What if the Olympic Games were to break out of their usual box? The last six editions have taken place in July-August. A slot that could change according to Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. The candidate for the IOC presidency is considering shaking up the traditional calendar, particularly for facilitate the hosting of the Games by an African country. "I always try to talk about universality. We have to ensure that no part of the world is excluded of the opportunity to bring the benefits of hosting the Olympic Games to their communities", he explains to AIPS.. The Spaniard wishes "to eliminate all constraints and disadvantages due, for example, to climate which could affect a significant part" from the African continent. "We will have to make sure that we are ready to change the world sporting calendar during the Olympic year if necessary. If an application comes from Africa, it must be ensured that it will be in fair competition with other projects and that it will not be disadvantaged by climate », he insists. The July-August box is not immutable: the Sydney Games have been scheduled from September 15 to October 1, 2000, and those of Seoul from September 17 to October 2, 1988. The Tokyo 1964 and Mexico 1968 Games were held entirely in October.
