Klein: Golf Channel Recorded Olympic Architect Presentations

Bradley Klein considers the Rio Olympic architect competition after learning a bit more about the process and concludes a few things. Namely, that the latest delay makes it increasingly difficult to finish in time for a 2015 test run (though I'm in the minority that likes this, preferring that the course be fresh to all when the Games roll around).

Anyway, that's an argument for another day.

These revelations about the process stood out:

For now, the so-called Big Eight have been hung out to dry after having exhausted themselves in a rush over the holidays getting their PowerPoints, construction documents and budget estimates readied. The teams spent anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000 in unreimbursed travel and design expenses prepping for the 45-minute pitches. The capped design fee of $300,000 is well below their customary rates. While that removes salary from the bid process, the committee will be evaluating other costs - including proposed construction budgets (thought to range from $10 million to $15 million), and construction-supervision fees (the industry norm is 8 percent to 12 percent).

And this...

The fact is, no one knows, and all is a matter of speculation. We'll know a little more in a few years when Golf Channel, which has filmed the presentations, releases its documentary in the run-up to the 2016 Olympics. The only thing certain for now is that all golf courses and all Olympic venues suffer from delays.

Comments

[AP]

The Brazilians alone should decide. The course is built at their expense. It will be their treasure long after the Olympic torch is passed. For anyone else--the IOC or any other professional or amateur body--to influence that decision calls into question the integrity of the process, as well as that of the game.

[MatthewM]

AP, I'm not sure any IOC selection process in the last few decades has had any integrity.
I'm not sure why anyone would expect anything typical, punctual, above board or professional from the IOC.
It's not like they don't have any form...

[Jonny]

As golfers we are used to a higher sense of decorum and integrity .... Sounds like other sports fit right into the ways of the IOC. Another reason why golf wasn't made for the Olympics.

[Clarence]

End the Olympics.

[Steven T.]

Does the IOC have a joint Swiss bank account or does the money go into their individual Swiss bank accounts?