2016 Summer Olympics

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The host city of the 2016 Summer Olympics will be announced in Copenhagen in 2009. The deadline for bids is March 31, 2007. The last Summer Olympics was held in Athens in 2004.

The 2016 Summer Olympics, formally titled the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, is a major international sports and cultural festival to be held in the tradition of the Olympic Games as governed by the International Olympic Committee. While a host city has not yet been determined, various cities have begun a bidding process for that honor. A host city will be announced at the 121st meeting of the International Olympic Committee to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2009. The 2016 Summer Paralympics would also be held in the same host city chosen.

International pundits believe that the host city will most likely be in North America because cities from Asia, Australia and Europe have been selected as hosts for the four most recent Olympic Games, unless South America, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, areas that have never hosted the Olympic Games, can impress the International Olympic Committee otherwise.

Africa

Africa has never hosted a Summer Olympics. On the 13th of January a statement by the IOC President Jacques Rogge urged African nations to bid for the 2016 Olympics stating that an African city would stand a strong chance of winning if it meets key requirements. Many nations have responded by establishing bids.

Kenya

Kenya announced in early 2005 that it had the intention of bidding for the 2016 Summer Olympics, likely to be held at its capital, Nairobi. This would make it only the second African country (after South Africa) to launch a serious bid for the Games. However, Jacques Rogge has said that Kenya would have to make signifcant improvements to its infrastructure if such a bid were to be taken seriously. Nairobi and Kenya have limited experience in organizing large-scale international sporting events: to date, the last time Kenya organized such a large event was in 1987 when Nairobi organized the 4th All-Africa Games. Issues of serious crime in Nairobi would also need rapid attention long before a host bid.

South Africa

According to agency reports, a South African city, most likely Cape Town, is considering a bid. Given that South Africa will host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Rogge's eagerness for either Africa and/or South America to host an Olympic Games, and the potential strength of another bid from Cape Town - Cape Town itself was part of the candidate city shortlist for the 2004 Olympics (coming in third place after Athens and Rome); some are very optimistic about South Africa's prospects of hosting the Olympic Games in the near future.

The city of Durban has also expressed an interest in hosting the 2016 Olympics.

Asia

Despite Beijing's hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics, a few Asian cities believe that they still could have a chance to host the 2016 Olympic Games with proper planning. Of the Asian bids, a possible bid from Israel sparked discussion globally. Tel Aviv University students created a hypothetical bid for Tel Aviv as host city but never materialized into a serious bid due to serious political and security considerations.

India

The Indian capital of New Delhi has announced its wish to host the Olympics, and believes that a great source of strength will be the 2010 Commonwealth Games, which will be held in the same city. However, national opinion is deeply divided, with many saying that given the evidence that no country has ever won the Games with its first attempt, and the less than impressive national displays in Olympic medal tables, the bid would rely massively on the success of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. In the past, New Delhi has organized the 1st Asian Games in 1951 and the 9th Asian Games in 1982. In terms of other large-scale international sporting events being staged in India, the city of Hyderabad organized the 1st Afro-Asian Games in 2003.

Japan

Japan has announced it will likely bid for the 2016 Olympics. Candidacies are expected from Tokyo and Fukuoka, but the Japan Olympic Committee will decide on a single candidate. Sapporo considered entering the host city competition, citing its past experience hosting the 1972 Winter Olympics, but withdrew on February 21, 2006. A Japan bid would likely be strengthened by the success of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which Japan hosted with South Korea. Tokyo also has past Olympic experience as the host of the 1964 Games. The Japan Olympic Committee has set a deadline of June 30th, 2006 to submit bids to the JOC and will decide on August 30th, 2006 which candidate will submit its bid to the IOC.

Qatar

Doha in Qatar has announced an interest in bidding for the right to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. Doha was the host of the 2006 Asian Games.

South Korea

The mayor of Busan in South Korea, with the support of national government and sports officials, announced an official intention to offer a bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics, as a result of the city's successes in hosting the 2002 Asian Games and 2002 FIFA World Cup. South Korea also hosted the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.

Thailand

As a result of its athletic successes in the 2004 Summer Olympics, Prime Minister of Thailand officially notified the International Olympic Committee that it would attempt a serious bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Government officials have not chosen a city to offer as host but Bangkok is favored by international pundits due to its infrastructure and geographic importance.

Previously, Bangkok attempted a bid for the 2008 Summer Olympics but failed to make the shortlist. Bangkok is expected to offer its experience as host of the Asian Games on four separate occasions as proof of Olympic host city viability: the 4th Asian Games in 1966, the 5th Asian Games in 1970, the 8th Asian Games in 1978, and the 13th Asian Games in 1998. Bangkok hosted the first Asian Indoor Games in 2005 and will host the 24th Universiade in 2007. Thailand is also co-hosting the 2007 Asian Cup with Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia.

United Arab Emirates

Dubai in the United Arab Emirates has announced an interest in bidding for the right to host what would be the Middle East's first Olympiad. Infrastructure is excellent, and the emirate's wealth means that it could easily afford to build any facilities deemed necessary. One such development that could serve Olympic purposes, Dubai Sports City, is already under construction.

Two potential setbacks may thwart Dubai's hosting chances. The summer climate, where temperatures frequently surpass 45ºC (113ºF), is very hot for such an event. This would require a spring or autumn date. Furthermore, United Arab Emirates has a relative thin sporting resume, with only one Summer Olympic Games medal in its history.

Europe

It is considered unlikely that a European city will be selected for a second successive Olympic Games with London hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics. No continent has hosted successive Summer Games since 1952, when Helsinki followed 1948 host London. Nevertheless, a number of European cities are said to be considering serious bids while places like Prague in the Czech Republic are considering non-serious trial bids to warm up for future host city competitions. Rome is the remaining candidate for Italy, since Milan announced its withdrawal. The Netherlands may offer a trial bid for Rotterdam but is more likely to offer a serious bid for 2028.

Serious confirmed interest comes from Germany, Portugal, Spain and Turkey.

Germany

Hamburg and Leipzig are both preparing bids for its national Olympic committee, both of which made plans for the 2012 host city competition. Though unconfirmed by government officials, Berlin is also mentioned by media reports as preparing for a bid presentation, too. Hamburg is currently the favorite in regional circles.

Portugal

The Portuguese committee's president, Vicente Moura, announced on July 6 2005 that there would be a bid from Lisbon.

Spain

Madrid came third in the race for 2012, despite having led the field on the second ballot. The 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona were generally considered a great success, and this may bode well for a successful Spanish bid in the future. Rogge mentioned after their defeat for 2012 that "the IOC would be delighted with a new Madrid candidacy."

Some sources say the cost of Barcelona games of 1992 drained that city too severely, possibly contributing to another Spanish city losing a summer bid. Likelihood of a successful Spanish bid for the summer games could also hinge on the health of former IOC chairman Juan Antonio Samaranch, who still wields a huge amount of influence within the IOC and was more than likely the reason Madrid got as many votes as it did in the 2012 vote.

The Mayor of Madrid announced on July 6 2006 that Madrid will bid again for the 2016 Games.

Turkey

Since 1992, Istanbul was offered by Turkey as its candidate for every Summer Olympics host city competition with attempts to refine its proposals with each contest. Such attempts at refining their bids succeeded with Istanbul appearing on international shortlists for 2000 and 2008. Organizers are adamant that Istanbul will win with the tactic of offering candidacy every time.

North America

Canada

Canada has hosted the Olympics before, once in summer at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, and once in winter at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. The main problem for Montreal and Toronto is that the 2010 Winter Olympics will be in Vancouver, and the IOC may be reluctant to award the Summer Olympics to Canada only 6 years after the Winter Olympics. It should be noted, however, that the 2002 Winter Olympics were in the United States 6 years after the 1996 Summer games in Atlanta.

Montréal

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Host of the 1976 Summer Olympics, Montréal is considering another bid for the Olympic Games.

Due to prior Olympic Games being hosted in Australia, Asia and Europe, North America's chances of becoming the host continent are high, according to observers. Because of that, Canada is investing resources for bids in two cities, one of which is Montréal, as reported on a popular Olympics bid website on July 27, 2005 .

Montréal touts several advantages, most notably its multicultural population of 3.7 million people. It also highlights its economic importance in Canada and its past experiences hosting world events like the 1976 Summer Olympics and Expo 67 World's Fair in 1967, which attracted 50 million people. The FINA 2005 World Aquatics Championships were also held in the city, along with the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Canada (since 1978), the International Fireworks Competition, and the planned 2006 World Outgames, which is set to draw 16,000 athletes from all over the planet.

Ironically, Montréal's past hosting of the Olympic Games can hurt its chances with the International Olympic Committee usually favoring strong bids from cities that have not yet hosted. Other factors may hurt the city's bid process including considerable opposition by its citizenry against a bid remembering the economic hardship that came with its past hosting experience. Montréal paid for its last Olympics with increased taxation over the course of thirty years. The former Olympic Stadium is referred to as "The Big Owe" in memory of the debt it caused. However, Montreal also paved the way for security at the Olympic Games, because of the 1972 Munich Massacre at the prior Summer Olympics. Montreal was also the first Olympic City to draw a television audience of more than 1 billion people worldwide.

If it wins the host city competition, Montréal would celebrate the 2016 Summer Olympics as the 40th Anniversary of the 1976 Summer Olympics. It is hoped that this will add to its favor. Although Toronto is a larger city than Montreal, Montrealers are hoping that their city will have an edge against Toronto.

Toronto

Toronto is often considered a strong Canadian Olympic contender, but is currently focused on securing the right to host the 2015 World's Fair.

In the wake of London's selection as 2012 host, Toronto leaders told the Globe and Mail newspaper they would not likely seek the 2016 Games.[1]

As second place in the final round of voting to determine the 2008 Summer Olympics host city, Toronto is often considered Canada's strongest hope to eventually host the summer Games.

Its assets include rich cultural diversity, waterfront location and tolerable summer weather. Toronto offered a possible 2012 Summer Olympics bid but withdrew after Vancouver won the right to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. The Vancouver selection to host the 2010 Winter Olympics is considered an impediment for both Montréal and Toronto.

Toronto is concentrating on a bid to host the 2015 World's Fair. It is uncertain if the Canadian Olympic Committee would move forward with a bid from Toronto if they lose the Expo 2015 host city competition.

Cuba

Cuba and the President of the Cuban Olympic Committee, José Ramón Fernández, announced on July 7, 2005 that it would offer an official 2016 Summer Olympics bid with Havana as the host city. Lack of infrastructure and venues, as well as the overall poverty level of the nation have been reasons that Cuba failed to make the shortlist for 2008 and 2012; however, the poverty level could also work in Cuba's favor, since Jacques Rogge has stated he would favor hosting the games in a developing country so long as the bid meets a few key requirements.

Mexico

Mexico is offering a bid featuring Monterrey, a failed candidate for the 2008 Summer Olympics .

United States

The United States Olympic Committee affirmed, at its meeting on April 8, 2006 at its Colorado Springs headquarters, will that it would submit an American nominee to the international body, based on its own criteria. If The United States does put forth a bid, it is expected to be a favorite since many of the IOC's top sponsors (Coca-Cola, McDonald's, GE; as well as NBC and Eastman Kodak) are headquartered in the United States; and it will have been fourteen years since the United States has hosted a previous Olympics (the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah).

Requirements

The USOC's chairman, Peter Ueberroth, in evaluating the failures of New York City in its bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, especially the absence of plans for an Olympic stadium venue, proposed several requirements for new American bid cities:

• The nominee must have an existing stadium or approved plans for a new stadium that would be a large enough venue for the opening ceremony, closing ceremony and track and field competition
• The nominee must have "already built or fully committed" to building necessary infrastructure like transportation and the like
• The nominee must have Olympic and media village venues and adequate hotel and convention space
• The nominee must have the support of not only local government but also state and federal governments, as well as active private sector participation
• The nominee must have a realistic chance to win against international candidates.

Assessments

Ueberroth, alongside his Chief Executive Officer, James Sherr and his Vice President, Bob Ctvrtlik, traveled to five possible host city nominees in mid-May of 2006. In preparation for the visits with municipal leaders, Ueberroth warned that interested cities refrain from creating official host city nomination committees or plan for fundraising until after the initial meetings were completed. The chairman believed that some cities were unrealistic winners in the bid process and such early planning would just lead to unnecessary expenses.

Ueberroth and his party visited Houston on May 8, Philadelphia on May 9 and Chicago on May 10. These initial USOC assessments were also conducted in Los Angeles and San Francisco on May 18.

Recent Developments

On June 23, 2006, the five United States candidates met in California to offer official presentations to the USOC Board of Directors. Chicago Tribune reported of the event on June 24, "USOC officials indicated they could whittle down the field of five contenders in as soon as three weeks." .

On July 17, 2006, NBC 11 San Francisco reported that USOC would name San Francisco, Los Angeles and possibly Chicago as the three US finalist for the 2016 Olympics, dropping Philadelphia and Houston from the original short list, the formal announcement expected within a few weeks. The USOC refuted that claim, saying that no decisions had been made and that all five cities were still in the running for the potential US bid.

On July 26, 2006, the USOC officially named San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago as the three US finalists for the 2016 Olympics, dropping Philadelphia and Houston. However, the committee still has not decided whether to pursue an international bid for a US city. That decision will be made by the end of 2006. If decided to move foward, the official US city will be named in March of 2007.

Chicago

Based on public perception from media reports and descriptions of its bid, Chicago is considered one of the strongest of the United States host city nominees.

See also Chicago 2016 Olympic bid

Chicago, the largest city in the Midwest and third largest in the United States, is considered one of the stronger candidates amongst the United States host city nominees due to plans outlined by its long-serving leader, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Chicago was expected to host the 1904 Summer Olympics but those Olympic Games ultimately took place in Saint Louis to coincide with the World's Fair; this switch has been considered a blunder. Historically, the city of Chicago has not been satisfied with its distinction as being one of the few cities to have an Olympic Games taken away, but this is unlikely to have an adverse effect on a modern bid.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles has hosted two previous Olympic Games: 1932 Summer Olympics and 1984 Summer Olympics. The city is highlighting venues for its bid: the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (which has twice served as Olympic stadium), Staples Center, Home Depot Center in suburban Carson, and Arrowhead Pond in suburban Anaheim. The University of Southern California will also open a 10,000 seat basketball arena called the Galen Center in fall 2006.

San Francisco

Main article: San Francisco 2016 Olympic bid

San Francisco's bid, like the Chicago bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics, San Francisco and the entire San Francisco Bay Area in California is touting a compact but regional-participatory focus for its bid, expressing an interest in developing planning partnerships with a large number of neighboring large cities. Mayor of San Francisco Gavin Newsom announced the bid on September 12, 2005. San Francisco lost in its previous bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, losing 123 to 91 to New York City.

Oceania

Though the games were hosted in Sydney in 2000, Oceania is regarded as a viable contender for the games in 2016 due to the success of the 2000 games. The only two nations with the infrastructure to host the games at the current time are New Zealand and Australia, though a multi-nation bid could also be in the works among other nations in the region. Such a bid, however, is considered a long shot due to the underdevelopment of smaller Oceanian nations.

Australia

Australia intends to make a bid for the games. After the success of the 2000 games in Sydney it would be a high contender. No cities have been voted in but it is expected to be between 2006 Commonwealth Games host Melbourne and Queensland capital Brisbane. It has also been said that Australia's eyes are on both the 2016 games and the 2020 games.

South America

Argentina

Buenos Aires was a candidate city for the 2004 Olympics, but lost hope of becoming an Olympic host after Argentina's economic crash in 2001. However, the country's economy has since rebounded to such an extent that some groups within the Argentine media now predict that Buenos Aires will announce a bid to host the 2016 Games, with an associated increase in investment in the city's infrastructure. Of all the cities in South America, Buenos Aires has experienced the most success: it was a candidate city for the 1968 and 2004 Summer Games, it almost became the host city for the Games of the XVI Olympiad of 1956, losing to Melbourne, Australia by only one vote during 43rd IOC Session in Rome in 1949. And, in terms of previous experience in organizing large-scale sporting events, Buenos Aires and Argentina have an impressive résumé: Buenos Aires organized the 1st Pan American Games in 1951, while Buenos Aires co-hosted the 12th Pan American Games in 1995 with the cities of Mar del Plata and La Plata. Argentina also hosted the 1978 FIFA World Cup. The crime rate in Buenos Aires is also among the lowest for major South American cities, which would further enhance its chances of hosting a successful Olympiad.

Brazil

Agency reports have mentioned Rio de Janeiro as a possible bidder for 2016. Rio de Janeiro launched applications to host the 2004 and 2012 Olympics, but failed to make the shortlist on both occasions. However, experts are monitoring how well Rio de Janeiro organizes the upcoming 2007 Pan American Games. If the 2007 PAG turns out to be a logistical success, it may propel Rio de Janeiro as a serious contender come 2008 or 2009 when the bidding cycle for the 2016 Olympic Games begin. Furthermore, it should be stressed how eager the IOC is to have either South America or Africa host the games.

Brazil has had experience in organizing large-scale sporting events in the past: Brazil organized the 1950 FIFA World Cup, and São Paulo organized the 4th Pan American Games in 1963. Subsequently, due to the continental rotation policy taken by FIFA that will place the 2014 FIFA World Cup in South America, CONMEBOL has unanimously nominated Brazil as its candidate to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup, with FIFA making its final decision sometime in 2008. São Paulo, Brasília and Curitiba have also mentioned that want to make a bid , therefore, the Brazilian Olympic Committee will perhaps have to choose between these four cities. Crime statistics is lowering and personal safety concerns for a huge influx of visitors are all fairly big issues faced by Brazilian host cities.

Chile

In 2002, the president of the Chilean Olympic committee, Fernando Eitel, announced that he wanted to see the 2016 Olympics hosted by Chile, adding that "much of the organization is already in place." Eitel also believes that IOC President Jacques Rogge wishes to see more developing countries playing a part in hosting the Games, and that this desire would work in Chile's favor. Also, Chile's fantastic growing economy, financial security and the latest foreign investment in the country are certainly advantages for this potential bid. Another fact is that Santiago de Chile is evolving very quickly in terms of transportation (new subway lines, new airport terminals and urban highways), communications and has made strides in solving its pollution issues, bolstering the city's claim of being capable for hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics. Chile hosted the 1962 FIFA World Cup.

Others

Like the San Diego-Tijuana bid, and the success of the Korea-Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup, many small Latin American countries have had talks for a joint bid of two cities. Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia, and Peru want to launch a double or even triple alliance for 2016. The cities of Bogotá, Cochabamba, Guayaquil, Lima, La Paz, Cuzco, Sucre and Quito have all considered a joint bid for the games. This is now highly unlikely given the political state of these nations.

External links

• International Olympic Committee