A number of states and big cities fight for the right to host the Olympic Games and the like large-scale sports events every time they are held. This is connected with the fact that the country that hosts such events faces a high economic boost not only during the sports competitions but in several years, which follow it. This was a major reason why Salt Lake City has pursued the Winter Olympics for almost 30 years, which eventually resulted in its winning this right in 1995. However, the events which took place in the subsequent several years have shown that “something else had played into Salt Lake City’s successful bid: excessive generosity toward IOC members by the Utah bidders” (Findling & Pelle, 2004, p. 423). The bidders have been charged with bribery and fraud with several committee members being expelled and some other sanctioned for corruption. Salt Lake City scandal has several common features with Bigtown’s situation with injustice, bribery, and illegality being the main issues to consider.
One of the first issues that deserve discussion in terms of the Salt Lake City Olympics scandal is injustice. Salt Lake City bribed the members of the International Olympic Committee and was allowed to host the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. This was unfair with respect to other cities which were also willing to host the event. The same injustice can be observed in the case of Bigtown. Bringing convention businesses into the city may be impossible for some of the companies, which places them in the conditions of unfair competition and may eventually result in the crash of some businesses. Thus, injustice is one of the common issues between the Salt Lake City Olympics scandal and the Bigtown situation.
Another issue to be considered is bribery which is especially evident in the case of the Salt Lake City scandal. The decision of Salt Lake City to bribe the IOC is easy to understand for the city has been attempting to gain the right to host the Olympics for several decades. However, this reason is not enough for violating the law and certain ethical principles as well. The act of bribery did take place, which has been proved by the US Department of Justice in 2003. A similar situation can be observed in Bigtown where the mayor is going to offer highly paid contracts for work in the city in exchange for convention business. In the case of an investigation, this might be regarded as bribery.
The final issue which unites the Salt Lake City scandal and Bigtown situation is illegality. In both cases, the mayors have resorted to illegal means of obtaining the desirable. Salt Lake City has violated numerous ethical and legal principles, which further resulted in serious consequences for everyone who has been participating in the unfair deal. If the Bigtown mayor decides to fulfill his plan, this may lead to similar consequences for him as well.
In conclusion, injustice, bribery, and illegality are three main issues that unite the Salt Lake City Olympics scandal and the Bigtown situation. Judging by the outcome of the Salt Lake City case, using bribery and injustice to achieve the desirable is not worth it. The Bigtown’s mayor should consider this case in detail and realize that he puts at stake not only his own reputation but the welfare of other business employees and stakeholders, as well as the welfare of their families.
Reference
Findling, J.E. & Pelle, K.D. (2004). Encyclopedia of the modern Olympic movement. London: Greenwood Publishing Group.