11/23/24
October 02, 2009
Rio De Janeiro Awarded 2016 Olympics: The 2016 Summer Olympics have been awarded to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -- the first time the games will be held in South America. The other cities in the running were Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo.
Doesn't that go on all the time? I assumed that was why they picked Rio.
posted by bender at 01:32 PM on October 02, 2009
The early call on this was made right here. We could have saved the President a trip overseas.
posted by beaverboard at 01:38 PM on October 02, 2009
Cue the Duran Duran . . .
posted by geekyguy at 01:42 PM on October 02, 2009
The news about Chicago coming in fourth in the voting is the part I don't get. What a shocker.
It's just as well. Can you imagine how stunned Chicagoans would be to see tons of new Olympic projects sprouting up all over the place, and the graft money going into the pockets of guys from Lagos and Bucharest instead of to local people with ties to Blagojevich and Rostenkowski?
Also, someone on the IOC didn't want to find out the hard way that Jimmy Hoffa is buried along the lake down near the Navy Pier instead of at Giants Stadium.
posted by beaverboard at 01:51 PM on October 02, 2009
The news about Chicago coming in fourth in the voting is the part I don't get.
Racism. Just racism. The Olympic committee is all a bunch of racists.
posted by graymatters at 02:03 PM on October 02, 2009
It's because we sent Oprah. We should have sent Chuck Norris.
posted by smithnyiu at 02:11 PM on October 02, 2009
Don't look for any members of the IOC to be guests on Oprah anytime soon.
I can't believe that the President actually wasted his time just to try to pay off some political debts. (Please note that one of his senior advisers is closely connected with real estate development companies in Chicago.)
posted by Howard_T at 02:28 PM on October 02, 2009
Fuckin' Chuck Norris.
posted by JJ at 02:35 PM on October 02, 2009
How about we give Chuck a Mountain Dew and send him to Washington? Racism, LMAO
posted by volfire at 02:57 PM on October 02, 2009
Well I like the idea of the Olympics taking place in Rio. I'm all for cut-aways on the networks to practically naked, tanned, athletic, dancing South American women as opposed to Karl Schlumpweth's Sausage Emporium. Tasty kielbasa notwithstanding.
Although, come to think of it, I AM craving an Italian beef or Lou Manatti's. I feel so dirty.
posted by THX-1138 at 03:17 PM on October 02, 2009
I can't believe that the President actually wasted his time just to try to pay off some political debts. (Please note that one of his senior advisers is closely connected with real estate development companies in Chicago.)
Maybe next time he should just appoint the advisor to some post where he wouldn't cause any trouble....like running FEMA.
posted by cjets at 03:45 PM on October 02, 2009
How is it a waste of time for the president to campaign for a U.S. city to host the Olympics? If he hadn't done anything to help, he'd be getting blamed for this decision not going our way.
I don't get the partisanship in how this news has been received. It should be a point of pride for all Americans to get the Olympics. I don't recall past selections being received as good for one party and bad for the other.
posted by rcade at 04:07 PM on October 02, 2009
This president is just like all the others, and frankly made a dumb move (one of many). Chicago was in the running but as soon as the President and his wife got involved it ruined it for Chicago.
First, it was obvious he was involved due to being from Chicago and had political debts to pay as well as a personal agenda.
Second, as a candidate who pleged to restore the favorable impression of America with foreign countrys, didn't he see how the committee would take his attempt as pushy and another example of America trying to influence foreign policies and decisions. They made Chicago not the first or second choice as thought, but fourth and last in this case to send a message that they will not be influenced into a decision by an American President.
posted by Atheist at 04:21 PM on October 02, 2009
so I guess we can't blame this on the Bush legacy?
posted by volfire at 04:23 PM on October 02, 2009
This president is just like all the others, and frankly made a dumb move (one of many). Chicago was in the running but as soon as the President and his wife got involved it ruined it for Chicago.
First, it was obvious he was involved due to being from Chicago and had political debts to pay as well as a personal agenda.
You want to provide a cite, a quote from the IOC or other foreign leader for your astute political analysis? Or should we just take your word for it?
posted by cjets at 04:34 PM on October 02, 2009
I can't believe that the President actually wasted his time just to try to pay off some political debts.
Hahahahaha, that's really funny, I like that.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 04:44 PM on October 02, 2009
as a candidate who pleged to restore the favorable impression of America with foreign countrys,
And though I'm not thrilled with some of his domestic policy decisions, I think he has done much to restore our standing in the international community.
I'll admit, given his predecessor, that's not too difficult a task.
posted by cjets at 04:44 PM on October 02, 2009
so I guess we can't blame this on the Bush legacy?
Don't worry. The present administration will find some way to blame Bush. It's always his fault.
posted by graymatters at 04:47 PM on October 02, 2009
It should be a point of pride for all Americans to get the Olympics.
Maybe in the past. Let Brazil have 'em, I don't want 'em, the expenses and security problems are not worth any return (especially economically) any city may expect to recieve. We've hosted more than our share, and the entire South American continent has never hosted one, so let them have a go at it. In fact, I hope we never host them again, the meaning of the games just ain't what it used to be.
posted by mjkredliner at 05:16 PM on October 02, 2009
Has anyone looked at the crime statistics for Rio in particular and Brasil in general? I'm amazed that it didn't come up in the discussion about it's selection.
posted by irunfromclones at 05:19 PM on October 02, 2009
Second, as a candidate who pleged to restore the favorable impression of America with foreign countrys, didn't he see how the committee would take his attempt as pushy and another example of America trying to influence foreign policies and decisions.
Somehow this only applies to our President. The President of Brazil also was there giving a speech for the same purpose.
posted by bperk at 05:23 PM on October 02, 2009
graymatter: eponycontradictory?
posted by joelisboa at 05:28 PM on October 02, 2009
Also: if a white prez does it, it's cool. But it's racist for me to point that out. Also: too.
posted by joelisboa at 05:28 PM on October 02, 2009
As was the PM of Japan.
posted by cl at 05:33 PM on October 02, 2009
I can't believe that the President actually wasted his time just to try to pay off some political debts. (Please note that one of his senior advisers is closely connected with real estate development companies in Chicago.)
Like, say, the previous Vice President didn't have close connections to companies that got multi-billion dollar no-bid contracts and more? Please, Howard, if you want to make meaningful assertions, try to have some facts and not just flimsy implied guilt by association.
And as I read the president of Brazil was on scene, as were top politicos from Spain and Japan. Heck, former IOC prez Samaranch asked the voters to award the games to Spain more or less as a reward for his service to the organization.
posted by billsaysthis at 05:40 PM on October 02, 2009
I doubt Obama's last minute visit did much good or bad. That its being spun by the right isn't surprising. The left would do the same.
They made Chicago not the first or second choice as thought, but fourth and last in this case to send a message that they will not be influenced into a decision by an American President. posted by Atheist
The ability for you to get in the mind of the voters and understand their reasoning is amazing Atheist. You should get a TV show or something.
posted by justgary at 05:47 PM on October 02, 2009
Has anyone looked at the crime statistics for Rio in particular and Brasil in general? I'm amazed that it didn't come up in the discussion about it's selection.
But couldn't you say the same about Chicago? In 2008, Chicago had more murders than New York or L.A.
Kevin Powell makes some excellent points in my least favorite blog of all time.
That's a debate worth having. Not these ridiculous charges of cronyism.
posted by cjets at 05:54 PM on October 02, 2009
At least beach volleyball will return to its spiritual home.
posted by owlhouse at 06:12 PM on October 02, 2009
The female beach volleyball competitors are going to be way overdressed down there. They'll look like they're wearing burkhas compared to the locals.
Sun worshipers in Rio only have only tan line and the only one who gets to see it is the Ti-D-Bowl man.
posted by beaverboard at 06:28 PM on October 02, 2009
In 2008, Chicago had more murders than New York or L.A.
Despite its charm and beauty, Rio is reputed to be one of the most violent cities in the world. Much of the violent crime is concentrated in the favelas or shantytowns but it also spills into middle- and upper-income neighborhoods. In Rio, unlike other major cities, many of the slums are directly adjacent to some of the wealthiest areas of the city.
As of 2007, the homicide rate of the greater metropolitan area stood at nearly 30 victims per week, with the majority of victims falling to mugging, stray bullets or narcoterrorism. In 2006, 2,273 people were murdered in the city giving it a murder rate of 37.7 cases for every 100,000 people.
posted by irunfromclones at 06:56 PM on October 02, 2009
rcade...when was the last time an American President flew to Europe (or anywhere for that matter) to lobby for the games in the USA???
posted by wildbill1 at 07:06 PM on October 02, 2009
rcade...when was the last time an American President flew to Europe (or anywhere for that matter) to lobby for the games in the USA???
When was the last time the Prime Minister of Japan did it? Or the President of Brazil?
Maybe we should have sent Glenn Beck. That would have set the fo-ree-ners straight.
posted by THX-1138 at 07:23 PM on October 02, 2009
rcade I don't support the governemnts of Japan or Brazil with my tax dollars so that's a moot point...and why did you bring up Glenn Beck? Did he lobby for NYC?
posted by wildbill1 at 07:30 PM on October 02, 2009
Just so's you all know, the US of A never had a chance. The totally corrupt international IOC hates the far less corrupt US IOC. Our bribes don't come close to the standards set by the international IOC. Even Chicago's gangster Mayor Daley couldn't compete with the true international mafia. We're still babes-in-arms when it comes to worldwide graft. Even ACORN couldn't prepare our president to deal with these thugs.
posted by pullmyfinger at 07:48 PM on October 02, 2009
Japan? Brasil? ACORN? war stragety with his hand picked Commander? I can see this coming.
posted by irunfromclones at 08:07 PM on October 02, 2009
Of course, we tax payers had to pay twice for the Obamanator to go to Europe, as he and his wife took separate planes...and separate security details. How green was that?
Personally, I'm glad we didn't get the Olympics. They're a huge financial drain that we don't need right now.
Chuck Norris would have landed the Olympics, and a round-house kick to everyone in each of the other cities in the running. Glenn Beck would have landed the Olympics, and proven that everyone living in the other cities is directly involved in a conspiracy plot to overthrow the US.
posted by dviking at 08:17 PM on October 02, 2009
rcade...when was the last time an American President flew to Europe (or anywhere for that matter) to lobby for the games in the USA?
I don't know. But President Bush spent several days at the Beijing Olympics and his father made a personal appeal that helped us get the Atlanta games. Presidents have played a role in this lobbying process before.
That its being spun by the right isn't surprising. The left would do the same.
I don't remember a site selection being politicized to the degree this one has. I think it sucks. I'm a save-the-abortion-rights-of-gay-whales liberal, but I celebrated the selection of Atlanta in 1990 when Bush 41 was president.
posted by rcade at 08:42 PM on October 02, 2009
It's like a perfect shitstorm of ugly American xenophobia and teabaggery in here.
posted by rodgerd at 08:42 PM on October 02, 2009
ust so's you all know, the US of A never had a chance. The totally corrupt international IOC hates the far less corrupt US IOC.
I don't have any faith in the integrity of the IOC. I figure the selection is largely a matter of which site got the most money, hookers and coke into the right hands.
posted by rcade at 08:44 PM on October 02, 2009
Japan? Brasil? ACORN? war stragety with his hand picked Commander? I can see this coming.
No kidding. This ain't PoliticsFilter. Comments from here on out need to stick to the Olympics.
posted by rcade at 08:47 PM on October 02, 2009
don't remember a site selection being politicized to the degree this one has. I think it sucks.
Agreed. It sucks that we're having to talk about degrees here. It sucks to see crowds cheer the selection simply for political reasons.
Especially since this:
I don't have any faith in the integrity of the IOC. I figure the selection is largely a matter of which site got the most money, hookers and coke into the right hands.
is probably much closer to reality.
posted by justgary at 10:04 PM on October 02, 2009
...and scholarships for children of IOC members.
/signed Official Secrets Act, can't reveal any more.
posted by owlhouse at 10:35 PM on October 02, 2009
So the only other times that the Olympics have been held in the Southern Hemisphere they were late. October and even November.
Should we expect the same?
posted by geekyguy at 10:45 PM on October 02, 2009
The proposed dates are August 5-21 for the Olympics and September 7-18 for the Paralympics.
Brazil will also host the (soccer) World Cup in 2014, making it only the fourth country to host the World Cup and Olympics in proximate years. Without looking it up, can you name the other three?
I'm delighted Rio got the games. Security is certainly an issue, but perhaps a large injection of cash and effort from the Brazilian government might be just what's needed to help that problem. As for political figures lobbying the IOC - the only thing Obama did wrong was turn up late and give one speech. We sent Tony Blair out to Singapore for days and he took the time to meet a bunch of floating IOC voters in private. And yet, we still won the bid!
posted by JJ at 05:43 AM on October 03, 2009
I'm going to go back to punching myself in the balls. It's way less painful than this.
posted by yerfatma at 07:49 AM on October 03, 2009
Seems like there is some suggestion that US Immigration / Customs / TSA hassles played a role in the decision -- foreigners still may be reluctant to go to the USA if they can avoid it because of the over the top security theatre that dominates, and especially if you are from, say, an Arab country, or Cuba, or any of the 'stans, you know you might really have a point. Lots of comments from foreigners at boingboing (gak).
posted by rumple at 02:59 PM on October 03, 2009
foreigners still may be reluctant to go to the USA if they can avoid it because of the over the top security theatre that dominates, and especially if you are from, say, an Arab country, or Cuba, or any of the 'stans, you know you might really have a point.
Nice to know that our over the top security theatre is doing it's job.
Move the games to Greece.
Forever.
posted by mjkredliner at 09:56 AM on October 06, 2009
Fantastic! There are reports of huge partying going on in Rio: "The people of Rio have been streaming out of their offices onto the beach. The party is under way and it may last through the weekend." -BBC