it can host the Olympic event. The key findings of the study were that there has been a significant growth of Melbourne considering the amount of GDP, general practitioners as well as availability of maximum number of flights since 2003 till 2016. Melbourne is one of the major cities of Australia and has most all the required facilities for organizing multi-national events like Olympic Games.

Alternatively, if a comparison can be made between Sydney and Melbourne, there are some facts, which will provide a better overview. Taking into consideration, the weather statistics indicate Sydney is better than Melbourne, as the changes are totally unpredictable in Melbourne. This is factor, which can affect Melbourne from being a host of Olympic Games. Additionally, the other two factors of sightseeing as well as nature are comparatively poor in Melbourne as compared to Sydney. Melbourne has a good architectural layout but Sydney has the advantage of beautiful nature and greenery. Besides, considering the factors of transportation, shopping, food, and culture as well as night life is far better in Melbourne than Sydney, which can be considered advantageous for any tourist visiting Melbourne. Sightseeing and nature may not be an essential factor for sporting activities, but weather is an area of concern for Melbourne. Other factors mentioned are better enough to organizing and serving the Olympic event along with the athletes participating in it.

Moreover, contextualizing the entire data analysis, it should be clearly stated that the factors taken into consideration for the study are secondary data, which helps in providing approximate results that may not be accurate. Primary data will be more helpful in determining the strengths of Melbourne as a host city for the Olympics. However, interpreting the results provides positive relationship of Melbourne with GDP, head counts of general practitioners as well as number of flights availability. Results clearly indicates the growth considering the all the three variables in the favor of Melbourne. However, the other factors of IOC research, which includes marketing partners, people management, energy, venues, accommodation, games management, technology and protocol along with city operations among others, are still necessary to be assessed. Until and unless all these factors properly are analyzed, an accurate analysis of the capacity of Melbourne is not completely possible. The analysis is not hypothetical, but the results are not accurate. However, if the positive results are taken into concern, Melbourne can easily host an Olympic Games event considering the growth in the past a along with present and the future

Future Implications actually depends upon the experiences in the past. According to the past instances, Melbourne has been successfully growing in all the aspects such as GDP, transport as well as medical services. Considering Olympics, two cities Melbourne and Sydney of Australia have hosted the famous event once back in 1956 and 2000 respectively. In 1956, total of 3,314 athletes from 72 NOCs comprising of 2,938 men as well as 376 women participated the event comprising 145 events. In the year 2000, nearly 10,651 athletes from 1,999 NOCs along with four individuals from IOA participated, where 6,582 were men and 4,069 were women. Total number of events that took place during the vent accounted for 300, which was supported by 46,967 volunteers under media coverage of 16,033 sources, where 5,298 were written press, along with 10,735 broadcasters. Both the events were quite successful according to the summary reports presented after the event. Considering, Olympics of 2024 and 2028 will be held in Paris and Los Angeles respectively. Therefore, Australia should target for 2032 Olympics, for which the bidding offer will start from 2022 by the IOC. The elections will start on 2023 for the Olympics Games, where Melbourne can be selected as the host city

Conclusion

Melbourne can be regarded as one of the important cities around the world, which is surrounded with all the facilities required for hosting the event of Olympics. Moreover, it can be stated that Melbourne already has the experience of hosting Olympic Games in the past and hence, they will have the idea of planning and implementing the event successfully. According to the data analysis, Melbourne has proved to be one of the fastest growing cities in Victoria, which by the year 2030 will be good enough to host the event of Olympics.

References

Australian Government. (2017). International airlines – operated flights and seats. Retrieved September 27, 2017, from https://data.gov.au/dataset/international-airlines-operated-flights-and-seats

Brooks, W. (2014). Gross domestic product. Measuring a nation’s income, 1-36.

Commonwealth of Australia. (2017). General practice statistics. Retrieved September 27, 2017, from https://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/General+Practice+Statistics-1

IOC. (2016). Host city contract: operational requirements. Retrieved September 27, 2017, from https://stillmed.olympic.org/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/Documents/Host-City-Elections/XXXIII-Olympiad-2024/Host-City-Contract-2024-Operational-Requirements.pdf

OECD. (2017). Metropolitan areas: GDP from cities. Retrieved September 27, 2017, from https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=CITIES#

Olympic Games. (2017). National Olympic committees. Retrieved September 27, 2017, from https://www.olympic.org/national-olympic-committees

Olympic Games. (2017a). The organization. Retrieved September 27, 2017, from https://www.olympic.org/about-ioc-institution

Olympic Games. (2017b). History. Retrieved September 27, 2017, from https://www.olympic.org/ancient-olympic-games/history

Olympic Games. (2017c). From candidate to host city. Retrieved September 27, 2017, from https://www.olympic.org/host-city-election

RACGP. (2017). Becoming a GP in Australia. Retrieved September 27, 2017, from https://www.racgp.org.au/becomingagp/what-is-a-gp/what-is-general-practice/

UIO. (2017). Data Analysis, interpretation and presentation. Retrieved September 27, 2017, from https://www.uio.no/studier/emner/matnat/ifi/INF4260/h10/undervisningsmateriale/DataAnalysis.pdf