belgium: 2024 olympics host city
TRANSCRIPT
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BELGIUM 2024 Olympics
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 2. IN 1. INTRODUCTION............................................................1
2
3. BA 2. BACKGROUND................................................................2
4. BE 3. BELGIUM: An Insight..................................................3
3.1 POLITICS.................................................................... 4
3.2 LEGAL...........................................................................5
3.3 ECOMOMICS..............................................................7
3.4 ENVIRONMENT.......................................................8
3.5 TECHNOLOGY..........................................................9
3.6 SOCIAL & CULTURAL ASPECTS....................10
3.6.1 GENDER EQUALITY.......................................12
3.6.2 ATTITUDES, LIFESTYLE, VALUES...........13
3.6.3 ATTITUDE TO ADVERTISING................... 14
3.6.4 TREATMENT OF IMMIGRANTS................16
5. 4. BELGIUM: 2024 Host City.....................................18
6. 5. CONCLUSION................................................................22
5.
7. RE 6. REFERENCES...............................................................23
4.6.5 LGBT
7. R LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.............................................4
Figure 2.............................................4
Figure 3.............................................8
Figure 4...........................................12
Figure 5...........................................12
Figure 6...........................................14
Figure 7...........................................15
Figure 8...........................................16
Figure 9...........................................19
Figure 10........................................19
Figure 11........................................23
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1. INTRODUCTION
The Olympic Games is an international sporting event that sees athletes from all around the world come
together to compete in summer and winter sports. The Olympic Games are held every four years since the
first Games in 1896, in Athens, and are held different geographical locations every year.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the superior authority watching over the Olympic Games, its
athletes, their representing countries and the Games spectators while also “promoting the Olympic values”
(Olympic Org, 2014).
With this information in mind, Belgium’s capital of Brussels has been chosen to be the possible host of the
2024 Olympic Games. Belgium, which is located between France and Germany, is known for its people,
culture and beautiful settings. It is believed that this country will be able to host one of the world’s most
anticipated sporting events.
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2. BACKGROUND
Belgium covers an area of 30,528 square kilometres, making in one of the smallest countries in the EU.
The capital and largest city of Belgium is Brussels.
Belgium is home to more than 11 million people, making it one of the most densely populated countries
in the world, in comparison to its size. Its neighbours, France and Germany, each have over populations
over 50 million.
More than half of the 11 million people speak Dutch, known as Flemish in Belgium. The rest speak
French and a small amount speaks German. Roman Catholicism is considered to be Belgium’s major
religion, but there is also a protestant minority.
Belgium is renowned for its beer, chocolate and waffles. There are over 800 kinds of beers made in
Belgium, and the average Belgian person drinks around 150 litres of beer per year. Belgium produces
220,000 tonnes of chocolate per year and Brussels international airport is the world’s biggest selling
point for chocolate. There are 3 main types of Belgian waffles- Liege waffles; which are the most
popular, Brussels’ waffles; which are quite large and normally eaten with strawberries, and ice cream
and galettes; which are most commonly eaten with breakfast.
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3. BELGIUM: AN INSIGHT
The following section provides a comprehensive
understanding of the entirety of Belgium, including
politics, law, economy, environment, technology and
most importantly, social and cultural aspects.
This insight aims to present information that details
the personality of Belgium, in order to understand the
type of host city it may become in 2024 for the Summer
Olympics.
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3.1 POLITICS Currently, the King of Belgium is King Phillippe, ascending the throne on 21 July,
2013, and Head of State. Charles Michel recently became Prime Minister on the
11th October 2014.
According the Belgian Federal Government (2013), the Belgian Dynasty began in
1831, when Belgium was given a Constitution, organizing the state as a
constitutional parliamentary monarchy.
This is a beneficial step forward for Belgium, as the country has evolved into a
democratic nation, with three main forms of government- the federal and regional
governments, as well as the community councils.
It is evident that through their political structure and reformations, that Belgium
seeks to be a country representative of its people. The opportunity to come
together to host the 2024 Olympic Games will only further bring together the
country politically.
4 Figure 2- Charles Michel, Belgium Prime Minister (SCMP, 2014)
Figure 1- King Philippe & Queen Mathilde (Vanen, 2013)
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Belgium’s judicial system was established after becoming
“independent of the Netherlands in 1830” (University of Oxford,
2014). Like Australia, Belgium’s legal system is made up of three
branches of government- the judiciary, executive and legislative
components.
A growth in the legal system can be displayed since Belgium last
hosted the Olympic Games in 1920, as an Administrative Court and a
Constitutional Court have since been established (in 1948 and 1980
respectively).
This legal system demonstrates the democratic nature of Belgium-
the country can be viewed as ‘just’ and ‘fair’, as there is no single
power.
3.2 LAW
In terms of crime itself, “Belgium is a relatively safe country with fairly
low rates of crime, and Brussels is considered safer than large cities in
neighbouring countries” (Expatica, 2012). However, although major
crime is relatively low, Belgium is prone to low-level street crime.
“Muggings, purse snatchings, and pocket picking occur frequently,
particularly in major cities” (OSAC, 2013). This may be the biggest legal
concern in terms of hosting the 2024 Olympic Games, and security
implementations will need to be considered.
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O dear Belgium, O holy land of our fathers –
Our soul and our hearts are devoted to you!
With blood to spill for you, O fatherland!
We swear with one cry- you shall live!
So gladly bloom in beauty full,
Into what freedom has taught you to be,
And evermore shall sing your sons:
The Kind, and Law, and Liberty!
Faithful to the word that you may speak boldly,
For King, for Freedom and for Law!
To Law, and Kind and Freedom, hail!
The King, and Law, and Liberty!
- Belgian National Anthem, Trilingual Version (English Translation)
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3.3 ECONOMICS
Belgium has a well-developed economy, mainly built on its strength in the industrial and service sectors, but
also “based on its geographic position at the crossroads of Western Europe, its highly skilled and educated
workforce, and its participation in the EU” (Encyclopaedia of the Nations, 2014). The service sector dominates
the Belgian economy, “service sector jobs now account for 73 percent of the nation's employment”
(Encyclopaedia of the Nations, 2014).
Within Belgium, there are regional differences with the economy. “In the former industrial and agricultural
areas of the countryside, unemployment rates tend to be higher. However, in the newer urban centres (where
the service economy is dominant), unemployment rates are lower” (Encyclopaedia of the Nations, 2014).
Although Belgium’s national unemployment rates are lower than the EU average- wages are amongst the
highest in Europe.
From an economic viewpoint Belgium is an ideal location to host the 2024 Olympic Games. Its exceptional
service and transport sectors help to validate this. Belgium is also a culture that has a very high score on the
Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI) index meaning that as a culture they try to avoid unknown situations “the
dimension (UAI) has to do with the way that a society deals with the fact that the future can never be known:
should we try to control the future or just let it happen?”(Hofstede Centre, 2014).
This is highly advantageous as to counter act the uncertainty a precise amount of planning would go into all
aspects of hosting the games. On an economic level, Belgium’s highly developed and efficient motorways,
railway networks and airway would be greatly capable of handling the 500,000 expected tourists without a
problem. “Belgium has a developed a highly efficient and capable transportation infrastructure that includes
roads, ports, canals, airports and rail links” (Encyclopaedia of the Nations, 2014). The service sector being such
a dominate influence in the Belgium economy, with the majority of the nation’s employment within the service
sector makes Belgium an excellent selection for the 2024 Olympic games.
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3.4 ENVIRONMENT Belgium is a very populated and civilized
country, so it is hard to believe that is would
have many environmental problems.
However, over the past decade, Belgium’s
experienced extreme problems with its “air,
water and land pollution” (Encyclopedia of
the Nations, 2014) causing health and safety
issues for Belgium’s people and any tourists
that venture to the country.
The Belgium government has been working
towards improving the environmental issues
the country is experiencing, ensuring that the
corporate social responsibility of Belgium, as
Bracic (2014) stated, allows Belgium’s people
and others from society to see that Belgium’s
people and environment matter. Through this
and the use of “corporate image advertising”
(Sheehan, 2014, p.235) Belgium is able to
allow other countries to see that they care
about what is thought about them and how
they are perceived, creating a reason to
promote the positive changes happening in
Belgium.
.
The capital of Belgium, Brussels, is
therefore implementing procedures such
as the pollution peak intervention plan. To
better improve the quality of Belgium’s
water, air and land pollution. By providing
citizens with information on when there
are road congestions, water issues and
waste management solutions.
Although Belgium has environmental
issues, the country is working hard to
improve its carbon footprint. Therefore
the opportunity to host the 2024 Olympic
Games would allow Belgium the chance to
regain itself as a country that cares about
the environment and what happens to the
earth and its people.
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Figure 3- Environmental Pollution (Sinpetru, 2013)
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3.5TECHNOLOGY
The research in technologies is focused on bio-chemistry, medicine, statistics and astronomy (Science in
Belgium, 2009). The innovation and research is promoted within through funding schemes for foster
efforts from young innovative students (OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook, 2013, pg.
250).
Belgium ranks high in fields associated to bio and Nano technology (OECD Science, Technology and
Industry Outlook, 2012, pg. 251) sending many of their scientists abroad to lead research in these fields.
But also within the nation the quality of life and high scientific standards attracts many international
students to attend their universities (Science in Belgium, 2009).
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3.6 SOCIAL & CULTURAL ASPECTS 1. Power Distance
Belgium is an ideal venue to host the 2024
Olympic Games. The country is very power
driven, with the federal government of
Belgium wanting acceptance towards
individuals within the country and for there
to be power held between citizens. Belgium
is portrayed as a place where everyone is
able to express opinions and thoughts to the
higher power, knowing that generally
speaking what the community wants
effectively becomes accomplished. This
power distance Belgium displays, which
Bracic (2014) stated is seen in Hofstede’s
Model on Cultural Dimensions brings
forward the knowledge that people are
accepted, respected and valued within the
Belgium community.
2. Individualism versus Collectivism
Belgium also has a low collectivism score. A
country with a low collectivism score is
known for having “strong group cohesion,
large amounts of loyalty and respect for
members of society” (Mind Tools, 2014)
characteristics of the Belgium culture and
greatly seen within the Olympic Games.
Collectivism is seen though the
individualism versus collectivism step
within the Hofstede Model of Cultural
Dimensions. Whereas a high individualism
score sees that a country and its people have
a “respect for privacy, high values on
people’s need for time and freedom and also
an expectation for rewards for hard work”
(Mind Tools, 2014).
The Hofstede’s Model on Cultural Dimensions
was developed by Geert Hofstede and is a
study on culture that looks at “5 dimensions
of theory” (Bracic, 2014.
The theory, which is regarded as Hofstede’s
“most notable” (Bracic, 2014)
accomplishment is used throughout the world
to determine how different cultures are
formed, develop and work with each other.
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4. Uncertainty avoidance
This is a nation that takes pride in their
appearance with cleanliness being held with
national pride (Belgium, 2014). It is seen that
Belgium ranks high on Hofstede’s cultural
dimension of uncertainty avoidance according
to The Hofstede Centre (2014).
So within society planning is preferred and in
business values such as punctuality display
respect (Belgium, 2014).
3. Masculinity vs Femininity
If a culture values a masculine society it
indicates that they will be driven by
competition, achievement and success.
A feminine society means that the cultural
values are that quality of life and caring for
others are more desirable values.
So the difference for what motivates people
within a culture is wanting to stand out
(masculine) or being part of a larger group
(feminine).
Belgium places within the middle of this
dimension. “Belgians strive towards
reaching a compromise” (Hofstede Centre,
2014). Therefore, a win-lose negotiating
style that is typical of Anglo countries is not
very effective in Belgium,
5. Long Term vs Short Term Orientation
Long term orientation refers to the
development of virtues orientated towards
future rewards, whilst short term
orientation are those virtues related to the
past and present (such as tradition),
according to Bracic (2014) via Hofstede
(2001).
According to the Hofstede Centre (2014).
Belgium received a particularly high score of
82 in pragmatism. This means that they a
nation who are able to adapt to traditions
with ease, and pursue achieving results.
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3.6.1 Attitude to Advertising
Within Belgium people have a higher acceptance attitude towards
“humorous and erotic” (De Pelsmacker, P 2014), advertisements
than advertisements promoting brands, it was also found men find
these advertisements more interesting and appealing. As Bracic
(2014) stated this saw advertising stereotypes particularly in
reference to how men and women are perceived, while also
displaying Belgium’s openness to sexual and erotic advertising.
Advertising to children is taken extremely seriously within Belgium,
ensuring that advertisers are unable to advertise any products
“within a five-minute time span surrounding children’s programs”
(Nathalie Dens et al, 2014). This has been effective in seeing that
children do not use the “pester power” (Bracic N, 2014) to annoy
parents into purchasing products seen on the television, causing
parents to purchase these products to satisfy their children.
The attitudes held by the people of Belgium towards advertising,
allow organizers of the Olympics to see that promoting the 2024
Olympic Games would see that men, women and children would be
aware of events that were taking place.
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Figures 4 & 5- Two Dutch advertisements used in Belgium. The left ad (Collin, 2008) was
banned, whilst the right ad (Collienne, 2011) was not.
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3.6.2 Gender Equality
Gender equality can be defined as the
“measurable equal representation of women
and men. Gender equality does not imply
that women and men are the same, but that
they have equal value and should be
accorded equal treatment” (IPPF, 2013).
In Belgium, like many other countries, there
is a gap between the unity of females and
males. However, according to WikiGender
(2014), Belgium has actively put into
operation particular legal initiatives to
promote gender equality and opportunities
since the 1980s.
In most countries, women tend to have a
higher unemployment rate than men.
This was true for Belgium in 2002,
according to the European Commission
(EUROPA) (2012), when the
unemployment rate was 7.8% for females,
and 6.3% for males. However, in 2011, the
female and male unemployment rates
were recorded as equal, both being 7.2%.
Although the level unemployment rate
between genders, “the average female
employee earned 8.6% less than the
average male employee” (EUROPA, 2012)
in 2010, which can be compared to the
9.5% gap in 2006.
The Kingdom of Belgium Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Trade and Development
Cooperation is aware of the need for
gender equality and women's
empowerment, claiming they regard
gender equality as “a transversal topic
and is determined to speed up the
progress in this domain....” (Belgian
Development Cooperation, 2013).
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3.6.3 Treatment of Immigrants
Belgium attracts a diverse inflow of refugees, asylum seekers and
undocumented migrants. But its “detention practices have been the subject
of much debate at both the national and international levels” (Global
Detention Project, 2014). Belgium has been criticized on numerous
occasions for some of its controversial practises, which include the
detention of children and not providing the detainees with adequate
information about their legal rights.
Also, persons without legal residence in Belgium are exempt from the right
to social assistance. “Only rejected asylum seekers who are waiting for a
decision on their appeal to the State Council, Belgium’s highest
administrative court, have the right to food and housing assistance but not
monetary assistance” (Picum, 2014). Belgian authorities, more recently have
tried to rectify these issues by modifying both detention practises and the
legal framework governing detention.
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Figure 6- Protest in front of immigration office, Brussels on 25 June, 2014 (Activestills, 2014)
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3.6.4 Treatment of LGBT Community
Within Belgium same sex couples are able to “marry” (Angloinfo,
2014), with the country being one of the first to legalize same-
sex marriage and selecting “the worlds second openly gay
leader” (LGBT Nation, 2011). The treatment of LGBT members
in Belgium is quite different to other countries around the world
with couples also being able to start families through adoption
as stated on LGBT Nation (2014) and participate in LGBT events,
creating an environment where safety and acceptance is
present.
The treatment of LGBT members of society within Belgium sees
there be very little, if not any discrimination, allowing members of
other countries and the 2024 Olympic Game committee to see that
people are accepted and respected in Belgium no matter their
sexual orientation or preference.
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Figure 7- Gay Pride Campaign, Brussels (Riker, 2014)
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3.6.5 Attitudes, Lifestyle & Values
Although the people of Belgium are not one
homogenous group so there is difficulty
when assessing their national identity,
although as a whole the Belgians are seen as
a welcoming people. Within society they are
seen to be hard working but enjoy a
balanced personal life as people in Belgium
work 1 574 hours a year, less than the
Better life index average of 1 765 hours
(OECD, 2014).
Education is important in the Belgium
society which demonstrates the high values
they hold for taking care of their people
again reflecting their emphasis on
community. In education with the average
student receiving higher than the median
results according to the quality of life index
(OECD, 2014). Across Europe they are
known for their humorous nature and
cuisine and are ranked in the top 10 in
quality of life standards (OECD, 2014).
The country of Belgium is an egalitarian
society; they value community and the
coming together for sporting and cultural
events. They are a collective nation, placing
heavy importance of family and close ties
within their communities (Belgium, 2014).
The cultural history of Belgium has been
linguistically and politically challenging.
However, today the differences and
similarities to the larger continent of Europe
would enable a coming together of
nationalities within the nation of Belgium.
The idea that as a nation they have united
themselves regardless of their linguistic
difficulties promotes the fundamental idea
of unity behind the Olympic Games.
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Figure 8- Female Sports Fan (Bureau, 2014)
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4. BELGIUM: 2024 HOST CITY
The following section provides an analysis and
evaluation of Belgium as a potential host city for the
2024 Olympic Summer Games.
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Belgium debuted in the Olympics in 1900 and hosted the 1920. To date they have won a total of 141 medals
with the top sports being archery, cycling and equestrian. There are a number of factors that must be taken
into consideration, when regarding Belgium as the 2024 Olympic host- including the country’s experience,
resources, cultural and lingual factors, as well as taking the environment into account.
Firstly, a considerable advantage for Belgium as host of the 2024 Olympic Games is that they’ve held the
Summer Olympic Games in the past. Therefore, existing infrastructure can be modified and renovated, as
opposed to resurrecting new stadiums and buildings. In this sense, costs can be cut and money saved.
Furthermore, Belgium holds a sense of general experience- organizers will know exactly what to expect
from looking back at the past, and what factors could be changed in regards to the particular nature of their
country (for example, which locations were too crowded, or what roads became too congested etc).
However, the 1920 Summer Olympics were held in Antwerp, following the completion of the First World
War (the 1916 Games were cancelled due to war). Belgium was awarded the pleasure of hosting the games
after they were taken off Hungary, for being an ally to Germany, according to the Australian Olympic
Committee (2014). In 2024, it is proposed that the Games be held in the capital, Brussels, due to it being the
biggest Belgian city, and also being the home to the biggest stadium in Belgium. King Baudouin Stadium
(refer to figure 10) has a capacity of 50, 024- this is a 20, 000 times greater than the next largest stadium.
This is advantageous as Belgium is given the opportunity to host more people, offering more tickets and
making a greater profit. The fact that English is spoken regularly in Brussels as opposed to Antwerp also
benefits tourists.
On the other hand, it is important to realise that in the 1920 Games, 2,626 athletes (Australian Olympic
Committee, 2014) competed, which can be compared to the 10,500 athletes in the London 2012 games. It is
known that Brussels’ population is dense in comparison to its size- therefore; will it be able to host the
2024 Games adequately? According to Visit Brussels’ (2014) 2013 Annual Tourism report, they are aware
of the new expanding, requirements of tourism, and are aiming to adapt its structure to enable “Brussels to
gain market shares from other European metropolises” (Visit Brussels, 2013).
It is evident that whilst the size of Brussels may be smaller in past cities, they are fully ware and capable of
managing the 2024 Summer Olympic games whilst simultaneously boosting their tourism.
Figure 9- Schat Olypish Stadion, Antwerp 1928
(Bruggeman,2012)
Figure 10- King Baudouin Stadium (Fuego, 2013)
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Secondly, Belgium is a central point in Europe, with
these differences and similarities to the larger
continent their linguistic differences would enable a
coming together of nationalities to unite the
Belgium people. Moreover, the majority of Belgians
are multilingual with many conducting themselves
in their second language every day. They are also
comfortable speaking in English, especially within
the city of Brussels. This allows convenience for
tourists particularly those wishing to communicate
with locals when attending the 2024 Olympics.
The multilingual nature of Belgium enables a
constant influx of tourists and holidaymakers to
comfortably enjoy their time in Belgium without a
language barrier. In applying this to the Olympics, it
demonstrates the ease in which tourists and
Olympic attendees would be able to adjust
themselves within the Belgian society.
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Lastly, Belgium’s environmental problems are one of the major concerning factors concerning whether the country
should host the 2024 Olympic Games. As previously mentioned in 3.4 of this document, Belgium and its capital of
Brussels have struggled for the past few decades with an increase in air, land and water pollution resulting in many
concerns for people living and visiting the area. As Rickim02 (2011) stated in the video Global Issues in Belgium, the
main concern is the countries air pollution. This is a result from nuclear radiation and carbon dioxide from the
countries working industry and also from the range of pesticides that are used for the agriculture industry seen
within Belgium. Meanwhile water pollution is another major concern due to the increasing amounts of mercury and
phosphorus making its way into the rivers and water supplies, potentially effecting drinking water (RIckim02, 2011).
As knowledge of these environmental issues become more publically aware by the public, there is an increasing
concern for the health of Belgium’s people and anyone who wishes to travel there, which as a result leaves concerns
for the safety of Olympic athletes and also for the spectators which would go and visit Belgium to see the games
unfold.
However, as a result of these environmental and health issues that Belgium is experiencing, the Government of
Belgium have started implementing stricter and stronger legislation and procedures to help reduce the problems the
country faces with its land, air and water pollution. Along with the implementation of the pollution peak intervention
plan that Brussels is developing and implementing, the surrounding cities of Belgium are also being worked on to
improve air, land and water quality for all. With the use of environmental regimes, as Clifford Chance stated in the
Q&A on Environmental Law in Belgium, Belgium along with the many cities within the country with the use of
regimes like the “Environmental Permitting Regime which sees Belgium combine both preventing and controlling
waste and its management (Chance C, 2012).
With the use of these regimes and legislation for Belgium’s environmental issues, it is clear that Belgium and its
government is trying very hard to work towards creating an environment that is more environmentally friendly and
sustainable. The continued awareness that Belgium’s air, water and land need to be improved to allow for society to
continue living peacefully, allows the Olympic Committee to understand that Belgium is doing everything in its power
to improve. Presenting a country that is able to take action and wants to make a change for the better, showcasing
how Belgium’s capital of Brussels would be a great place for the 2020 Olympic Games to be held.
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5. CONCLUSION
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After researching the background of Belgium, and its capital of Brussels, an analysis has been made as to whether or not it will make the
ideal host city for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
An insight to Belgium has been obtained, and the political, legal, economical, social, environmental and technological factors have been
taken into consideration.
A careful evaluation suggests that there are benefits of Belgium having previous Olympic host history, a strong economy, tourism boosts,
a multicultural community and a continuously improving environment.
Therefore, it is strongly suggested that Belgium will be the ideal candidate to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
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