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Aussie supporters at the Olympics. Photo by Elizabeth Chapman
Should Australia win the right to host world football’s showpiece event in 2022, we can all look back to the last time we hosted such a landmark event, which was in 2000 with the Sydney Olympics, and learn some key lessons.
All of Sydney, and Australia for that matter, rejoiced when the news of our winning bid was released in 1993.
Following the initial euphoria (which lasted for five or so years), there was an outpour of voluntarism not seen since the days of Hoover’s time as US President.
Normal people who were not officially called upon took it upon themselves to work tirelessly in order ensure the Sydney Olympics was a successful one.
The result? Arguably the greatest games ever held.
These acts of goodwill were not, however, confined to the public. Major competitions which were deeply entrenched in the Australian sporting landscape agreed to alter their schedules accordingly, with no arguments or heated discussions between officials.
Sydney had trumped the dull Olympic Games hosted by Atlanta in the United States four years previous, and then some.
The Rugby World Cup in 2003, from memory, also took place with minor hassles and cooperation from all parties, including the National Rugby League and Australian Football League. Thus, the World Cup was a successful one.
So, what is preventing the FIFA World Cup (again, should we win the rights) from reaching its potential? Well, a number of factors.
In recent times, tensions between the four major codes (Rugby, League, AFL and Football, also known as soccer) that the odd swipe at rival officials or player ‘poaching’ is by no means uncommon. This intense competition, while in many ways good for sport in general, could have serious consequences concerning the World Cup.
This year, AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou addressed the media and claimed there would be no season in 2022 should Australia win the right’s to host the FIFA World Cup.
Whilst this in some respects is understandable, as the Football World Cup would take place at a different time of year than both the Olympics and the Rugby World Cup did, it seems like a stance taken out of spite.
If the Australian Football League really tried to, they could fit their schedule around the tournament, even if it meant a few weeks break in between, which I’m sure the players wouldn’t mind.
As well as harming Australia’s chances of hosting the event and also starting a bitter feud between the two codes, Demetriou has really shot himself in the foot.
With an additional few hundred thousand people in the AFL heartland of Victoria due to the Cup, it would also be a chance to promote the game to a whole new audience. By 2022, overseas marketing will be crucial not just to AFL’s success, but all Australian sports.
With Sydney being a Rugby League heartland, the National Rugby League could also do its bit to ensure a successful World Cup and thus an expanded audience to target its own product towards.
Having said all of this, let’s just wait and see whether we actually do win the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but the aforementioned points are worth considering.
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