As a possible solution, experts have long pined for more temporary facilities that could serve the purpose of the games just fine, only to be given the thumbs down by an International Olympic Committee that equates world-class games with world-class facilities.

FORBES

I, for one, have no interest in hurling down a mountain at speeds in excess of 90 miles-per-hour after having a couple pops, so it comes as something of a surprise to discover that some Olympic skiers are also world-class booze-hounds.

FORBES: Why Are Olympic Skiers Such Booze-Hounds?

It would be like a double Fifa World Cup and Olympics because, apart from the main venue for the Games, Kenya would have to build at least six world-class stadiums to host the Olympic football matches alone.

BBC: Viewpoint: Could Kenya host the Olympics in 2024?

"We understand the responsibilities that come with calling the nation's iconic Olympic Stadium, which will be converted into a world-class football stadium, our new home, " West Ham joint chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold said in a statement.

WSJ: West Ham Gets Olympic Stadium

"Scotland has a growing reputation for staging successful world-class events and securing the 2018 Youth Olympic Games would be a fantastic opportunity to build on the experience and skills developed through delivering an outstanding Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014, " he said.

BBC: Kelly Holmes backs Glasgow's bid

Because of his prior career as a world-class track rider, Wiggins has seven Olympic medals total, the most in U.K. history, surpassing the six won by the rower Sir Steven Redgrave, who carried the Olympic torch into the opening ceremony last week.

WSJ: 2012 London Olympics: Bradley Wiggins: The Reluctant King of Cycling - Jason Gay

The chairman of the ODA John Armitt said the velodrome would be a "world-class cycling venue with a record-breaking track for events in 2012 and the legacy of first-class facilities to help create the next generation of Olympic champions".

BBC: Building work begins on velodrome

It was the only truly world-class event the Games offered, with India midway through a hot streak of Olympic victories that was to stretch from the Amsterdam Games of 1928 to the Melbourne Games of 1956.

CNN: HOW TO STOP THE HOCKEY ROT