We're coming up on 14 months to go until Vancouver, and those who laid out hundreds for VIP ticket packages are finding it difficult to find places to stay. The recently-held Beijing Olympics featured no problems with hotel shortages due to the Chinese government's highly restrictive visa rules, but the recent Olympic tradition of skyrocketing lodging costs will return when the Winter Games commence in February 2010.
Also, the Olympic year 2008 is coming to a close. For those in the United States (or with a web proxy) looking to get back on "the bus" and relive as much of the Beijing Games as possible: the revolutionary free on-demand service that offers thousands of hours of international-feed broadcasts will be shutting down on December 31. You have one month left.
Watching the events of four months ago may remind you of one of the few failures of Beijing 2008, and probably the difference between "remarkable games" and "the best ever." The events were technically sold out, but pictures sent around the world showed thousands upon thousands of empty seats. The International Olympic Committee is taking steps to make sure this doesn't happen again, with the added challenge of a global financial crisis that, if it lasts, will surely depress ticket sales for London 2012. Last week, IOC and LOCOG officials met in London to mull over lessons learned from Beijing.
IOC higher-ups, while generally praising Beijing's efforts, are still positive about the chances for London to pull off a successful festival in four years, despite any and all financial problems that will surely come the organizers' way. In a key psychological boost, London's first venue specifically constructed for the Olympics has been completed -- a US$10m marina on the south coast of England has been completed to accomodate the sailing competition.
When London 2012 does arrive, it will be short a few sports. Most know about the banishment of baseball and softball from the Olympic menu, but one of the classic yet underloved events will be missing a discipline. Modern pentathlon, the only sport on the program invented by the modern Games' founder, will be cut to four in the name of streamlining and lowered attention spans. Shooting and running will be combined into a single event.
And it won't get much attention or press until the event actually occurs, but the inaugural Youth Olympic Games are less just nine months away, to be held in Singapore. The bidding is now open for the second edition, to be held in the interim year between London and the as-yet-determined 2016 host. Next week, the IOC will announce the first Youth Winter Olympics host, either Kuopio, Finland or two-time Winter Olympic host Innsbruck, Austria.
Innsbruck hosted in 1976, stepping in when Denver voters rejected a bond measure that would fund the event, won in a 29-20 decision over Sion, Switzerland. Now, more than three decades later, the rapidly-growing Colorado city has begun the process to bid for the 2018 Winter Games. At this point, Denver's bid looks like a 50-50 proposition. If Chicago wins the 2016 Summer Games (a proposition buoyed by local Barack Obama winning the U.S. presidency, then lobbying actively for the bid), Denver's chances are likely dashed. If 2016 goes to Madrid, Tokyo or Rio, Denver 2018 would be a virtual certainty.
Finally, a mascot controversy. Vancouver 2010 originally designated Mukmuk the marmot as a "sidekick" instead of a fully accredited furry ambassador to the upcoming Winter Olympics, relegated passing out literature and cheering in the organizing committee's official videos. Many Canadians complained that Mukmuk is the only real, actual animal (a trio of sasquatch, "sea-bear" and spirit were selected), and for a long time, there was no way for fans and Facebook friends to take a little Mukmuk home. But now, finally, there is merchandise available.
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Sportswriter 
