, Columnist
How Asia Won the Right to Host Three Olympics in a Row
Think back to 2009: The West was in no condition to take on expensive projects.
At least the Tonga contingent won't have a terrible commute.
Photographer: Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesIt might seem puzzling that Asia's getting three Olympics in a row. South Korea has the 2018 Winter Games, Japan has the 2020 Summer Games, and China has the 2022 Winter Games. Shouldn't the International Olympic Committee spread the wealth a bit more?
It's not that simple, because Olympics host city selection is a complicated interplay between the political and economic environments of the world when the host city selection process is playing out. This run of Olympics is happening in Asia largely because of the financial crisis in 2008.