Official 2012 Olympics Thread

[SIR90210]

I'm so excited. Tomorrow at 7:30 AM EST, the IOC is going to announce the host city of the 2012 Summer Olympics. The five competing cities are (in alphabetical order) London, Madrid, Moscow, New York City, and Paris. Looking at my avatar, seeing who I support shouldn't be too difficult. This is an invite to everyone to post who you support, ask any questions about the race, post updates, etc. Let the games begin!

NYC 2012

 

[Aurora_25]

I really don't have a preference, but wouldn't NYC be a little crowded to have the Olimpics there? I mean, Maybe I am totally off and wrong- I just know that the few times I have been there- everything seems really crowded and confusing to me- and that was at a "normal" time...

Like I said, maybe I am wrong and just don't know enough about the city itself.

 

[barnum42]

Whilst I've not been following it closely, I think the favourite is still Paris, possibly as I'm from England and so London does not seem as "glamorous" for want of a better description.

Spain and Russia have hosted the games comparatively recently, and though there are some serious doubts about New York, there are enough crooked corporate fat cats in America with bulging purses out to make a bundle that I'm sure if any place can buy the favour of the judges over any other bid it's going to be from America.

I don't say this to belittle the city or the nation, just it's the sad fact of greed, money and power of a select few will end up being more important than all else.

 

[SIR90210]

I really don't have a preference, but wouldn't NYC be a little crowded to have the Olimpics there? I mean, Maybe I am totally off and wrong- I just know that the few times I have been there- everything seems really crowded and confusing to me- and that was at a "normal" time...

Like I said, maybe I am wrong and just don't know enough about the city itself.

No one's going to be using the streets, it's all Subway and ferries. Besides, most of the stuff will be outside of Manhattan, thus less crowded.

 

[pat in the hat]

I'm sure that there are plenty of crooked politicians and business people to be found all around the globe; afterall, greed speaks a universal language!

But here's hoping that everything runs on the up-and-up! Can't wait to hear the announcement . . . I love the Olympics . . . was lucky enough to go to the summer Olympics in Atlanta! :sohappy:

 

[SIR90210]

I'm sure that there are plenty of crooked politicians and business people to be found all around the globe; afterall, greed speaks a universal language!

But here's hoping that everything runs on the up-and-up! Can't wait to hear the announcement . . . I love the Olympics . . . was lucky enough to go to the summer Olympics in Atlanta! :sohappy:

Lucky! Those were the first Olympics I remember, and only because my mom got one of the first Izzy t-shirts. At that point I was completely convinved Chicago (where I was living at the time) HAD to host the next Olympics.

 

[barnum42]

I'm sure that there are plenty of crooked politicians and business people to be found all around the globe; afterall, greed speaks a universal language!

Indeed, but one suspects that there is a lot more money to be used for bribery from American crooks than any of the European crooks.

 

[CaptainMichael]

I'd like to see either New York or London get the Olympics.

 

[dandaman]

Let's talk about Canada 2010 in Vancouver instead... :lookaroun

 

[Pippa]

London, London, London!!!!!!!!

If we get the games I will be bombarding the organisers (watch out Lord Coe!) to use the Classical Greek Dance Association in the opening/closing ceremonies. Considering a british woman, Ruby Ginner MBE, devised classical Greek dance I think it would be a nice UK/Greek link with the ancient and modern games.

Yes, yes I know I am a geek

 

[ogryn]

I hope Chirac has scuppered the French bid :lookaroun

 

[Fantasmic!329]

Go NYC!!!
Let me go make an avatar, hadn't gotten the chance yet.
EDIT: Done.

 

[pat in the hat]

Indeed, but one suspects that there is a lot more money to be used for bribery from American crooks than any of the European crooks.

Depends upon which ones are considered crooks
About 1/2 of the world's top 20 wealthiest are not from the U.S. . . . there is a lot of wealth closely held in some relatively small countries!

Citius, Altius, Fortius! Let the games be awarded justly!

 

[SIR90210]

Depends upon which ones are considered crooks
About 1/2 of the world's top 20 wealthiest are not from the U.S. . . . there is a lot of wealth closely held in some relatively small countries!

But then about half are. I think what Barnum is saying is that because America is so much larger than Britain, Frace, Russia, or Spain, it has more crooked businesspeople. And yes, I said people because there are a few women who jump to mind... :zipit:

 

[Figment1986]

well. lets see.. Ney york beat out Tampa for the bid... which aint that bad... Tampa got super bowl in a few years again....

now lets see if New York wins the games....

 

[barnum42]

Citius, Altius, Fortius! Let the games be awarded justly!

I certainly hope so, but being the sceptical Englishman I am......

 

[Shaman]

I for one would be happy with whoever wins...

But if I had to pick, I would like to see either Madrid or Paris win, before New York...

*shrugs*

 

[artvandelay]

Whilst I've not been following it closely, I think the favourite is still Paris, possibly as I'm from England and so London does not seem as "glamorous" for want of a better description.

Spain and Russia have hosted the games comparatively recently, and though there are some serious doubts about New York, there are enough crooked corporate fat cats in America with bulging purses out to make a bundle that I'm sure if any place can buy the favour of the judges over any other bid it's going to be from America.

I don't say this to belittle the city or the nation, just it's the sad fact of greed, money and power of a select few will end up being more important than all else.

Crooked fat cats like IBM, McDonald's, NBC, and Coca Cola who have given billions to the Olympic games over the years. All of that money has let the Olympic games grow and include more sports, more sports for women, and more countries to participate. Just a different look at it.

 

[speck76]

My judgement on the report of finalist cities.

Paris...#1 option, offering the best total package

London...#2 option, but very close to Paris.....has a great package.

Madrid....#3 option, offers a great package (and Barcelona went so well)

NY...not a strong option, as too much is up in the air. Also, NY would use a bunch of older facilities, which is not preferred

Moscow....no chance at all

I think it will be Paris, but London could squeeze in too

As for NY....I do not believe it was the best option for the USA to present.

 

[artvandelay]

I think Paris is going to win, but NYC has a chance. Paris and London's negative is that Europe had the 2004 Summer Olympics (Athens) and has the 2006 Winter Olympics (Italy). The IOC usually likes to spread it out across the continents. The US hasn't had a Summer Games since 1996 (Atlanta) and a Winter Games since 2002 (Salt Lake). A negative for the NY bid is that Vancouver has the 2010 Winter games.

Moscow has no chance. Spain had a Summer Games in 1992 (Barcelona) and would not get a chance before Paris or London.

My prediction is that Paris will get the games and NYC will get the 2016 games. NYC's plan is great and will probably be resubmitted in four years w/o a lot of changes.