Who Will Get the Olympics?
- Thread starter William Haskins
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If there's justice in the world, it'll be Rio, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if Chicago won.
probably not Chicago - the recent deadly beating of a teen (and no one willing to say anything due to that old "code of silence" thing) has definitely put a damper on a lot of things about the old town.
I think it's the killer for the bid.
even with Obama there.
I think it's the killer for the bid.
even with Obama there.
some context:
last time chicago hosted: never
the last games hosted in the US: 1996 (atlanta)
total number of US-hosted games: 4
last time madrid hosted: never
the last games hosted in spain: 1992 (barcelona)
total number of spain-hosted games: 1
last time rio hosted: never
the last games hosted in brazil: never
total number of brazil-hosted games (or south america, for that matter): 0
last time tokyo hosted: 1964
the last games hosted in japan: 1964 (tokyo)
total number of japan-hosted games: 1
last time chicago hosted: never
the last games hosted in the US: 1996 (atlanta)
total number of US-hosted games: 4
last time madrid hosted: never
the last games hosted in spain: 1992 (barcelona)
total number of spain-hosted games: 1
last time rio hosted: never
the last games hosted in brazil: never
total number of brazil-hosted games (or south america, for that matter): 0
last time tokyo hosted: 1964
the last games hosted in japan: 1964 (tokyo)
total number of japan-hosted games: 1
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I'd like to see Rio host and give a boost to Brazil's economy. But security concerns might see the Olympics in Tokyo instead. Brazil is still a poor nation with a fairly corrupt police force and a thriving drug trade.
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I have Canadian friends who lived in the US for a while, then the far east, moved to Mexico, and are currently touring South America. They're up on being where it's at, so I voted for Rio.
Hope it goes to Rio... but this will really be a testament as to whether or not the world is behind Obama. I know he thinks he transcends American politics but I personally think the world has set this guy up for an epic fail. Again, Obama seems intent on expending political capital on worthless pursuits.
In what way? If the world's behind Obama, the Olympics will automatically go to Chicago; is that what you mean?
I'm not sure the rest of the world is as obsessed with Obama as the US is, or as the US believes the world to be.
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I don't think the choice has anything whatsoever to do with Obama or if the world is behind him or not.
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Indeed. As a Chicago "celebrity" it made sense to Obama as part of the presentation, but that is the extent of his involvement.
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If you guys haven't read nighttimer's opinion piece on this, you should.
It's a good way to help christen the Soapbox SYW forum too.
It's a good way to help christen the Soapbox SYW forum too.
This is not a "celebrity" this is the leader of the free world and the President of the United States. This is the first president to ever do such a thing. This is just more of Obama being Obama, just like his stunt at the UN last week. If this was about "celebrity", Michelle and Oprah would have been sufficient.
No, not necessarily. I believe there is far more to lose than to gain for Obama and I think this was another blunder on his part.
Granted I'm no political junkie, but I didn't even know Obama was in any way involved in the US's Olympic bid and I'd bet neither do a lot of people who aren't on the Olympic committee.
I'm your neighbour but I manage to go days in a row without giving a single thought to Obama, the Leader Of The Free World, as you say. I live in the free world but don't consider him my leader.
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totally agree.
he's overestimating the degree to which he and michelle are the global toast of the town.
I think your overestimating the degree to which anyone outside the US cares.