2016 Olympics: Decision on Friday

[BeachGirlFLA]

I can completely understand the vote being split between Madrid and Rio. On one hand, you have a continent that has never held the Olympics and on the other, you have a past IOC president who really wants the Olympics in his country.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I don't think that had anything to do with the decision. I always get so angry when I hear that "the world hates us" excuse. As an American living outside the US for many years I can say from experience that we are loved as much, if not more, that we are hated. They may disapprove our politics, but they're amazed of what we've been able to do in a relatively small amount of time.

Agreed. All of my trips outside of the USA have brought me in contact with many cultures. A lot of them may not agree with our politics but they overwhelmingly admire Americans as a people.

I think that Rio and Madrid just pitched their product better.

Announcement expected at 12:30 pm EDT.

 

[Jennasis]

Spain had Barcelona back in 1992. That's just 17 years ago. I would think it a wee bit unfair to give Spain the nod AGAIN over an entire continent that has never had a shot.

 

[Uuaww]

I don't think that had anything to do with the decision. I always get so angry when I hear that "the world hates us" excuse. As an American living outside the US for many years I can say from experience that we are loved as much, if not more, that we are hated. They may disapprove our politics, but they're amazed of what we've been able to do in a relatively small amount of time.

Americans are hated throughout the world in soccer, but other than that, we are pretty loved... though I think our tipping policies have something to do with it haha.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

And it starts Just overheard an interview from the TV the other room...I didn't hear much, but did hear whoever being interviewed saying
"this just shows the voters are anti-American". Come on now.

The USA cannot always have EVERYTHING their heart desires.

And how ignorant was that fool?

We've held 3 Olympics since 1984, Los Angeles, Atlanta (1996) and Salt Lake City (2002).

There have been 7 Olympiads since then with 14 games total (Summer, Winter)--if the IOC is anti-american, we've got a pretty good track record for being hated so much.

If we don't get an Olympics for another 20 years or so, it will be okay.

Then for even more anti-american fun, we have held the summer olympics in:

1904, St. Louis, MO
1932, Los Angles California and then again in 1984.

27 games so far and we've hosted summer FOUR times. 14% ain't too shabby.

And we've hosted 2 winter with the first being in Lake Placid, NY.

I have to say--we must remember the OLYMPICS to be an International event and stop turning it to American conspiracy if we don't get the opportunity to host it. Geesh.

Maybe *some* folks who believe it anti-american have gotten a little spoiled. Who knows.

This is directed at the person heard in the interview and noone here. I know it can be upsetting to get so close and not make the cut.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Spain had Barcelona back in 1992. That's just 17 years ago. I would think it a wee bit unfair to give Spain the nod AGAIN over an entire continent that has never had a shot.

While true, USA did host twice in 12 years.

I gotta say that I am rooting for Rio. Didn't realize that South America never had the games until I learned it on the DIS earlier this week.

 

[KatMark]

As a resident of the city of Chicago, I am happy we did not get the bid. Mayor Daley promised we would not pay for the games. Anyone who follows the corruption in this city knows that is not true. Also, traffic would have been a logistical nightmare. Most importantly, many of us think we'd be a huge target for terrorism hosting the games. Trust me, I'm in the majority as a city resident who is happy we will not be hosting the games. For those of you who are disappointed, I do understand.

I'm with you. I work in downtown Chicago and I was so against the games being here. The traffic itself would have been a nightmare. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is horrible; the crime in the City is high. I just don't think that in the long run Chicago was safe enough or the City run well enough to host the Olympics.

 

[Uuaww]

I hope it's Rio, for the same reason I am excited about Vancouver. NO TAPE DELAY! We get to see it live due to time zones. Although I might have to buy tickets for beach volleyball if it's Rio... that alone will allow me to die a happy man.

 

[robinb]

I'm pretty bummed. Madison was supposed to be the home of the cycling events. I was really looking forward to having Olympic games literally a mile away from me.

 

[LukenDC]

I think that there are likely several reasons for the early elimination of Chicago. The most significant is that the USOC has had a lot of tension with the IOC over the past year stemming from disputes over TV fees and upheaval in the USOC leadership structure.

Anti-Americanism or concerns with the visa process probably cost Chicago some Muslim votes, but the Muslim nations are not well represented on the IOC and do not have enough power to sway the early voting.

 

[cat83]

I agree; in the traveling I've done outside the country, I've found everyone to be almost in awe of America, and very respectful.
Unfortunately, we do have very many people here who believe the world revolves around them (or us, I guess), and feel entitled to whatever they want.
When they don't get what they want- the blame falls on everyone else


Anyhow, as much as I would have loved for Chicago to get the bid, I have to admit I live in a suburb and wouldn't have had to deal with the traffic
I do agree that as far as transportation goes, Chicago (and the rest of the country) has a lot of catching up to do to be up to the standards of other countries/cities.

 

[Aisling]

No city thus far who has gotten the Olympics has failed to rise to the occasion and any city that gets it would be more than capable of getting it all up to snuff.

Unfortunately, the Lake Placid Olympics was an embarrassment! Unfinished event venues, a couple of podiums that fell down, one I believe had medal recipients on it at the time, the heat going out in a part of the Olympic Village for almost 24 hours...

The good thing is that it gave the world a look at a very beautiful place here in the USA.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Unfortunately, the Lake Placid Olympics was an embarrassment! Unfinished event venues, a couple of podiums that fell down, one I believe had medal recipients on it at the time, the heat going out in a part of the Olympic Village for almost 24 hours...

The good thing is that it gave the world a look at a very beautiful place here in the USA.

Well I wasn't alive back then. So forgive my ignorance.


Let's not forget the near financial debacle of Salt Lake City.

In any case, we must have been forgiven as a nation as we had held several games since Lake Placid.

It's just not our turn again.

 

[LukenDC]

Well I wasn't alive back then. So forgive my ignorance.


Let's not forget the near financial debacle of Salt Lake City.

In any case, we must have been forgiven as a nation as we had held several games since Lake Placid.

It's just not our turn again.

The SLC Games did make a $50 million profit and were well-organized. Unfortunately those Games were tainted by the corruption of the IOC in general.

 

[castleview]

Unfortunately, the Lake Placid Olympics was an embarrassment! Unfinished event venues, a couple of podiums that fell down, one I believe had medal recipients on it at the time, the heat going out in a part of the Olympic Village for almost 24 hours...

The good thing is that it gave the world a look at a very beautiful place here in the USA.

I'll give that one to Atlanta. The behavior of the crowd (at least the gymnastics events) was jingoistic and disrespectful.

At least when Lake Placid was hosting, it was around a time when very few countries bid on the games. Los Angeles ran for the 84 games unopposed and they set the standard for the games ever since. In my lifetime, there have been three Olympics in my country, and two (soon to be three) just over the border. I won't complain about anti-Americanism. Then again, I live outside NYC and the Olympics - as much as I love them - was the last thing I wanted here.

 

[daughtersrus]

I wonder what happens to all of the money that was donated chicago2016?

 

[Aisling]

Well I wasn't alive back then. So forgive my ignorance.

I was. Yeah, I'm old!

I'm hoping for Rio, only because it seems like such an exciting city, and I want to see all the "beautiful people" on the beach!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

It's
Rio!​

 

[daughtersrus]

It's RIO!

 

[crashbb]

Rio got the games.