http://i564.photobucket.com/albums/ss88/dutch_mentor/124125_PAN_CAC_FAC_AM_AT_161208.jpg

In recent years, Valencia has made great efforts to attract sports competitions of international importance to the city. In 2007 the America’s Cup came to Valencia: it is the most important competition in the world of sailing, and one of the most popular sport events in the world after the Football World Cup and the Olympic Games. From 2004 to 2007, thanks to the regattas of the Louis Vuitton Cup, Valencia’s port saw the best sailing teams in the world competing against each other, in which the winners were the Emirates Team New Zealand, who had been up against Alinghi (the last team to hold the trophy) in the finals.

From the 22nd to the 24th of August, 2008, Valencia will celebrate the passion of Formula 1, due to the European Grand Prix Formula 1 competition. It will consist of three exciting days which begin with open training sessions, official training sessions, classifying rounds and finally the European Gran Prix itself. But this year the real difference will be the inauguration of a Formula 1 city circuit in Valencia city, the Valencia Street Circuit, which promises to be a most vibrant spectacle during the next 7 years.

The Valencia Street Circuit will have an unbeatable location, Valencia’s port, and is designed in order to guarantee drivers’ safety whilst promoting the enjoyment of the fans.

The next challenge for Valencia will be their Olympic bid for 2020, if Madrid fails to be elected for the Olympic Games of 2016.

Valencia has the perfect location for outdoor sports practice in the form of the Gardens in the old Turia riverbed, the main parks in the city where you will always find people practicing different sports no matter what the time of day. You can take a cycle tour (a stable four-wheel tandem), go for a bike ride or take a pleasant trip on the tourist train.

A pedal-powered trip around the city is definitely worth considering, given the city’s 68 kilometres of cycle lanes. But if it is goals that really interest you, Valencia has four different pitches very close to hand. They are –from furthest away to nearest- El Bosque, Escorpión, Manises and El Saler. The last of these, set in the sandy, wooded area which separates the sea from the Albufera lakes, is one of the most picturesque in Spain, and one of the best locations for sports pitches in the world.

Fans of speed on wheels have the opportunity of enjoying the most modern motor racing track in Europe, the "Circuito de la Comunidad Valenciana Ricardo Tormo" track, which stands out for its clever design and the quality of the installations.

http://www.expohotelvalencia.com/en/location/sports

http://www.comunitatvalenciana.com/files/fotos/monteolivete.jpg

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/6960/jardinturiadesdenoria1.jpg

Over the new two bids (2020 / 2024) I see it coming from these selections......

Americas
-Bueno Aires (not as likely 4/8 years after Rio)
-Chicago
-San Fran
-NYC
-Toronto

Europe
-Paris
-Istanbul
-Madrid
-Berlin
-Warsaw
-Amsterdam

Asia (I don't see many Asian cities or nations being practical choices beyond Japan/China.
-Tokyo
-Shanghai

Africa
-Cape Town

I think it will go to Paris in 2020. I think the IOC will keep away from doing back to back "horizon" bids which will dismiss a Cape Town or Istanbul. I think many of the Eurocentric's in the IOC will want bookend London bids with a Paris eight years later. If not Berlin or perhaps Madrid see as the member have a hard on for their old IOC head.

Given a 2020 European games I would bet Toronto or Cape Town for 2024.

I really doubt Paris will go back so soon. There was a lot of bad feeling after their 2012 defeat. The promise of a centenery games in 2024 might lure them back into bidding again, but I'd be surprised if Paris went back in again for 2020. I might be proved wrong and they'd be a formiddable contender once again if they do bid.

Definitely BUDAPEST!

I've said it once, I'll say it again...Cape Town 2020! :P

Definitely BUDAPEST!

Too small. Though I do think the IOC will give more leeway to smaller European nations/cities. Still it would surprise me (or Prague, Copenhagen, Zurich, etc.)

Maybe Kuala Lumpur & Singapore join together to host 2020 OG?

I think it would be great:)

Olympics: Disappointed Tokyo looks to 2020 bid
Posted: 03 October 2009 0248 hrs
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_sports/view/1008967/1/.html

TOKYO : A stunned Tokyo expressed disappointment after being eliminated in its bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics but quickly rallied to hope for another chance at the 2020 Games.

"It was really disappointing for us and for the children but this is not the end. We want to carry this on to the next chance," said Olympic women's marathon medallist Yuko Arimori who won the silver in 1992 and the bronze in Atlanta in 1996.

Arimori was among about 700 people who packed an auditorium at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government headquarters to watch the International Olympic Committee voting session in Copenhagen live on television here early Saturday.

A stunned silence greeted IOC president Jacques Rogge's announcement that Tokyo had lost out after favoured Chicago faded in the first round, leaving Madrid and Rio de Janeiro in contention with the Brazilian city emerging the winner.

"I regret it but we have lost in a fair manner," Tokyo vice governor Hiroshi Sato said as sobbing was heard in the auditorium. "We can dream the same dream twice or three times."

"I think this will lead us to our next dream," said television personality and former tennis star Shuzo Matsuoka, who emceed the public viewing attended by other celebrities, sports officials, business leaders and Tokyo administrators.

Noriyuki Ichihara, executive director of the Japanese Olympic Committee, said Madrid's bid team had a "very imposing presence" with former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch and King Carlos.

"We kind of lost to Madrid's heavyweight power but Tokyo was not outdone in its presentation," he said.

Japan's new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama emphasised Tokyo's plan to host an environmentally friendly Games, just a few weeks after he surprised the world with a bold plan to cut Japan's carbon emissions by 25 percent.

Hatoyama joined the bid team at the last minute after he was elected prime minister two weeks ago and visited the United States to reaffirm his anti-global warming plan before the United Nations General Assembly.

Writer Naoki Inose, another Tokyo vice governor, said: "Tokyo's presentation was the best in that it had an ideal about what the Olympics should be."

Japan's most famous wrestling family made a noisy show outside the auditorium as former professional wrestler Heigo "Animal" Hamaguchi slammed the floor and declared: "We will have 2020."

Hamaguchi's daughter Kyoko, 31, is a five-time world wrestling champion and won the bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Games and another in Beijing last year.

"You don't keep on winning in your life. Sometimes you lose but you come back!," the father said. "Right, Kyoko?"

To which his daughter answered, "Yes."

About 100 bid supporters gathered at another public viewing session on the ground floor of the Tokyo Tower, which was lit up in the five Olympic ring colours.

"I'm really disappointed", said Takeo Furukawa, dressed in a traditional festival jacket. "I hope that Tokyo will compete again for 2020 and that we will draw the lessons from this time".

- AFP /ls

PAGE 8 >>
2020 Summer Olympics
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2020 Summer Olympics The International Olympic Committee has yet to begin the selection process for the host city; the site of the Games of the XXXII Olympiad—as they will be officially known—is expected to be announced in the summer of 2013.

Potential bids :
Cape Town, South Africa
Busan, Republic of Korea
Delhi, India
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Copenhagen, Denmark
Hamburg, Germany
Istanbul, Turkey
Lisbon, Portugal
Prague, Czech Republic
Rome, Italy
St. Petersburg, Russia
Boston, United States
Monterrey, Mexico
Philadelphia, United States
Toronto, Canada
New Orleans, United States
Brisbane, Australia
Melbourne, Australia

PAGE 20 >>

Potential bids: 2020 Summer Olympics
Source: WIKIPEDIA

The 2020 Summer Olympics (officially known as the Games of the XXXII Olympiad) are expected to be a major international sports and cultural festival to be celebrated in the tradition of the Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee has yet to begin the selection process; a host city is expected to be announced in mid-2013.

Africa
Cape Town, South Africa
Durban, South Africa

Asia
Busan, South Korea
Delhi, India
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Taipei, ROC (Taiwan)

Europe
Istanbul, Turkey
Romagna, Italy
Rome, Italy
Milan, Italy
Milngavie, Scotland
St. Petersburg, Russia
Warsaw, Poland
Valencia, Spain

North America
Birmingham, Alabama
Boston, Massachusetts
Detroit, Michigan
Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

South America
Lima, Peru

Oceania
Brisbane, Australia
Melbourne, Australia
Sydney, Australia

UPDATE:
Potential bids: 2020 Summer Olympics
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Summer_Olympics

Africa
Cape Town, South Africa
Durban, South Africa
Rabat, Morocco

Asia
Busan, South Korea
Delhi, India
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Taipei, ROC (Taiwan)
Baku, Azerbaijan
Tokyo, Japan

Europe
Istanbul, Turkey
Romagna, Italy
Rome, Italy
Milan, Italy
Venice, Italy
Milngavie, Scotland
St. Petersburg, Russia
Warsaw, Poland
Valencia, Spain
Budapest, Hungary
Lisbon, Portugal

North America
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Birmingham, Alabama
Boston, Massachusetts
Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

South America
Lima, Peru

NOTE: NEW

venice can be a surprise!!!
it would be fantastic!

Why not? In the US the most viewed "sport" during the summer is NASCAR. I'm sure a lot of Americans would enjoy watching the Winter Olympics during the summer. It's sport outside of NASCAR. Having that said... SANTIAGO 2018!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Winter Olympics in june? Never ever, stop dreaming!

Winter Olympics in june? Never ever, stop dreaming!

New Zealand, Chile, Argentina or even Australia could be nice venues for Winter Olympics!

But the truth is that we in the SH (at least in Brazil) don't really give much importance to this event.

Lisbon 2020!

I don´t Know, Maybe the next year we can say... i hope so... Monterrey, or Gualajara, Mexico City too... Who know´s..

I would love to see it!! Maybe Guadalajara will be ready with Panam Games and Youth Summer Olympic Games. But If they will the Youth Olympic Games they will probaly have to wait to bid for the Olympíc Games.

I hope NY or San Francisco to bid for the 2020 Olympic Games.

Minneapolis/ St. Paul??

I think they are currently toying with the idea

But you supported Tokyo in this race didn't you?

Yes, I did. Generally, I do support this going to new cities/countries, but made an exception this time around. Tokyo is the world's largest city by a long shot, and the summer games hadn't been to Japan, the world's 3nd largest economy, since 1964. My preference was also due to worries about unsportsmanlike conduct similar to which occurred at the 2007 Pan Am Games.

Now that Rio has won, I congratulate them. On second consideration, I do think Brazil deserves the games, and an opportunity to show the world that they can be gracious hosts.

Too small. Though I do think the IOC will give more leeway to smaller European nations/cities. Still it would surprise me (or Prague, Copenhagen, Zurich, etc.)


small my ass

München was smaller, Barcelona was smaller

What cities want to bid is only part of the equation. A city can only bid with the support of their country's Olympic Committee. That could keep a US city from bidding.

The USOC isn't going to stop a US city from bidding. It is really of little risk, finacial or otherwise, to letting a U.S. team bid. Now, they may sabotage a bid with their tactics with the USOC.


small my ass

München was smaller, Barcelona was smaller

Budapest metro is around 3.2 metro if my info is correct. Smaller then both Metro Munich and Barcelona.

The metro is still perhaps big enough but what I was refering to more in Budapets case was the nations population which is only ten million. I think for a variety of reasons the IOC would prefer to gravitate towards larger markets unless given a compelling reason not to.

The metro is still perhaps big enough but what I was refering to more in Budapets case was the nations population which is only ten million. I think for a variety of reasons the IOC would prefer to gravitate towards larger markets unless given a compelling reason not to.

what do you mean market? i thought the olympics were world-wide events...

or do you think they will sell less mascots made out of cardboard? big fin deal


and since we are down to dickmeasuring, at this point i should probably mention that out of the top 10 countries on the medal list only Hungary has not yet had a summer game
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-time_Olympic_Games_medal_table

I think that NYC should get the olympics, because I think in the global eye just like most big cities such as London, Paris, and Los Angeles, it is often considered a Global City over an American City, people look at new york for being new york instead of being a city in the US, i say this because i believe chicago lost because people associated it with the us, and automatically disregarded it because they were anti-american. While new york is a very foreign american city. Also it could really help out one of the buroughs, I think we should have the stadium built in Queens, because it is pretty safe, close to manhattan, and isnt as fortunate as Brooklyn to have all tke skyscrapers and pretty nice housing. I dont think the Bronx should have it, not safe enough yet.

what do you mean market? i thought the olympics were world-wide events...

or do you think they will sell less mascots made out of cardboard? big fin deal


and since we are down to dickmeasuring, at this point i should probably mention that out of the top 10 countries on the medal list only Hungary has not yet had a summer game
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-time_Olympic_Games_medal_table

You don't have notion of the concept of market size? You think it was an accident that the IOC as eager to get to China finally despite the numerous criticism? You think it had anything to do with the fact they are 1.2 billion plus as opposed to say a nation of say ten million?

Bigger markets are generally better. It makes more citizens happy, makes sponsors happier, and makes TV networks happier.

I would like to take a look at numbers at how world cup skiing does on TV in the northern hemisphere from May-Sep. compared to Nov.-March. I would bet anything the numbers are abysmal by comparison. For northerners in general I think during their summer their minds would just shut off any care about winter sports. People don't to think about the cold climes and conditions to come in July and August.

I would love to see a winter games in Chile or New Zealand however I do not see the logistics allowing it. Just like you weren't able to see the logistics of Rio 2016.

Just like you weren't able to see the logistics of Rio 2016.

In what way did I fail to see the logistics of a Rio bid? I said I thought all four cities could throw at least a very respectable to a very excellent games.

Gramercy I am a Hungarian American, my mom is from Hungary in fact i have spent almost a year in hungary altogether, my family is from Vac, about 30 km from budapest, I have been to budapest probably 40 times, and i can tell you I dont think it should host the olympics, it isnt ready, it would have to spend massive amounts of money, and the infrastructure isnt good enough either

Japan should look for other cities to bid. Kyoto, for exemple could be a great host city. Or Hiroshima, an Olympic on a city which have been razed by the atomic bomb could have a great appeal.

Bangkok does have a certain degree of bidding experience in the standard Olympics, as it bid to host the 2008 Summer Olympics, but was not selected as an applicant city. Bangkok has hosted the Asian Games 4 times, most recently in 1998. As Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok's location is a slight advantage over any other bids, as an Olympic Games has never before been held in Southeast Asia. Bangkok's prominence in the region and the fact that it is well-known worldwide make it an obvious choice for applicancy; it's large population, booming economy (Bangkok has the third-fastest growing economy in Asia according to the 2010 bid website) and amount of potential accomodation in place (the capital has many luxury hotels and has the most restaurants per sq kilometre in the world) all count in its favour.

it is specualted that the city could bid to host the 2020 Olympics

Prague, Budapest...could be nice in 2020 but where they want to have sailing?? Czech Republic and Hungary don't have access to any see:nuts: Of course Hungary has Balaton, but it would be appropriate? But Czech Rep. doesn't have even a large lake.

IMO the best place for XXXII Olympics is Durban! Brand new stadium has been built which is absolutely fantastic, if 2010 WC will be a great success for RSA they could bid. It would be first Olympics in Africa as well.

Make your choice

Rabat | Morocco

Cape Town | South Africa

Durban | South Africa

Busan | South Korea

Delhi | India

Dubai | UAE

Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia

Taipei | Taiwan

Baku | Azerbaijan

Tokyo | Japan

Istanbul | Turkey

Rome | Italy

Venice | Italy

St. Petersburg | Russia

Paris | France

Warsaw | Poland

Budapest | Hungary

Lisbon | Portugal

Madrid | Spain

Valencia | Spain

Toronto | Canada

Boston | USA

Minneapolis/St. Paul | USA

Chicago | USA

Guadalajara | Mexico

Monterrey | Mexico

Lima | Peru

Other


The poll :bash:

The USOC isn't going to stop a US city from bidding. It is really of little risk, finacial or otherwise, to letting a U.S. team bid. Now, they may sabotage a bid with their tactics with the USOC.

Considering that a bid requires cooperation and time from the USOC, which equates to money, the certainly would stop a city from bidding, especially if a bid conflicts with their plan for the next 10 years or so, which it could if they turn to financial warfare.

Was this supposed to have a poll or something?

My breakdown from the other thread.

Now, when considering possible US bids for 2020 one should consider which cities have the following:


A large GDP
Cultural cachet
A need for a new football/athletic stadium



San Francisco meets all the criteria but the citizens of the city are very anti-sports and will never approve of the construction of a new stadium no matter how badly it's needed.

Washington DC meets all the criteria but would run into huge issues regarding oversight (federal vs city) and funding (federal vs anything else).

Los Angeles meets all three criteria but it has the issue of having already hosted two Olympics and it's main airport is already overcapacity.

Miami also meets all the criteria but its hard to imagine the city of Miami putting aside the cocaine and condoms to actually do something constructive. Heh, heh. Seriously this probably wouldn't be high on their list of priorities.

New Orleans meets the last two criteria but already has issues with rebuilding from Katrina let alone preparing for the Olympics.

San Diego meets the last two but may not have the money (remember Chicago had $450 billion and it still wasn't enough to sway the IOC) and there is an issue with the lack of capacity at its airport.

Boston meets the first two criteria but with no need for a new stadium, and no place for a temporary one, geography might conspire against them.

Minneapolis meets the last criteria (and actually has expressed an interest in running) but has little recognition internationally and may not have the deep pockets.

Honolulu meets the second criteria but would run into issues of access as well as issues of stadium location, cost and need.

One city that meets none of the criteria, but would be interesting, is Pittsburgh. Sure it's relatively poor, no one knows it internationally, and it doesn't need a stadium but it's topography would make for one beautiful Olympic Games.

Toronto 2015 Lobbies PASO Members in Copenhagen - Will An Olympics Be Next?
Sunday, October 4, 2009 8:18am EDT GB Editor
Font size:

Toronto's bid for the 2015 Pan Am Games is in Copenhagen on the Ocassion of the Olympic Congress. This may be the final time the bid committee will have to lobby several of the PASO members that are in town for the event.

Saturday, the bid team led by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty rolled out a maple leaf covered red carpet (literally) at a Copenhagen Hotel to entertain and pitch their plans to many of the potential 42 voters who will cast their ballot in Guadalajara, Mexico next month.

Along with the Premier in attendance were Bid Chair David Peterson, President Jagoda Pike, COC President Michael Chambers, IOC Member Dick Pound, Minister of Sport Gary Lunn and other members of the team.

"We're getting a pretty positive feel... but we're working super-hard, we're not taking anything for granted.", Bid spokeperson Bob Richardson told GamesBids.com, "this is going to be a very tough competition."

Richardson watched the 2016 Olympic bid election from Rio House on Friday and made some notes.

"Presentations are important - I think some bid cities learned that yesterday. We're very focused on that and we're making sure we're going to do a good one.

"We just saw four performances, it makes you think about a whole bunch of things that you wouldn't necessarily have thought of until you see somebody else doing it.

"This is about sport and you got to get your focus on that ... that was reiterated and driven home here [in Copenhagen].", he said, "the bid that won focused heavily on sport in their videos, heavily on sport throughout their piece."

Toronto lost bids for both the 1996 and 2008 Olympic Games; Richardson was involved in the latter. Rio used their 2007 Pan Am Games as a stepping stone to this week's Olympic bid win.

Is there any chance Toronto is going to do the same?

"Zero at this point, Z-E-R-O zero.", Richardson said.

"Realistically, Toronto has not won a major sporting event in 70 years. Last time something came to our area was the Empire Games (the forerunner of the Commonwealth Games). We want to win a Games and we want to get the infrastructure built which is great for kids, communities and high-performance athletes. That's our focus - we've got four weeks to go and that's what we're focused on.

"Seriously, if you're thinking we're going to compete for 2020 - there's a ZERO chance of that happening. I can tell you as a guy who's been involved and been COO of the Olympic bid - zero."
Toronto Star reports that the Chair of Toronto's 2008 Olympic bid John Bitove Jr. and Canadian Olympic Committee CEO Chris Rudge have differing opinions and discussed potential bids for 2020 or 2024.

The final vote between Toronto, Bogota and Lima will be November 6.

Rabat | Morocco

Cape Town | South Africa

Durban | South Africa

Busan | South Korea

Delhi | India

Dubai | UAE

Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia

Taipei | Taiwan

Baku | Azerbaijan

Tokyo | Japan

Istanbul | Turkey

Rome | Italy

Venice | Italy

St. Petersburg | Russia

Paris | France

Warsaw | Poland

Budapest | Hungary

Lisbon | Portugal

Madrid | Spain

Valencia | Spain

Toronto | Canada

Boston | USA

Minneapolis/St. Paul | USA

Chicago | USA

Guadalajara | Mexico

Monterrey | Mexico

Lima | Peru

Other


The poll :bash:

you could have mentioned Zagreb and Belgrade too, coz there are only two or three suitable cities, wtf delhi, lima, st paul, venice, st petersburg

and one more thing - you are all very boring with all those olympics 2020 possibilities, it has been just announced who will host 2016, and 2020 is going to Europe - MADRID

Considering that a bid requires cooperation and time from the USOC, which equates to money, the certainly would stop a city from bidding, especially if a bid conflicts with their plan for the next 10 years or so, which it could if they turn to financial warfare.

I think we overestimate the time and money the USOC is involved with the a U.S. bid city. Perhaps I am underestimating it but that is what I figure.

There will likely always be an American city who will convince themselves they can weather the storm between the USOC or and IOC with promises from each to work together better in the future blah blah. It is in nobody's best interest to stop having U.S. city's effectively stopping from bidding.

Why is Rabat lanning to bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics? That city is incapable of hosting the Olympic Games. Why can't Casablanca do it? They hae a larger stadium which is on the draing board. Also, they have a larget populaion than Rabat. And no, there ain't gonna be a joint bid between Casablanca and Rabat.

Prague, Budapest...could be nice in 2020 but where they want to have sailing?? Czech Republic and Hungary don't have access to any see:nuts: Of course Hungary has Balaton, but it would be appropriate? But Czech Rep. doesn't have even a large lake.


i dont think (?) there's a rule against landlocked countries
Balaton is big enough and they have sailing races on it regularly, but if thats not enough i'm sure we could work it out with say croatia, dubrovnik or maybe rijeka

my guess is somewhere in Europe

Toronto 2020

Rome or Venice will compete for the 2020 Olympics.

i dont think (?) there's a rule against landlocked countries
Balaton is big enough and they have sailing races on it regularly, but if thats not enough i'm sure we could work it out with say croatia, dubrovnik or maybe rijeka

Prague and Budapest are at least on major rivers. I find the idea of a city without a major water source to be major scenic and atheletic drawback for a city let alone a nation.
To me it is only a bit less odd then having a winter games away from mountains Part of the reason why I wasn't as positive about Madrids bid as some others were.

Madrid should bid for 2020, and follow the same argument Rio did, the only big capital city in Europe without OG, maybe IOC take us into account, you already know it doesn't mather issues like best technical bid or something like this, now is time to beg them!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Summer_Olympics

Madrid should bid for 2020, and follow the same argument Rio did, the only big capital city in Europe without OG, maybe IOC take us into account, you already know it doesn't mather issues like best technical bid or something like this, now is time to beg them!



Only if no an African city was postulated

Prague and Budapest are at least on major rivers. I find the idea of a city without a major water source to be major scenic and atheletic drawback for a city let alone a nation.

like Beijing? like München? like Paris?

c'mon man, by that standard Paris is eliminated. PARIS!

The continental rotation is very important, so any american city must discard

I think that Puerto Rico could bid succesfully for the 2020 or 2024, it's part of the USA, and also identified as spanish speaking, it's North America, but the caribbean also.

Seriously man ... Puerto Rico? I don't know why people are mentioning cities that have absolutely ZERO chance of winning. The reason why Rio won is because even though they have poor infrastructure, they still have a MASSIVE population base behind the city and the country at large.

At the moment I'm thinking Cape Town or Tokyo. If a great European bid surfaces with enough contrast to both London and Rio (so, possibly not Madrid), going back to Europe is possible. Hell, even a USA victory is possible if they put in a good bid and, crucially, mend relations between USOC and the IOC.

I'm ruling out South America for obvious reasons, Australia, China and India.

If it's Europe, imho it's Madrid's turn...

if madrid persist i think that is hard to beat its...
Madrid 2020
But i think that one arab city can host 2020.
Abu Dhabi ... Dubai ... Doha ...
what do you think?

Delhi | India

that would be great!!

Madrid has been persistent which I guess has to count for something but I would rather see France, Italy, Germany, or even perhaps Poland put forth a winning bid as Barcelona was not all that long ago.

If it's Europe, imho it's Madrid's turn...

It's nobody's turn. And it's very easy to make the opposite case. Spain has hosted a quite recent summer games in 1992. In terms of countries, only Britain and Greece will have hosted more recent summer games in Europe.

I seriously do not see any African city mounting a serious bid ... same goes for the middle east and Asia (outside of Tokyo ... which has a legit shot in my opinion). Aside from that, I think Madrid has a good chance and if Toronto bids, so do we.

It's nobody's turn. And it's very easy to make the opposite case. Spain has hosted a quite recent summer games in 1992. In terms of countries, only Britain and Greece will have hosted more recent summer games in Europe.

Agreed.

Also, I wonder whether Vancouver 2010 will have a negative impact on a potential Toronto 2020 bid. I would hope not. If we were bidding for 2012 or 2016 I would have expected it to but hopefully a decade is enough of a gap for it to be not held against Toronto.

if madrid persist i think that is hard to beat its...
Madrid 2020
But i think that one arab city can host 2020.
Abu Dhabi ... Dubai ... Doha ...
what do you think?

Not a chance IMO. Why people insist that a quality games can be held in +100 degree heat, in nations that hold very little sporting/Olympic legacy, with very small domestic populations to market and sell tickets to I am not sure. They could build some pretty awesome arenas and villages with their exploited laborers but other then the offerings are somewhat small I think.

by 2020 NA will not have had a summer olympic game in 24 years. Also, every other continent that is capable of hosting will have hosted by then, so it's only logical that they should go to NA, now will they is the question.

Capable NA cities that would have a shot at winning and those considering a bid:

Canada:
- Toronto (considering)
- Calgary (capable)

Mexico:
- Monterrey (capable)
- Guadalajara (capable
- Mexico City (capable)

USA:
- Boston (capable)
- Tulsa (considering)
- Minneapolis/ St. Paul (considering)
- Chicago (capable)
- San Francisco (capable)
- NYC (capable outside of manhatten)
- Philadelphia (capable)
- Houston (capable)

Prague and Budapest are at least on major rivers. I find the idea of a city without a major water source to be major scenic and atheletic drawback for a city let alone a nation.
To me it is only a bit less odd then having a winter games away from mountains Part of the reason why I wasn't as positive about Madrids bid as some others were.
Prague and Budapest both have no chances in summer games. Youth summer games are possible, but not adults. It's too expensive not just for cities, but for their countries.

^^ Logic rarely comes into it Matt. The IOC are about as predictable as the lottery numbers.

The more I'm thinking about the more I am liking the idea of an Istanbul bid. It will be one games removed from a Europe games (London) and two away from an Asian (Beijing). It's ambiguity of not falling into a distinct region probably helps it more then it hurts.

Prague submitted a bid but failed to shortlist for 2016. Then again, Rio failed to get on the shortlist for 2012 and won four years later, so maybe that's not as big a hurdle as it seems. But I'd be surprised if Prague had a chance.

Prague and Budapest both have no chances in summer games. Youth summer games are possible, but not adults. It's too expensive not just for cities, but for their countries.

~200 Bn economies you are talking about, sure, very expensive..

like Beijing? like München? like Paris?

c'mon man, by that standard Paris is eliminated. PARIS!

Paris at least has the River Seine. I didn't say that it should disqualify a city but for me it is a pretty large negative working against a city among a host of factors. Water sporst are a big part of the games and cities that can host them in natural settings is a plus IMO.

Prague and Budapest both have no chances in summer games. Youth summer games are possible, but not adults. It's too expensive not just for cities, but for their countries.

That is largely what I was getting to earlier in my post. It is both very expensive for a small city/nation plus it is less attractive for the IOC from a marketing and PR perspective.
No chance is a strong word but the odds are stacked against them for sure I'd agree. Better to try and get a winter games if your a small nation and have the right climate/geography.

They went with that message the last three times they bid and it didn't win the IOC over. Their logo for these three bids couldn't have been clearer with that message, to be honest:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/it/thumb/0/02/Istanbul2012.jpg/150px-Istanbul2012.jpg

So, whilst that idea may appeal to you, it hasn't won the IOC over for three consecutive bids.

I think Delhi, Cape Town, and Dubai will be finalists.

They went with that message the last three times they bid and it didn't win the IOC over. Their logo for these three bids couldn't have been clearer with that message, to be honest:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/it/thumb/0/02/Istanbul2012.jpg/150px-Istanbul2012.jpg

So, whilst that idea may appeal to you, it hasn't won the IOC over for three consecutive bids.

True, they got farther then Rio did with their previous bids though and like Brazil I would say Turkey is seen largely seen as methodically coming into its own and are growing regional powers and econmically stabelized. Like Brazil Turkey has a pretty good sproting and Olympic history of its own as well.

Plus I think over the last ten years there would be more of an impetus to consider Turkey as a kind of a symbolical rapprochement or bridging of sorts in the world.

Surely an italian city will candidate. Right now Rome and - oh my god - Venice are candidating themselves. Milan has already the EXPO for 2015 to deal with, Turin had the games in 2006 and Naples is a mess.

My guess the official candidat from Italy will be Rome. Venice is just not large enough for the current games...that said if you wanted a "wow" factor it's there...

I think Delhi, Cape Town, and Dubai will be finalists.

^^ Cape Town is the only one of those three I can see making the shortlist.

Dubai is way too hot and doesn't have sporting tradition and Delhi doesn't have the infrastructure, is really struggling with the smaller Commonwealth Games, and is the worst country in the world in the population adjusted medal table (it seriously underperforms in Olympics given its size).

by 2020 NA will not have had a summer olympic game in 24 years. Also, every other continent that is capable of hosting will have hosted by then, so it's only logical that they should go to NA, now will they is the question.


No American city can host 2020.

What kind of self delusion is leading to Tulsa thinking it has a shot?


One thing to consider about a DC bid would be where the stadium might be located. Personally I would think a place across the Anacostia from the Nationals Stadium but since the city seems intent on redoing the RFK site that might get the nod despite being significantly less picturesque.

Paris at least has the River Seine.
erm, Budapest has this little creek called *Danube*


Water sporst are a big part of the games and cities that can host them in natural settings is a plus IMO.

i think its just fine if the games are held within the same country
there are plenty of venues for rowing games on the river Tisza and lake Balaton is good for sailing



That is largely what I was getting to

let's see, greece is the same population as both hungary and czech republic
in 2004 the greek economy was at 265 bn ppp, but when they won the bid in 1997 they were at a 174 bn ppp
both hungary and czech republic are bigger economies than that today, 4 years before the selection in 2013...


sorry, but this cost argument just aint gonna fly with me, especially since we are talking about investing a couple of bn euros into infrastructure..something that both these countries will be doing anyway from their own pockets and from the dozens of billions flying in from the eu

and besides, budapest for example already has 3 subways and a 4th under construction and a 5th half built (HÉV lines) and about 150 kms of tramways, a kick-ass intl airport, 11 suburban railway lines, already 6 highways leading to it (2 more in the future) and a 2x(3+1) concrete ringroad 75% completed


so spare me the BS about infrastructure and costs when for example Atlanta could host without a single mile of subway or tramway or LR

No American city can host 2020.

Why not?

~200 Bn economies you are talking about, sure, very expensive..

Just 200 billion? That's like the GDP of Phoenix.

Or is that in Euros? In which case that's about the same as the GDP of Chicago. Not insignificant.

Prague failed to shortlist for 2016. Their bid bombed. Why would it be any different four years later?

so spare me the BS about infrastructure and costs when for example Atlanta could host without a single mile of subway or tramway or LR

What are you talking about? Atlanta has one of the most mature subway systems in the US.

Why not?

Rio 2016

erm, Budapest has this little creek called *Danube*


Are you reading my post are just responding willy nilly?

Post 540
i dont think (?) there's a rule against landlocked countries
Balaton is big enough and they have sailing races on it regularly, but if thats not enough i'm sure we could work it out with say croatia, dubrovnik or maybe rijeka

Prague and Budapest are at least on major rivers. ..............


let's see, greece is the same population as both hungary and czech republic
in 2004 the greek economy was at 265 bn ppp, but when they won the bid in 1997 they were at a 174 bn ppp
both hungary and czech republic are bigger economies than that today, 4 years before the selection in 2013...

Greece is the home of the Olympic games. If Czech Rep. or Hungary was the home of the games over 2,000 years ago then perhaps you would have a point.

so spare me the BS about infrastructure and costs when for example Atlanta could host without a single mile of subway or tramway or LR

As an American I don't think Atlanta should have been given the games.

I don't think that's a reason to rule them out completely. The US does bring a lot to the table in terms of the Olympics. Rio makes a victory trickier than Tokyo or Madrid victories would have, but I don't think US 2020 is hugely unlikely.

Rio 2016

Well, good thing it's on another continent from the US then.

Well US is bidding for a 2018/2022 World Cup...

What are you talking about? Atlanta has one of the most mature subway systems in the US.

Perhaps you dont understand what I mean by subway. MARTA is a couple of railroad lines with a shorter lenght than _half_ of the tramway network of Budapest. MARTA is not a subway, it would porbably be called an S-bahn system in europe, which is very-very basic here.

Plus the ridership is like tramway 1, 4 and 6 added together in Budapest...

So?

There is no way that NA and SA are considered the same continent by IOC ... why should it anyways? Should Asia and Europe be considered the same continent? Canada, US and Mexico WILL be in the running for 2020 ... no doubt about it.

Greece is the home of the Olympic games. If Czech Rep. or Hungary was the home of the games over 2,000 years ago then perhaps you would have a point.

fair enough, but then lemme ask you this:
Lisbon? Stockholm? Zürich? Helsinki? Amsterdam?

fair enough, but then lemme ask you this:
Lisbon? Stockholm? Zürich? Helsinki? Amsterdam?

What about them? The ones that have hosted from that list did so at a time when the games were more Euro-centric, much smaller relative to today, and much less in every competitive be it for competitors or for Olympic bids.

The only one I see as having potential from that group today is maybe Amsterdam. I could be wrong of course though.

Perhaps you dont understand what I mean by subway. MARTA is a couple of railroad lines with a shorter lenght than _half_ of the tramway network of Budapest. MARTA is not a subway, it would porbably be called an S-bahn system in europe, which is very-very basic here.

Plus the ridership is like tramway 1, 4 and 6 added together in Budapest...

You can call it what you want we call it a heavy rail rapid transit system. One of the few genuine ones in the US.

Plus it does not surprise me that Budapest beats it in use. The cities are laid out very differently.

~200 Bn economies you are talking about, sure, very expensive..
Economy is not the budget. Hungary has just $70bln budget. How will it spend 20-30bln for olympic games? Even dividing it by 5 years 4-6bln yearly still absolutely impossible.


Prague submitted a bid but failed to shortlist for 2016. Then again, Rio failed to get on the shortlist for 2012 and won four years later, so maybe that's not as big a hurdle as it seems. But I'd be surprised if Prague had a chance.
so as moscow. but see, sochi has passed into 2014 winter olympic games, rio into 2016 summer olympic games. this is largely because of increasing power of bric counties. the world has changed in past few year. changed a lot.

Not a chance in hell. You can make an argument for the US not having it since they have hosted so many in the last several olympiads. But that would be LA's 3rd olympics. They may need to wait until the 22nd century to run again.

Maybe so. But look at London hosting it's 4rth, and they don't even have the Mediterranean weather :D

Don't go counting Los Angeles out, the IOC has a warm spot for L.A. since it practically rescued the Olympics in 1984 when no one would touch them with a 10 foot pole. L.A. '84 modernized the Olympics and everyone has followed the same patern.

OK, maybe not for 2020, I'll join my colleagues and push for 2032, when it'll mark the 100th anniversary of L.A.'s first Olympics way back in 1932.

No, Moscow shortlisted and faced the final vote in 2012, the same as Chicago in 2016. Prague wasn't deemed technically good enough to go to Copenhagen with Chicago, Rio, Tokyo and Madrid. Its bid was thrown out by the IOC over a year before the vote took place.

Maybe so. But look at London hosting it's 4rth, and they don't even have the Mediterranean weather :D


London's hosting its 3rd.

There is no way that NA and SA are considered the same continent by IOC ... why should it anyways? Should Asia and Europe be considered the same continent? Canada, US and Mexico WILL be in the running for 2020 ... no doubt about it.

Canada has Vancouver 2010 too close. Mexico shall not partecipate. US after 2 slams in the face I believe will not partecipate.

I don't think NA has many chances in 2020, regardless of RIO

Asia has the best shot, than Europe. Africa and Middle east may try but they will hardly win this time

Should Asia and Europe be considered the same continent?

Geologically, yeah. Politically, not so much.

DO u guys think the US has a posibility for 2020?

There is no way that NA and SA are considered the same continent by IOC ... why should it anyways? Should Asia and Europe be considered the same continent? Canada, US and Mexico WILL be in the running for 2020 ... no doubt about it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Olympic_Committee

Well, they do have NA and SA as one sports federation. I think the status is rather ambibous and if they are to be considered one region or two I think just depends on who ask. Some people are adamant that they are one and some are adamant they are two.

I could be wrong but I think most Europeans see them as one though and Europe has many a disproportionate number of IOC members................

DO u guys think the US has a posibility for 2020?

Enough so that if I felt that my city could be a truely competitive and high quality bid I would say its worth it.

I don't think think its similar to a European city going for 2016 or an Asian city going for 2012. The only real reason why a city from those regions should have gone for it during those times was to get props and future consideration by the IOC for later bids.

Rabat | Morocco

Cape Town | South Africa

Durban | South Africa

Busan | South Korea

Delhi | India

Dubai | UAE

Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia

Taipei | Taiwan

Baku | Azerbaijan

Tokyo | Japan

Istanbul | Turkey

Rome | Italy

Venice | Italy

St. Petersburg | Russia

Paris | France

Warsaw | Poland

Budapest | Hungary

Lisbon | Portugal

Madrid | Spain

Valencia | Spain

Toronto | Canada

Boston | USA

Minneapolis/St. Paul | USA

Chicago | USA

Guadalajara | Mexico

Monterrey | Mexico

Lima | Peru

Other


The poll :bash:

the only good cities are in bold, the rest are fake...or too small to count for anything.

but too bad it went to RIO..which is not even listed here.

Toronto is too fake or small to count for anything? Ok...

It's really an absurd remark from that person. I wouldn't bother trying to communicate with someone with such limited capacity.

OK, let me ask you this one question.

If there is supposed to be an unofficial rotation, why on earth would Western Europe get another games one removed from London?

Its going to Asia or Africa...probably Tokyo for persistance. North America might not be considered due to Rio. If it goes back to Madrid so close after London, the IOC is a farce.

London's was only one removed from Greece. Europe, if not necessarily Western Europe, has a chance.

London's was only one removed from Greece. Europe, if not necessarily Western Europe, has a chance.

Why? This shows ridiculous favortisim towards European cities.. I thought they were supposed to spread it around...1992,1994,2004, 2006, 2012,2014,2020...hmmm.... too many for europe. Asia is much larger in population, and then you have Africa waiting for its first. IF the IOC thinks it has to go back to Europe every 2 or 3 games, the whole process is skewed. Why shouldn't Europe be skipped for at least 3 games in a row?

If the proces is fair, Asia or Africa will get 2020 and then back to to NA (last summer games in 1996). Asia is likley to get 2018, so perhaps Africa has a decent chance in 2020.

my guess is somewhere in Europe

Yes, new region... Central Europe! Budapest or Prague...

Yes, new region... Central Europe! Budapest or Prague...

Ridiculous -- its just one removed from London, and you think its going back to Europe again?!!!!!

I'd be happy if Madrid hosted the 2020 OG. But I doubt they'll try again.

Otherwise, I hope Toronto bids.

Ridiculous -- its just one removed from London, and you think its going back to Europe again?!!!!!

and London is one removed from Athens

your point being?

i think that in 2020 warsaw would be great ;)

Yes, new region... Central Europe! Budapest or Prague...

and London is one removed from Athens

your point being?

That the whole process is too focused on Europe.

Economy is not the budget. Hungary has just $70bln budget. How will it spend 20-30bln for olympic games? Even dividing it by 5 years 4-6bln yearly still absolutely impossible.


first of all the core (that is bidding, venues, marketing, buildings) is estimated at ~3 bn$, the rest (infrastructure) is estimated at ~24 bn$

and why do you divide that by 5 years? you should divide it by 10 or 15 years, so lets go with an estimated 27 bn$/10 years, thats 2.7 bn$ per year 500 bn HUF / year

believe it or not, we are spending MORE on infrastructure per year as it is (railroads, rolling stock, highways, the rest of the road network, new subway, rest of the PT combined), and if we really committed to an olympic I'm sure we could squeeze out 1-200 bn HUF more / year

at least 80-90 % of the necessary infrastructure will be built by 2020 regardless (subway 4, highways M0, M2, M4, M6, couple of new bridges, several kms of new tramways, suburban railway renovations, repaving of most of the main road network, 1000 new buses....these are just some examples of what will be built in by 2014, the end of the first 7-year EU cycle that Hungary draws funds from)

That the whole process is too focused on Europe.

I'll give you that, but that has to do with a lot more than just the "process".

I'm supporting Istanbul, Cape Town and Rome

Just to mention - Montreal in 2008 paid the last instalment for their olympics in 1976 ;) Canada is not a poor country,but even they had problems with money. But I know nowadays situation is tottaly different. Don't worry, both Czech Rep and Hungary can cope with it.

Economy is not the budget. Hungary has just $70bln budget. How will it spend 20-30bln for olympic games? Even dividing it by 5 years 4-6bln yearly still absolutely impossible.


Not true. Hungarian budget is exactly 96.3 billion USD for the next year, and rising...

Gramercy gave pretty good answers for you already.

It's time for Madrid or Toronto to shine. :dj:

ISTANBUL 2020 :)

I would go for Toronto or Madrid.

Yes, new region... Central Europe! Budapest or Prague...

Funny. something terribly wrong with you.:lol::lol::lol:

Toronto will probably bid either for the 2020 or 2024. There is probably a better chance of winning 2024 than 2020, but really, these things are all up in the air.

Yes, Vancouver has the 2010 Olympics, but those are the "winter" Olympics.

And people, there is a difference between North America and South America. Having the Olympics in Rio in 2016 does not rule out North America. Come 2020, it will have been 24 years since a summer Olympics in North America, and 44 since a summer Olympics was held in Canada. The biggest challenge for Toronto in a 2020 or 2024 bid would be another contender from North America.

Sadda Dilli da jawab nahin.
2020/2024

I'm supporting Istanbul, Cape Town and Rome

Yep for security reasons, take some events to Capetown
For popularoty reasons take Football, Volleyball etc to Rome
The remaining can be put up in th Ata Turkh Stadium etc

I think we overestimate the time and money the USOC is involved with the a U.S. bid city. Perhaps I am underestimating it but that is what I figure.

There will likely always be an American city who will convince themselves they can weather the storm between the USOC or and IOC with promises from each to work together better in the future blah blah. It is in nobody's best interest to stop having U.S. city's effectively stopping from bidding.

The USOC often creates and dedicates an entire department in their operation to help the bid city and the heads of the USOC spend hours upon hours upon hours working backroom politics on behalf of the bid city. The USOC puts a lot of work into the bid. Just look at the final presentation for Chicago. One of their main speakers was the USOC President and he was well versed enough in the bid to detail specifics. The USOC puts a lot into it and they have no interest doing that if they don't really want a city to host or it interferes with the USOC's financial warfare agenda, which I believe will begin within months. Keep a close eye on the upcoming TV rights deal.

I think 2020 Summer Olympics would be hosted by an African City / Country

Keep a close eye on the upcoming TV rights deal.

The Chi Tribune has two articles about that today..........


http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sns-ap-oly-ioc-us-tv-rights,0,1798511.story

IOC says American TV rights for 2014-2016 Olympics less valuable after Rio win

GRAHAM DUNBAR

AP Sports Writer

COPENHAGEN (AP) — The cost of Chicago's defeat in its bid to host the 2016 Olympics will be felt in the value of the next U.S. broadcast deal.

The International Olympic Committee's top negotiator said the U.S. rights are worth less after the 2016 Games were awarded to Rio de Janeiro.

"Obviously, the domestic games would be more valuable," IOC finance commission chairman Richard Carrion told The Associated Press.

And the American deal — the most lucrative in the IOC's portfolio — might not be done for another three years if the economy doesn't improve.

"We have plenty of time and it doesn't have to be in 2010. We could conceivably do a deal as late as 2012," Carrion said.

U.S. networks including NBC, ABC-ESPN and Fox were expected to enter a bidding war for combined rights to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and a 2016 Chicago games.

NBC paid $2.2 billion for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and 2012 London Games.

The IOC gets more than half its revenue from broadcasting deals, and U.S. deals alone have been worth more than the rest of the world's broadcasters combined.

Carrion, an IOC Executive Board member from Puerto Rico, said the timing of U.S. negotiations was not dictated by Friday's host vote. Rio defeated Madrid 66-32 in the final round of voting after Chicago was eliminated first, before Tokyo also fell out of the race.

"I've always said it's more a matter of where the economy is heading rather than the selection of the host city," Carrion said.

Carrion did not expect the popularity of the Olympics to suffer a backlash from American viewers and advertisers after the manner of Chicago's defeat.

"It's still a premium brand. I would not read much into it that they were eliminated in the first round," Carrion said.

Just 18 of 95 IOC voters supported Chicago despite personal pleas in the final presentation Friday from President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.

"I don't think this will affect the television discussions," he said. "This is a competition like any competition. But there is only one gold medal, and no silver and bronze."

He said Rio's time zone, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time in New York City, was "not bad" for the American market.

A likely drop in American revenues would be partly compensated by rising revenues from Brazil.

In August, the IOC completed a $170 million rights sale to Brazilian broadcasters TV Globo, Bandeirantes and Rede Record to show events from Sochi and what will now be the home Rio Games.

Timo Lumme, the IOC's director of television and marketing, described that deal Sunday as a "huge evolution" from previous agreements.

Brazilian broadcasters paid $10 million for the combined 2006 Turin Winter Olympics and 2008 Beijing Games cycle, then $60 million for Vancouver and London.

Lumme said the Brazilians were bidding blind before the 2016 host vote.

"It was a good bet by them," Lumme told the AP. "It's turned out they are in Rio and we hope they go on to make a good return."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-091004-four-corners,0,7626309.column

Will U.S. networks finally start bucking the trend?

Four Corners

Four views on today's issues

8:16 p.m. CDT, October 4, 2009

Four Tribune Newspapers sportswriters weigh in on a topical issue every weekday.

We'll forget Chicago loss Paul Doyle, Hartford Courant

If the IOC awarded the 2016 Olympics to Tokyo or Madrid, U.S. networks might think twice about excessive bidding for future games. But while Rio de Janeiro doesn't offer the obvious strength of Chicago, the site has its pluses -- a favorable time zone so events can be shown live and a familiarity for U.S. tourists, not to mention an appeal to the United States' growing Latin American population.

So while it may seem Chicago's loss will make the Olympics irrelevant in the U.S., let's be real. With NBC, Fox and ABC/ESPN bidding, rights fees aren't going to decline. NBC paid $2 billion nine years ago for the 2010 and 2012 games, and the peacock seems happy with the investment. By 2016, U.S. consumers won't remember Chicago's loss. Viewers will be happy to watch live events in prime time, and sponsors will be lining up to attach themselves to the Olympics.

pdoyle@tribune.com

Cool on Winter GamesPhilip Hersh, Chicago Tribune

There is a widely held misconception that interest in the Olympics is declining in the United States. If that were true, how could NBC have gotten a 16.2 rating and 28 share for its prime-time telecasts of the 2008 Summer Games -- highest for a non-domestic Olympics since 1992 -- plus tens of millions of viewers on its cable outlets and Web sites?

Yes, any U.S. network would have bid more for a games in the United States, especially ESPN, thought to have been drooling over the idea of making Chicago 2016 its first Olympics. But Rio offers a favorable time zone (one hour later than New York), so networks would have intense interest if the 2016 Summer Games did not come with a booby prize -- the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, where an 8-hour time difference from New York and likely logistical nightmares add up to an unattractive property.

phersh@tribune.com

IOC likes U.S. ... moneyDiane Pucin, Los Angeles Times

It's ill-mannered to flaunt wealth, but where would the Olympic movement be without the millions upon billions of dollars spent by U.S. networks for television rights? Apparently anywhere but Chicago, which was quickly dumped in the latest Olympic city choice. It might be fun to see what would happen to the International Olympic Committee if U.S. networks quit paying big bucks for Olympic rights.

What if, say, for every time zone away from New York where the games are held, the U.S. rights holder got to subtract 10 percent of its bid? Just wondering if Chicago would have finished a badly beaten fourth in the latest race.

But ESPN may enter the next Olympic bidding, so the IOC has things right where it wants them. Anywhere but the U.S. and with American TV money still paying the bills. dpucin@latimes.com

Less bang for their buckGeorge Diaz, Orlando Sentinel

The Olympic gravy train has crashed.

With the economy scrambling to find its footing, networks would be foolish to pay the usual exorbitant broadcast fees.

The United States has always cut the biggest check: The most lucrative broadcast rights are the ones awarded here. NBC ponied up $1.181 billion for the 2012 Summer Games. But it's no coincidence that the IOC has postponed negotiations for the 2016 games. The IOC isn't going to be able to squeeze money that isn't there. And with Rio de Janeiro putting in the winning bid for 2016 -- and Chicago getting squeezed out -- there's less bang for the buck for U.S. broadcast holders.

There's a strong perception of elitism at play: The IOC is a Euro-centric group that doesn't look favorably at Americans.

If they don't want to play, then it makes no sense to pay.

DP

I think that it is India.

Delhi | India

.

And people, there is a difference between North America and South America. Having the Olympics in Rio in 2016 does not rule out North America. Come 2020, it will have been 24 years since a summer Olympics in North America, and 44 since a summer Olympics was held in Canada. The biggest challenge for Toronto in a 2020 or 2024 bid would be another contender from North America.

It is typical for us North Americans not to think of SA and NA as the same but for others in Asia and Europe I think that perception is decidely more mixed. I hope your right though as I would like to see a NA city also have a serious shot in 2020. :cheers:

Why? This shows ridiculous favortisim towards European cities.. I thought they were supposed to spread it around...1992,1994,2004, 2006, 2012,2014,2020...hmmm.... too many for europe. Asia is much larger in population, and then you have Africa waiting for its first. IF the IOC thinks it has to go back to Europe every 2 or 3 games, the whole process is skewed. Why shouldn't Europe be skipped for at least 3 games in a row?

If the proces is fair, Asia or Africa will get 2020 and then back to to NA (last summer games in 1996). Asia is likley to get 2018, so perhaps Africa has a decent chance in 2020.

The IOC isn't about fair; it's about how much corruption and bribes it takes to get the Olympics in a certain city. You have to consider also that there is a far greater density of different cities in Europe than on any other continent (even Asia), so it's just out of probably that Europe gets more Olympics anyway. I'm sorry to be a dissenting voice, but there is no African city that could handle the Olympics (yes, Cape Town included, South Africa only got the World Cup because of a FIFA continent rule that's been rebuked) and very few cities in developing countries could pull it off, São Paulo being a prime example. Even Rio barely qualifies. I'd rather see a city like Tokyo get them as it is, after all they have the necessary infrastructure, stability, and safety obligatory to host the games.

by 2020 NA will not have had a summer olympic game in 24 years. Also, every other continent that is capable of hosting will have hosted by then, so it's only logical that they should go to NA, now will they is the question.

Capable NA cities that would have a shot at winning and those considering a bid:

Canada:
- Toronto (considering)
- Calgary (capable)

Mexico:
- Monterrey (capable)
- Guadalajara (capable
- Mexico City (capable)

USA:
- Boston (capable)
- Tulsa (considering)
- Minneapolis/ St. Paul (considering)
- Chicago (capable)
- San Francisco (capable)
- NYC (capable outside of manhatten)
- Philadelphia (capable)
- Houston (capable)

Tulsa!?!?!?!? Seriously!?!?!?!?

Paris 2020, most likely.

i support Monterrey or Guadalajara!! 2020 or 2024!!!

London's hosting its 3rd.

Thanks for the correction. :)

asia=kuala lumpur
dubai

europe=italy
paris

america=newyork
toronto

africa=egypt
south africa

south america=beuno aires
venuzuela

IN NORTH AMERICA I WILL CHOOSE GUADALAJARA!

I will choose New York City, San Francisco or D.C.

dont forget istanbul....

OK, let me ask you this one question.

If there is supposed to be an unofficial rotation, why on earth would Western Europe get another games one removed from London?

Its going to Asia or Africa...probably Tokyo for persistance. North America might not be considered due to Rio. If it goes back to Madrid so close after London, the IOC is a farce.

The IOC is already a farce, Why they spend money on Evaluation Commission which is useless regarding last biddings process?

If I were an american city...I wouldnt even bid, it's clear it wont be chosen, no way if it's NA or SA, there are still five rings in the Olympic flag, no split continents...

^^ Well I do agree with that the IOC is a farce and in many ways detestable organization. I've been saying that a LONG time before last Friday BTW.

Most likely candidates for 2020:

1. Bangkok, Thailand, East Asia
2. Istanbul, Turkey, West Asia
3. Dehli, India, South Asia
4. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, East Asia
5. Jakarta, Indonesia, East Asia
6. Shanghai, China, North Asia
7. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, East Asia

Most likely candidates for 2020:

1. Bangkok, Thailand, East Asia
2. Istanbul, Turkey, West Asia
3. Dehli, India, South Asia
4. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, East Asia
5. Jakarta, Indonesia, East Asia
6. Shanghai, China, North Asia
7. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, East Asia

Don't think so...

^^

Yeah, all bids from Asia?:weird:

^^

Yeah, all bids from Asia?:weird:

I only listed the most likely bids. Keep in mind that East Asia, South Asia and West Asia has never held it.

They went with that message the last three times they bid and it didn't win the IOC over. Their logo for these three bids couldn't have been clearer with that message, to be honest:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/it/thumb/0/02/Istanbul2012.jpg/150px-Istanbul2012.jpg

So, whilst that idea may appeal to you, it hasn't won the IOC over for three consecutive bids.

Some years ago an old IOC member said to the turkish NOC president: You just have a good logo. Its better to bid 2020+
:D

2020 > Cape Town (if Fifa world cup 2010 successful) first african game
2024 > Istanbul (Euro 2020 of football should go there) european continent turn
2028 > Toronto
2032 > Bangkok (first games of south-east asia)
2036 > Bueno Aires
2040 > Alexandria
2044 > Saint-Petersbourg
2048 > Dallas
2052 > Shanghaï
2056 > Caracas
2060 > Casablanca
2064 > Berlin

2020 > Cape Town (if Fifa world cup 2010 successful) first african game
2024 > Istanbul (Euro 2020 of football should go there) european continent turn
2028 > Toronto
2032 > Bangkok (first games of south-east asia)
2036 > Bueno Aires
2040 > Alexandria
2044 > Saint-Petersbourg
2048 > Dallas
2052 > Shanghaï
2056 > Caracas
2060 > Casablanca
2064 > Berlin

That is funny. Berlin 2064, just 128 years since last time? I don't think so. You completely forgot Hyderabad.

Yep I think 2020 must go to Africa.

Maybe Cape Town has many possibilities (If they approve the WC test).......but would like Casablanca to host the Olympics on '2020.

Istanbul definatly deserves the Olympics on 2024.

That is funny. Berlin 2064, just 128 years since last time? I don't think so. You completely forgot Hyderabad.

Yeah its funny consider Berlin, even for the next 30 years. I think St Petersburg, Prague or Warsaw are more likely to host the games before Berlin again.

Yeah its funny consider Berlin, even for the next 30 years. I think St Petersburg, Prague or Warsaw are more likely to host the games before Berlin again.

He was being sarcastic :nuts:

There's no way in hell Berlin will be neglected an Olympics for 120 years!

I only listed the most likely bids. Keep in mind that East Asia, South Asia and West Asia has never held it.

One thing is that part of the world never hosting them, another thing is all bidding cities being from there.

One thing is that part of the world never hosting them, another thing is all bidding cities being from there.

They will be from different part of the world. Bangkok is very different from Istanbul and both are very different from Dehli which is very different from Jakarta etc. Much more different than Rio and Chicago or Madrid.

They will be from different part of the world. Bangkok is very different from Istanbul and both are very different from Dehli which is very different from Jakarta etc. Much more different than Rio and Chicago or Madrid.

You know what I meant. From different continents.

hey, the pool should be with mutiple choices.. it is impossible to select just one among many bids.

What I would like to see?

20 - Cape Town or Durban
24 - Paris
28 - Toronto
32 - Istanbul
36 - Buenos Aires
40 - Delhi
44 - New York
48 - Madrid


What will probably be:

20 - Paris
24 - Toronto
28 - Cape Town
32 - Madrid
36 - Brisbaine
40 - USA

Did Paris ever showed any interest to bid again for 2020?

It's very obvious who's gonna win!

:rofl: :rofl:

If Chicago bids again they should get it, but who knows if that will happen or not. If not, South Africa sounds good, or Warsaw or Tokyo.

Did Paris ever showed any interest to bid again for 2020?

No, I don't know why so many are putting them down for 2020. France are bidding for the 2018 WOGs at the moment. There was a fair amount of bad feeling after Paris' loss in 2012, I can't foresee them coming back again so soon.

The lure of the 100th anniversary of Paris 1924 may lure them back four years later, however.

2020 Cape Town or Dubai
2024 Cape Town or Dubai
2028 Paris
2032 Tokyo
2036 São paulo, Buenos Aires or Santiago -Chile
2040 Moscow

Dubai? kinda utopic :nuts:

2020 Cape Town or Dubai
2024 Cape Town or Dubai
2028 Paris
2032 Tokyo
2036 São paulo, Buenos Aires or Santiago -Chile
2040 Moscow

Back to South American 22 years later and no North American city involved?

2100 SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC! FIRST CARIBBEAN GAMES!:p

on my part:

2008 Beijing China
2012 London UK
2016 Rio Brazil
2020 Dubai UAE
2024 Cebu Philippines :D:D:D:D:D:D

2008 Beijing
2012 London
2016 Rio
2020 Madrid
2024 San Francisco
2028 El Cairo / Cape Town

2008 Beijing
2012 London
2016 Rio
2020 Madrid
2024 San Francisco
2028 El Cairo / Cape Town

Clearly the most beautiful cities to host the games in all time!!

My own wild guess (because guessing four years down the road is silly, let alone twenty!):

2020: Tokyo
2024: Paris, Rome, Madrid or Berlin
2028: Somewhere in the USA
2032: Another 'new frontier' - Delhi, Istanbul or Africa?

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Malaysia expects to be considered an advanced country by the year 2020, as expressed in Wawasan 2020. There is slight expectation from the public for the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur to host the Summer Olympics to mark Wawasan 2020.[10] With the success of the 1998 Commonwealth Games, Kuala Lumpur had decided to bid for the 2008 Games but it did not succeed in becoming a candidate on the shortlist,[11] nor did it make the shortlist in its bid for the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics.

http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/Picture5-1.pngmy design for olympic stadium by sketchup

My own wild guess (because guessing four years down the road is silly, let alone twenty!):

2020: Tokyo
2024: Paris, Rome, Madrid or Berlin
2028: Somewhere in the USA
2032: Another 'new frontier' - Delhi, Istanbul or Africa?

Tokyo is not a bad bet, although that depends if Chicago bids again or not. Either way, it's less likely that there will be two new horizon cities in a row.

http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/Picture5-1.pngmy design for olympic stadium by sketchup

:lol:

Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa:
http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/moses-mabhida-1.jpg

Tokyo is not a bad bet, although that depends if Chicago bids again or not. Either way, it's less likely that there will be two new horizon cities in a row.

I've read their bid offices are still open, despite their loss last Friday which is unusual and suggests they could well be looking ahead to 2020. I couldn't think of a greater contrast (Rio ---> Tokyo) and I think their bid was strong this time, but didn't have the geopolitical wind in its sails. The situation might be more favourable for them in 2020.

http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/31325999.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/f_07m_ad06c37.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/f_08m_2c52c4a.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/CG9820-206115.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/CG9820-20Impressive20main20stadium2.jpg
during the ceremony
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/CG9820-20Opening20ceremony200327-1.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/CommonwealthGames.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/Pix7.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/event_5_1.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/event_5_3.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/event_5_4.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/CG9820-20Opening20ceremony200327.jpg

from wikipedia
Kuala Lumpur (pronounced /ˈkwɑːləlʊmˈpʊər/ in English;[2] Malay [kwɑlɑlʊmpʊ], locally [kwɑləlʊmpɔ] or even [kɔlɔmpɔ],[3] and often abbreviated as K.L.), is the capital and largest city of Malaysia. The city proper, making up an area of 244 km2 (94 sq mi), has an estimated population of 1.6 million in 2006.[4] Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million.[5] It is the fastest growing metropolitan region in the country, in terms of population as well as economy
Beginning in the 1990s, the city has played host to many international sporting, political and cultural events including the 1998 Commonwealth Games,2001 sea games,asian cup 2007 and the Formula One World Championship.
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/259540634_5d17c645c5_b-1.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/4486267_802x493-1.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/2215610751_299d700516_b.jpg

logo
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/Picture2.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/Picture1.png
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg122/stratusmagnus/Picture1-2.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg122/stratusmagnus/kl20.png
stadium
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/Image2098.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/Image1586.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/Image1587.jpg
http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/aismanggo/Image1713.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg122/stratusmagnus/100_0175.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg122/stratusmagnus/DSC00787.jpg

My vote goes to Africa: Capetown
If not, it will be an Asian City: Tokyo, Osaka or Dehli.

I've read their bid offices are still open, despite their loss last Friday which is unusual and suggests they could well be looking ahead to 2020. I couldn't think of a greater contrast (Rio ---> Tokyo) and I think their bid was strong this time, but didn't have the geopolitical wind in its sails. The situation might be more favourable for them in 2020.

Tokyo's chances just may have taken a big dip...

http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/olympic_bids/rio_2016/1216134756.html

Tokyo's chances just may have taken a big dip...

http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/olympic_bids/rio_2016/1216134756.html

If the vote was a week away let alone four years away it likey wouldn't matter much at all. Think about the comments from Madrids bid just last week and how much that didn't hurt them.

^^ Beat me to it

I also disgree with the Tokyo's governors assertion their presentation was "far better" then the others. Well first that is a subjective assertion and to my eyes at least I think they had the worst or only slightly ahead of Chicago's. None of the presentations were that good or bad that they greatly changed the bids though IMO.

i'm pretty sure even milan's gonna bid for 2020 olympic games.The city's now in a brilliant moment: highrises, services and so on are growing up and developing so fast.Moreover let's not forget it's going to host 2015 expo thus lots of structures'll already be done and ready to use

How come everyone is backing up all of the cities that already hosted the Olympic Games? Give other cities the chance to host it and improve their infrastructure and economy.

How about Malaysia this time. Eventhough we are such a small economy country, we have lots to offer. :)
Kuala Lumpur 2020
Putrajaya 2020

My breakdown from the other thread.

Now, when considering possible US bids for 2020 one should consider which cities have the following:


A large GDP
Cultural cachet
A need for a new football/athletic stadium



San Francisco meets all the criteria but the citizens of the city are very anti-sports and will never approve of the construction of a new stadium no matter how badly it's needed.

Washington DC meets all the criteria but would run into huge issues regarding oversight (federal vs city) and funding (federal vs anything else).

Los Angeles meets all three criteria but it has the issue of having already hosted two Olympics and it's main airport is already overcapacity.

Miami also meets all the criteria but its hard to imagine the city of Miami putting aside the cocaine and condoms to actually do something constructive. Heh, heh. Seriously this probably wouldn't be high on their list of priorities.

New Orleans meets the last two criteria but already has issues with rebuilding from Katrina let alone preparing for the Olympics.

San Diego meets the last two but may not have the money (remember Chicago had $450 billion and it still wasn't enough to sway the IOC) and there is an issue with the lack of capacity at its airport.

Boston meets the first two criteria but with no need for a new stadium, and no place for a temporary one, geography might conspire against them.

Minneapolis meets the last criteria (and actually has expressed an interest in running) but has little recognition internationally and may not have the deep pockets.

Honolulu meets the second criteria but would run into issues of access as well as issues of stadium location, cost and need.

One city that meets none of the criteria, but would be interesting, is Pittsburgh. Sure it's relatively poor, no one knows it internationally, and it doesn't need a stadium but it's topography would make for one beautiful Olympic Games.

You have no clue what your talking about with any of those cities. How is SF anti-sport?

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/The-five-leading-candidates-to-host-the-2020-Sum;_ylt=AkcGaW4CZsuTkhm4kYWiXgrNycIF?urn=oly,194104

The five leading candidates to host the 2020 Summer Olympics

Mon Oct 05, 2009 4:38 pm EDT
By Chris Chase


Rio de Janeiro was just named host of the 2016 Summer Olympics, so you know what that means: Time to start speculating about which city is the favorite to host the Games of 2020!

Fourth-Place Medal ranks the five most likely host cities for the next, next, next Olympics. Each of the cities has, at some point, been rumored to be considering a bid for 2020.

1) Rome -- Rome 2020 has three things going for it: The IOC will want to get back to Europe after Rio de Janeiro, the Games haven't been in the city since 1960 and there are more Italian members of the IOC than any other country.

2) Minneapolis -- The story of the USOC/IOC rift is as overblown this week as it was under-blown last week. Yes, it mattered (we had been warning of this since last August), but it wasn't a bid-killer. There were a half-dozen reasons Chicago didn't get the Games and anti-American bias is just one them. The IOC is, was, and always will be Eurocentric. But it was Eurocentric when Atlanta got the 1996 Games and Eurocentric when Salt Lake City hosted in 2002. It's always a hurdle to overcome, but it can be done. And it will be done sooner rather than later. At some point the IOC is going to have to make some political concessions and come back to the United States. Both Minneapolis and Boston are said to be considering bids for 2020. We'd give the edge to Minneapolis since support from citizenry is a major factor in these things (CHICAGO) and we get the sense that Minnesota would rally behind something as unifying as an Olympic bid. (Little-known fact: Minneapolis finished second in the voting for the 1952 Olympics behind Helsinki.)

3) Madrid -- Always the dama de honor, never la novia.

4) Dubai/Doha -- We're lumping these two cities together (from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, respectively) because they both have the same pros and cons: The IOC has never gone to the Middle East and, as the Rio vote showed, the organization loves to try things for the first time. More importantly, both of these places are flush with oil money, so funding would be a breeze and the facilities would likely be the greatest the sports world has ever seen. But no amount of money can change the weather, and the 100+ degree average temperatures in these cities in July, August and September make holding outdoor events an impossibility. Yes, they could build climate-controlled domes, but I doubt the IOC would go for that. And what about events that have to be outside like the marathon, rowing, long-distance walking and beach volleyball?

5) Toronto -- All the benefits of the United States without the need to capitulate to the USOC.

Not on the list: Birmingham (seriously, the mayor wants to make a bid) ... Tulsa (see: Birmingham) ... Guadalajara (IOC isn't going to Latin America twice in a row) ... St. Petersburg ... Cape Town (this will happen one day, but the fear of back-to-back southern hemisphere Olympics will prevent it from going down in 2020).

A rather s--t list and likely not the five I would include but whatever......

I also read this online and think this is the best thread for it. I would fully support this and hope they enact such a measure in order to regain some credibility and dignity of what the Olympics is supposed to represent.


http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=ap-ioc-congress-notebook&prov=ap&type=lgns

IOC asked to monitor Olympic hosts’ human rights
By GRAHAM DUNBAR, AP Sports Writer
Oct 4, 3:19 pm EDT

COPENHAGEN (AP)—Human Rights Watch is asking the International Olympic Committee to create a permanent mechanism to monitor human rights in Olympic host countries—before, during and after the games.

The New York-based group has been highly critical of the rights abuses that occurred in China before, during and in the wake of last year’s Beijing Olympics.

They included the imprisonment and harassment of dissidents, censorship and Internet restrictions, forced evictions to make space for Olympic venues, and the crushing of protests in Tibet.

The group is now warning of potential abuses in Russia as the country readies for the Sochi Winter games in 2014.

“Everyone in this room should know that there have already been death threats against journalists who are reporting on Sochi preparations,” Minky Worden, media director for Human Rights Watch, said during a debate Sunday at the International Olympic Committee’s Congress in Copenhagen.

“Host countries which violate human rights contravene the spirit and the letter of the Olympic Charter,” she said. “We hope that the IOC and members of the Olympic movement could work with members of the human rights community as we seek to turn (IOC president) Jacques Rogge’s vision of the games as a force for good into reality.”

The group wants the IOC to prevent abuses by forming a permanent committee or similar body to monitor human rights in Olympic host nations.

.............Golf’s case is being pressed in person by Ty Votaw, the International Golf Federation’s executive director, and Peter Dawson, chief executive of Royal and Ancient club at St. Andrews.

Rugby sevens’ team is led by the International Rugby Board president Bernard Lapasset and secretary general Mike Miller.

Each sport will be put to a separate vote Friday with a simple majority required for approval.

In another election scheduled for Friday, Jaques Rogge, a former Belgium rugby international, will stand unopposed for a four-year term to continue as IOC president, and complete a mandate begun in 2001.

AP Sports Writer John Leceister contributed to this report.


http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=ap-humanrights&prov=ap&type=lgns
IOC says ready to learn from human rights groups
Oct 5,

COPENHAGEN (AP)—The International Olympic Committee says it wants to work with human rights groups to help it better understand how to protect human rights in sports.

Human rights campaigners criticized the IOC’s decision to award the 2008 games to Beijing and accused it of turning a blind eye to abuses that occurred before, during and after those games. The New York-based group Human Rights Watch has asked the IOC to create a permanent mechanism to monitor human rights in host countries.

IOC president Jacques Rogge said Monday that “we cannot be held responsible for everything that happens in the world. But when it comes within the sphere of sport, of course, we have that responsibility.”

“We are going to study what the best way is to handle this important aspect, where we have the responsibility to work for the respect of human dignity within the sphere of sport.”

“We are going to see how, first of all, we can get the best possible objective unbiased information,” he added. “The IOC is not expert in human rights. We will rely on the advice of human rights organizations, it can be Amnesty International, it can be Human Rights Watch, it can be others.”

My breakdown from the other thread.

Now, when considering possible US bids for 2020 one should consider which cities have the following:


A large GDP
Cultural cachet
A need for a new football/athletic stadium




One city that meets none of the criteria, but would be interesting, is Pittsburgh. Sure it's relatively poor, no one knows it internationally, and it doesn't need a stadium but it's topography would make for one beautiful Olympic Games.

As crazy as it sounds, it could just work. Pittsburgh, after all, just hosted the G20. As for the stadium and other venues, Pittsburgh does have several universities who could use them; I'll give one example:

The olympic stadium could be downsized after the games to a nice 55,000 - 60,000 stadium for Pitt's football team to use, they would just need to build it near campus.

I don't know why they think Minneapolis is such an attractive bid, it's in the Midwest not far from Chicago. And Chicago is clearly the better city to host the games. I also don't think Dubai is going to happen anytime soon, and Rome would be another European city. I somehow feel that IOC is obligated to pick a North American city before going back to Europe again.

As crazy as it sounds, it could just work. Pittsburgh, after all, just hosted the G20. As for the stadium and other venues, Pittsburgh does have several universities who could use them; I'll give one example:

The olympic stadium could be downsized after the games to a nice 55,000 - 60,000 stadium for Pitt's football team to use, they would just need to build it near campus.

Could Pittsburgh through local taxes or tapping the local business community find 50-100 million just to bid? Then if that bid were to win potentially billions of dollars to execute the vision if awarded.

Even for American cities that are capable and deserving the economics of the bid/hosting process is such a hurdle compared to other places.

Lisbon | Portugal

Could Pittsburgh through local taxes or tapping the local business community find 50-100 just to bid. Then if that bid were to win potentially billions of dollars to execute the vision if awarded.

Even for American cities that are capable and deserving the economics of the bid/hosting process is such a hurdle compared to other places.

Here are the major corporations based in and/or have a large presence in Pittsburgh (wikipedia) :

Large public companies:
Alcoa (Industrial)
Allegheny Energy (Energy)
American Eagle Outfitters (Retail/Consumer Goods)
Bayer USA (Medical)
Consol Energy (Energy)
Del Monte Foods (Retail/Consumer Goods)
Dick's Sporting Goods (Retail/Consumer Goods)
Eaton Corporation (Industrial; located in nearby Moon Township, Pennsylvania)
Equitable Resources (Energy)
Federated Investors (Financial)
FedEx Ground (Services)
Huntington Bancshares (Financial)
H. J. Heinz Company (Retail/Consumer Goods)
Lanxess Chemical (Industrial)
Mellon Financial Corporation (Financial)
Mylan Laboratories (Medical)
Nova Chemicals (Industrial)
PNC Financial Services (Financial)
PPG Industries (Industrial)
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Goods (Retail/Consumer Goods)
Thermo Fisher Scientific (Scientific/Chemical)
US Airways (Commercial Air Transportation)
U.S. Steel (Industrial)
WESCO International (Industrial)
Sony Technology Center (Retail/Consumer Goods)
Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel (Industrial)

Large private companies:
84 Lumber (Retail/Consumer Goods)
GNC (Retail/Consumer Goods)
Giant Eagle (Retail/Consumer Goods)

Other major companies:
Allegheny Technologies (Industrial)
American Thermoplastic Company (Industrial)
Ariba Software (formerly Freemarkets)
Bakery Barn (Food Manufacturing)
Bayer Corporation (Pharmaceutical)
BodyMedia (Wearable Body Monitoring)
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney (law firm)
Calgon Carbon Corporation (Industrial)
DQE (Energy)
ePeople, LLC
Fox Learning Systems (E-Learning)
Highmark (Financial)
Kennametal (Industrial; located in nearby Latrobe, Pennsylvania)
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart (law firm)
Laurel Networks or ECI Data Networking Division
Lycos Ventures
Management Science Associates
Medrad Inc. (Medical)
Mine Safety Appliances (Industrial)
National Steel
Oxford Development Company
Portec Rail Products, Inc.
Reed Smith LLP (law firm)
REI (retail)
Philips Respironics (Medical)
Rockwell International (Industrial)
Thorp, Reed & Armstrong, LLP (law firm)
UBICS (H1B Bodyshopping)
UPMC (medical)
Vocollect
Wabtec (located in nearby Wilmerding, Pennsylvania)
Westinghouse Electric Company (Industrial; located in nearby Monroeville, Pennsylvania, moving to Cranberry, Pennsylvania in 2009)

I'm sure from this pool of potential corporate supporters and also with some help from the state and a slight increase in certain taxes, Pittsburgh could stand it's own against other cities' bids which are supported by their national government.

Please moderator, do not put many cities from the same country separeted, like:

VENICE
ROME

MADRID
VALENCIA

CHICAGO
MINNEAPOLIS
BOSTON

BUT:

VENIXE/ROME - ITALY
MADRID/VALENCIA - SPAIN
CHICAGO/WHATEVER - USA
GUADALAJARA/MONTERREY - MEXICO

It is not fair! Only one city will be chosen by country and it will be interesting to see as the time goes by which city/country (continent) can beat other city/country (continent). At least till 2013!

Also it is good organize by CONTINENTS:

ASIA
EUROPE
AMERICAS
AFRICA
OCEANIA

Remember the ideal of changing continents!

2008 Beijing
2012 London
2016 Dubai
2020 Saint. Petersburg
2024 São Paulo

2024 - São Paulo - would be interesting, but impossible!
perhaps in 2032, 2036 ...

Lisbon or Istanbul

DEL

I can't understand why all the fuss about Madrid??? Barcelona held it in 1992. What makes Spain so special, that they would hold the Summer Olympics twice within 20 years, while many other important cities have never held it at all?

Eastern (Central) Europe has a big chance, since never before have a Summer Olympic games been held there. Still it is now part of EU and the economy is getting stronger every day.

In Eastern (Central) Europe lies Budapest - a city with big advantages.
First of all Budapest had initially been selected to host the Summer Olympics in 1920, but couldn't do so because of World War I. 2020 is exactly a 100 years later. Secondly, Hungary is the only country in the world, which is listed in the 10 top performing countries in the Olympic Games, but still have not hosted the Olympics! Add to this, that Budapest is an oversized city for the country, a country that has been sliced up and only a third were left for todays Hungary. So the size of the city is well within the limits for a S.O.G., and in my opinion the most suitable city in Eastern (Central) Europe.
Apart from this, many of the developments that need to be done in order to host the Olympic Games, must be done EITHER way, so it would not be that huge of an "extra" cost for the country as it may seem.

Budapest is a city that is extremely underrated, in many cases by people who have never even been there, or even know its history. I'd say its one of the most wrongfully underrated cities in the world.

I am 110% confident that Budapest has a VERY good chance of hosting the S.O.G. in 2020. However, I am also pretty confident in, that the city of Budapest and the ones responsible for the bid, will f**k it all up - as usual - therefore not even reaching final round.
The potential is there, it is HUGE, but it isn't worth a damn if that potential isn't utilized properly.



-

I can't understand why all the fuss about Madrid??? Barcelona held it in 1992. What makes Spain so special, that they would hold the Summer Olympics twice within 20 years, while many other important cities have never held it at all?

The United States held the Summer Olympics twice within 12 years: 1984 in Los Angeles, then 1996 in Atlanta. If that weren't enough they held the Winter Olympics in 1980 (Lake Placid) and again in 2002 (Salt Lake City). That's 4 Olympics in 22 years for the United States.

The US is slightly bigger than Spain. I get his point. Though I do wonder why he's so confident about Budapest when you look at how Prague did.

It's bigger, but 4 in 22 years is a lot for any nation. Spain getting it twice in 20 years isn't a big deal relative to that.

Canada, a relatively small nation, hosting a games three times over a 34 year span is a not a lot less controversial then the U.S. hosting four games over 22 years IMO.


I would also perfer to see another European nation get a SG before Spain. Perhaps France, Germany, or even Poland. I wouldn't mind Spain being the next European host for a winter games though seeing as they haven't held one.

I would also perfer to see another European nation get a SG before Spain. Perhaps France, Germany, or even Poland. I wouldn't mind Spain being the next European host for a winter games though seeing as they haven't held one.

Going back to the Europe, without going to Noth America first, is setting a bad example after the IOC just picked Rio and London is before that.

They'll give them to who they want; it's their party. Who exactly would they be setting a bad example to?

The thought of another US city is extremely boring to be honest.

And I, too, would love to know who it would be setting a bad example to :lol:

It's not fair, of course! They tried to be fair in picking Rio, now they need to hold up their set of the bargain to everyone else. It wouldn't be fair if they picked another European city after picking a European city in 2012.

^^ There is no "official" rotation policy hence there is no fair or unfair. Even though I think their is a vague notion of rotation at play among the IOC I don't think they feel duty bound to it when they have various other considerations at play as well. To some or many delegates they may very well look at the all America's as one and figure that Rio assumes that role well. It will come back to NA eventually, my guess is a NA city will be a frontrunner in 2024/2028 assuming one doesn't get 2020.



.......On the topic of rotational policy though (which I think I have read the IOC would like to implement eventualy) what makes the most sense for that rotation to be? I think their can only be either three or four in such a rotatoin. What makes the most sense......

3 rotation - Europe / Americas / Asia-Africa
3 rotation - Europe-Africa / Americas / Asia
3 rotation - Europe / Asia / Americas-Africa
4 rotation - Europe / North America / Asia / S.American-Africa
2 rotation - Europe-Asia / Americas-Africa

I would have to go with the - Europe / Americas / Asia-Africa I think.

Onn, many would say it wasn't fair to have the US hosting three games in 30 years. That is an equally silly argument, of course. As the post above says, there is no fair or unfair, only a vague adheration to continental rotation; though how these continents are defined and by whom is up for question.

Warsaw will host summer olympics games 2020. After euro 2012 we will have good infrastructure.

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news;_ylt=AqtycFC0htuSDde0NARS3bPNycIF?slug=ap-madrid-2020bid&prov=ap&type=lgns

Spanish Olympic Committee: No rush for 2020 bid

MADRID (AP)—Madrid will not rush to make a decision about bidding to host the 2020 Olympics.

Spanish Olympic Committee president Alejandro Blanco did not rule out a repeat run but called for patience Wednesday.

Blanco said: “Let’s reflect and think about it first. … If we have to go for it in ’20 we’ll go for it in ’20. If we have to go for it in ’24, we’ll go for it in ’24. We don’t want the Olympic flame to burn out, but we have to be conscious of when it should be our moment.”

Rio de Janeiro’s victory over the Spanish capital meant the games would go to South America for the first time.

Blanco believes an African contender could also emerge for 2020. Africa will be the only continent not to have been awarded the games.

..

Project "New Petersburg", Russia.

hQdD91E4XtI

From 2:04 - 1st island will be used for Olympic Village. 6,000,000 square metres of ground will be filled in 2014-2017. Total area - 10,000,000 square metres.

I can't understand why all the fuss about Madrid??? while many other important cities have never held it at all?



Has Madrid ever hosted Olympics? :ohno:

The Portuguese Olimpic Commitee, already has presented the projects of the city?

I don't think they will go back to Europeyet in 2020 after London just 8 years earlier. I also don't think North America has a big chance, as this would mean two consecutive games in the Americas.

My bet is on either:
- South Africa (could be either Durban or Cape Town)
- South East Asia (Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur)

The US is slightly bigger than Spain. I get his point. Though I do wonder why he's so confident about Budapest when you look at how Prague did.

Thanks for getting the point there.

Why I am so confident about Budapest, when Prague didn't cut it? Well, as I explained in my earlier post. Budapest have many advantages that Prage doesn't have. HOWEVER, as I also wrote, it doesn't matter what advantages Budapest have, if the bid they make is worthless. They have to be smart, they have to do it very right from the beginning, to have a chance.

It is a bit like selling a product. It doesn't matter how good a product is if the salesman is a worthless seller. However, a good salesman could sell the worst crap if he was good and determined.

If Budapest can't sell their bid because they're worthless salesmen, it doesn't really matter what advantages Budapest have over say Prague or Warsaw or whatever other city.

I hope you get my point on this one :)

It's bigger, but 4 in 22 years is a lot for any nation. Spain getting it twice in 20 years isn't a big deal relative to that.

Does only one person get my point? I quote myself:


What makes Spain so special, that they would hold the Summer Olympics twice within 20 years, while many other important cities have never held it at all?

I hope you understand what I mean this time.

I read something about the IOC clearly having a major preference for the biggest city of a country nowadays, not caring a lot about medium sized cities even if they have good bids.

Has Madrid ever hosted Olympics? :ohno:

No, but Spain have perhaps? :ohno:


Is this so extremely hard to understand?

It's like saying. Why give food to every person in this air-raid shelter, while half of these people could instead eat twice the portion?, ...no matter if the other half dies of hunger.

Maybe some of the countries should SHARE? Of course everyone wants it, which is a natural thing. IOC should be concentrated on spreading it a little more, not giving the games to the same countries over and over again, in many cases.

If someone have trouble understanding what I mean, I would REALLY, I mean, R E A L L Y not want to sit in an air-raid shelter with food shortage, with that person!

If a city CAN host the bid, so let them! And I don't mean that IOC should give the games to cities that never held it, just to disperse. I just mean it should be prioritized IF possible. But what I mean foremost, is that I can't understand people voting for the same countries over and over again. Even people who doesn't even live in the country in question, neither have anything to do with the country.

But of course, some people like to eat the same dish time after time, never dare trying something new.

No, but Spain have perhaps? :ohno:


Is this so extremely hard to understand?

It's like saying. Why give food to every person in this air-raid shelter, while half of these people could instead eat twice the portion?, ...no matter if the other half dies of hunger.

Maybe some of the countries should SHARE? Of course everyone wants it, which is a natural thing. IOC should be concentrated on spreading it a little more, not giving the games to the same countries over and over again, in many cases.

If someone have trouble understanding what I mean, I would REALLY, I mean, R E A L L Y not want to sit in an air-raid shelter with food shortage, with that person!

If a city CAN host the bid, so let them! And I don't mean that IOC should give the games to cities that never held it, just to disperse. I just mean it should be prioritized IF possible. But what I mean foremost, is that I can't understand people voting for the same countries over and over again. Even people who doesn't even live in the country in question, neither have anything to do with the country.

But of course, some people like to eat the same dish time after time, never dare trying something new.

I just don't get the point why on Earth are you explaining all that arguments to criticize the fact that Madrid, or a Spanish city bid! lots of countries get more OG than Spain, which has only one!, i agree with you it should be more spread all over the world, but you can't attack that way a country :lol: while others actually GET the Games, it's ridiculous man!

If you want OG, then just bid! and prove your bid is good enough to compete strong, this is survivor race, not a monastery plenty of kind monks...

I don't think they will go back to Europeyet in 2020 after London just 8 years earlier. I also don't think North America has a big chance, as this would mean two consecutive games in the Americas.

My bet is on either:
- South Africa (could be either Durban or Cape Town)
- South East Asia (Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur)

i AGREE.. SO, CITIES IN THE AMERICAS AND EUROPE WILL NOT GET THE BID

Do the OG in South America makes it harder for North American cities to get them?

That doesn't make sense.

^^Same continent, nothing else to be said.

Except things are never that simple. I'm not ruling out the US for 2020 if they put in a gerat bid.

___________________________________________________________________
http://www.irishtimes.com/images/v3/generic/irishtimes-logo.gif


It will be a long time before another leading American politician will take the risk which Barack Obama took last Friday. Probably even longer before we see a summer games going to the USA. Having opened up South America to the Games the IOC will be sweet on the idea of doing the same with Africa and Cape Town is the early favourite for 2020.


Bleacherreport.com




And the only thing that needs to be done is a city like Cape Town to finally get their shot and have the Games come to Africa.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/img/global/tol-logo-222x25.gif


The most intriguing scenario is that perhaps an African city, heartened by the achievement of Rio de Janeiro, will now try to bring the world’s biggest sporting event to the one continent that has never staged it.


South Africa might be stimulated after the 2010 World Cup to put forward a city, probably Cape Town, for 2020.


SportsofBoston.com

Many members of the IOC have stated that an African country should get the games, thus having all inhabited continents having hosted the games. Even though Morocco is looking into the games, the front runner for the 2020 games will be Cape Town, South Africa. Next year’s World Cup will be a deciding factor in South Africa’s chances. Paris, Madrid, and possibly Chicago and New York will also hurt Boston’s chance.

I read something about the IOC clearly having a major preference for the biggest city of a country nowadays, not caring a lot about medium sized cities even if they have good bids.

There may be something to that in some cases with some nations. However I don't think it is a "rule" given that it surely wasn't the case for Rio (Sao Paulo is bigger), Beijing (Shanghai is bigger), and if we talk about a future South Africa bid for instance then means Johannesburg would be preferred over Cape Town or Durban I think, which is a bit hard to believe.

^^Same continent, nothing else to be said.

America is treated as one continent. The five Olympic rings represent each or Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia, and America. Despite that, the IOC probably wouldn't view it as a huge negative having 2 successive Summer Olympics there, as long as the next one after Rio is in the northern half.

The Bids Champions!!


Los Angeles bidded for 9 times!!

Here the List:

Los Angeles 9 (1924,1928,1932,1948,1952,1956,1976,1980,1984)
Detroit 7 (1944,1952,1956,1960,1964,1968,1972)
Amsterdam 6 (1916,1920,1924,1928,1952,1992)
Rome 6 (1908,1924,1936,1944,1960,2004)
Budapest 5 (1916,1920,1936,1944,1960)
Paris 5 (1900,1924,1992,2008,2012)
Istanbul 4 (2000,2004,2008,2012)
Tokyo 4 (1940,1960,1964,2016)
Rio de Janeiro 4 (1936,2004,2012,2016)
Buenos Aires 4 (1936,1956,1968,2004)
Lausanne 4 (1936,1944,1948,1960)
Helsinki 4 (1936,1940,1944,1952)
Philadelphia 4 (1920,1948,1952,1956)
London 4 (1908,1944,1948,2012)
Berlin 4 (1908,1916,1936,2000)
Athens 4 (1896,1944,1996,2004)
Chicago 4 (1904, 1952, 1956, 2016)

The Bids Champions!!


Los Angeles bidded for 9 times!!

Here the List:

Los Angeles 9 (1924,1928,1932,1948,1952,1956,1976,1980,1984)
Detroit 7 (1944,1952,1956,1960,1964,1968,1972)
Amsterdam 6 (1916,1920,1924,1928,1952,1992)
Rome 6 (1908,1924,1936,1944,1960,2004)
Budapest 5 (1916,1920,1936,1944,1960)
Paris 5 (1900,1924,1992,2008,2012)
Istanbul 4 (2000,2004,2008,2012)
Tokyo 4 (1940,1960,1964,2016)
Rio de Janeiro 4 (1936,2004,2012,2016)
Buenos Aires 4 (1936,1956,1968,2004)
Lausanne 4 (1936,1944,1948,1960)
Helsinki 4 (1936,1940,1944,1952)
Philadelphia 4 (1920,1948,1952,1956)
London 4 (1908,1944,1948,2012)
Berlin 4 (1908,1916,1936,2000)
Athens 4 (1896,1944,1996,2004)

Poor Detroit, 7 in a row.. without getting it!

The Bids Champions!!


Los Angeles bidded for 9 times!!

Here the List:

Los Angeles 9 (1924,1928,1932,1948,1952,1956,1976,1980,1984)
Detroit 7 (1944,1952,1956,1960,1964,1968,1972)
Amsterdam 6 (1916,1920,1924,1928,1952,1992)
Rome 6 (1908,1924,1936,1944,1960,2004)
Budapest 5 (1916,1920,1936,1944,1960)
Paris 5 (1900,1924,1992,2008,2012)
Istanbul 4 (2000,2004,2008,2012)
Tokyo 4 (1940,1960,1964,2016)
Rio de Janeiro 4 (1936,2004,2012,2016)
Buenos Aires 4 (1936,1956,1968,2004)
Lausanne 4 (1936,1944,1948,1960)
Helsinki 4 (1936,1940,1944,1952)
Philadelphia 4 (1920,1948,1952,1956)
London 4 (1908,1944,1948,2012)
Berlin 4 (1908,1916,1936,2000)
Athens 4 (1896,1944,1996,2004)

Good list :cheers:

I think Chicago hast at least four as well (1904, 1952, 1956, 2016)

It is also pretty surprsing how few times NYC has attempted.

Good list :cheers:

I think Chicago hast at least four as well (1904, 1952, 1956, 2016)

yeah, you are right

I would like to see 2020 Olympics in Warsaw. :) By then, Poland will definitely have the sports infrastructure capabilities it needs.

Poor Detroit, 7 in a row.. without getting it!

There are good reasons Detroit has never been picked, I don't know who that was ever a good idea. :lol:

I just cant undersand why SF just bidded once!! For me is the perfect american city to host it

2000- Australia/ Oceania
2004- Europe
2008- Asia
2012- Europe
2016- South America


2020- ???

It's Our Time!

GO TORONTO!!!
The World Lives in T.O.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa......
2010 World Cup South Africa
2020 Olympics South Africa

Its time South Africa should shine.

2000- Australia/ Oceania
2004- Europe
2008- Asia
2012- Europe
2016- South America


2020- ???


Seems like the game in 2020 might goes to Africa! In 20 year of the new millenium is such a perfect to the world! Let the world plays the game not the game plays the world :)

it will depend on the cities' bids.

Rio won because of an excellent bid and backed by the fact that the Olympics hasn't been staged in that continent yet.

If Rio's bid wasn't excellent, then the Olympics would have been awarded to another city.

Bangkok will be ready in 2024 or 2028 for the next Asian City.

We have many experience of world games host in Thailand.

http://i38.************/fayh6g.jpg

http://i33.************/2q3n7d4.jpg

http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo22/gustavoalmeida1984/Lisboa-lisbon-_panorama.jpg


http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/7587/cop.png (http://img183.imageshack.us/i/cop.png/)



:D

For me: 2020=Europe (counting on an Istambul candidacy), 2024 = Africa. Hope Cape Town gets the 2024 games :cheers:

For me: 2020=Europe (counting on an Istambul candidacy), 2024 = Africa. Hope Cape Town gets the 2024 games :cheers:

Then Eastern Europe to be exactly. It's never hosted full featured summer olympic games.

Don't know if IStanbul will ever get the Olympics but i am sure we will break the record of LA :D

You have no clue what your talking about with any of those cities.

What did I get wrong?

How is SF anti-sport?

San Francisco tried to stop the construction of a 100% privately financed ballpark even though they knew it would, and subsequently did, revitalize a whole section of the city. I can't even imagine what kind of opposition the hippy and coffee house crowd would put up to a publicly funded Olympic Stadium. Frankly I'm surprised they haven't torn out Kezar Stadium and turned it into a tribute to Pol Pot or something.

I just don't get the point why on Earth are you explaining all that arguments to criticize the fact that Madrid, or a Spanish city bid! lots of countries get more OG than Spain, which has only one!, i agree with you it should be more spread all over the world, but you can't attack that way a country :lol: while others actually GET the Games, it's ridiculous man!

If you want OG, then just bid! and prove your bid is good enough to compete strong, this is survivor race, not a monastery plenty of kind monks...

Spain and Madrid was only an example dear! And I took that example since I hear "Madrid" very often. It could've been some other city as well.

The United States held the Summer Olympics twice within 12 years: 1984 in Los Angeles, then 1996 in Atlanta. If that weren't enough they held the Winter Olympics in 1980 (Lake Placid) and again in 2002 (Salt Lake City). That's 4 Olympics in 22 years for the United States.

thats because the USA is just awsome like that.. :cheers:

maybe 2020 can start a new string of 4 in 22 :banana:

2000- Australia/ Oceania
2004- Europe
2008- Asia
2012- Europe
2016- South America


2020- ???

It's Our Time!

GO TORONTO!!!
The World Lives in T.O.

I second that. Go Toronto!:cheers:

What did I get wrong?



San Francisco tried to stop the construction of a 100% privately financed ballpark even though they knew it would, and subsequently did, revitalize a whole section of the city. I can't even imagine what kind of opposition the hippy and coffee house crowd would put up to a publicly funded Olympic Stadium. Frankly I'm surprised they haven't torn out Kezar Stadium and turned it into a tribute to Pol Pot or something.

Like this?
http://farm3.static.flickr an.com/2254/2976933816_6d4d2c4e6a_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1337/766996925_dabb8e7dea_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/52/190083191_f48d106842_o.jpg

That sentence about AT&T is bull and you know it. I thought you conservatives were too busy in KKK hoods to like sports? And anyways, all those hippie places seem to love sports more than any conservative place. Boston, Ann Arbor, Madison, Austin, NYC, etc.

^^^ reported

Like this?
[ And anyways, all those hippie places seem to love sports more than any conservative place. Boston, Ann Arbor, Madison, Austin, NYC, etc.

Gainesville, Baton Rouge, Lexington, Chapel Hill,..........

^^^ reported

And the Pol Pot comment gets a pass??

Here's an idea to minimize risky and expensive bids from cities that have little chance to win based on previous game locations and to limit the strong European bias of the IOC.

I suggest that there be a set rotation for the Summer Olympic Games by continent:

- North America
- Asia
- Europe
- South America/Africa/Australia
- Open to all

If the idea is to be fair and spread the games out, there needs to be some agreed-upon rules so cities that have no chance do not waste time and money bidding. It will also limit the block voting that manifests itself in results that many perceive as unfair.

South America, Africa and Australia are grouped because they do not currently have as many resources to host individually. The "open to all" slot would allow cities in those three continents to make their case for an extra Olympics in their area.

Remember also that North America does not mean just the U.S. and Canada but includes Mexico, and the Carribean and Central American nations as well. The U.S. need not dominate that slot.