Explainer – Why the Olympics take place in July / August despite the heat

Neal Pilson, former president of CBS Sports, who broadcast the 1992, 1994, and 1998 Winter Olympics in the United States, said: "The IOC is well aware of the preferences of US networks for the Summer and Winter Games ". referring to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

"The Summer Olympics are simply less valuable if they stood in October because of pre-existing commitments to the sport," he told Reuters

. the 2020 Olympics are expected to hold the event between July 15 and August 31. Tokyo chose July 24 to August 9.

To fix dates, the IOC receives contributions from international sports federations so as not to interrupt their schedules. Time

But dates are also chosen because of the lull in the sporting calendar, public Olympic records and television sports marketing experts.

In September or October, the Olympics should compete with other events, such as the start of the NFL football season, the Major League Baseball playoffs in the United States and the first months of the season

"It is designed to fit this window." Victor Matheson, Professor of Economics at the College of the Holy Cross of Mbadachusetts

Candidate Cities May Propose Alternative Dates although they are not always granted.When Doha Qatar has proposed to host the 2020 games in October because it was too hot in July and August, the Olympic broadcast services, who cover television for many events, and international television and marketing departments have criticized the idea.Report of the Olympic Task Force of April 2012.

"The Olympic Games being held during the IOC's favorite July / August period guarantees broadcasters that they will be market leaders in prime time. " "In October, broadcasters would face lower ratings / ratings."

NBC, which agreed in 2014 to pay $ 7.65 billion to the IOC for exclusive broadcast rights in the United States until 2032, declined to comment. IOC spokesperson Michael Noyelle said in an email that broadcasters are contributing to the development of the competition schedule after the dates of the Olympic Games

The IOC established the months of July and August as being the months to hold the Summer Olympics in 2000, said Noyelle. "As there was no exception requested for the Tokyo 2020 bid, no stakeholder was consulted on Tokyo dates," he said