Hosting the Olympics guarantees more medals and higher participation, even in subsequent events: MC Analysis

Los Angeles and Brisbane won the bid to host the 2028 and 2032 versions of the games last year. The 2024 games, in which India won six medals, were hosted in Paris, France.

Analysis of the last 40 years shows host nations see an average medal tally increase of 137.6 percent compared to the four previous Olympics. The momentum often continues, with the tally rising by 90.7 percent in subsequent events.

For instance, the United Kingdom, which hosted the 2012 Olympics, had an average medal tally of 31 in the four preceding games. This surged to 65 in 2012 and remained at that level in the next three editions.

Data indicates that countries tend to do even better on gold medals. Host nations have seen an average increase of 305 percent in gold medals, with a sustained rise of 139 percent in later events.

South Korea, which hosted the 1988 Olympics, saw its gold medal count jump from an average of two in the prior four games to 12 in 1988. In subsequent events, the country’s average gold medal tally slightly dipped to 10.

Greece has been the only exception to this trend, witnessing a decline in the medal tally after hosting the event. The country won 23 percent fewer medals in events after hosting the 2004 Olympics.

Participation levels also rise significantly. Nations have recorded an average 136 percent increase in athlete participation in the Olympics they hosted, with a 52 percent rise in subsequent events.

Spain, which hosted the 1992 Olympics, saw its contingent grow from 167 athletes in previous games to 422 in 1992. In later editions, Spain continued to send an average of 313 athletes.