# Chicago, Madrid, Rio, or Tokyo; who's gonna get the Olympics? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 1, 2009, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284 "2009-10-01T21:37:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/61 "2009-10-02T18:10:50Z")
```auto City Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Rio de Janeiro 26 46 66 Madrid 28 29 32 Tokyo 22 20 — Chicago 18 — — ``` Looks to me like the European delegates were for Madrid and everyone else found their way to Rio. I’m curious about the two delegates who didn’t vote for Tokyo again on the second ballet. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/62 "2009-10-02T18:47:09Z")
Will they hold the Olympics in August, or February (the latter being summer in that hemisphere)? ---
**Author:** ![Henrichek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5daacb/32.png) [@Henrichek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henrichek)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/63 "2009-10-02T18:55:52Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Will they hold the Olympics in August, or February (the latter being summer in that hemisphere)? I have no clue, but looking at this temperature chart, it seems like they have summer all year long. > **[Rio de Janeiro | Climate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_de_Janeiro#Climate)** > > Rio has a tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen: Aw, Trewartha: Awab), and is often characterized by long periods of heavy rain between December and March. The city experiences hot, humid summers, and warm, sunny winters. In inland areas of the city, temperatures above 40 °C (104 °F) are common during the summer, though rarely for long periods, while maximum temperatures above 27 °C (81 °F) occur regularly every month. Temperature varies according to elevation, distance from the coast, and typ Sum... ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/64 "2009-10-02T18:57:50Z")
According to wikipedia, they are scheduled to be held from August 5-21. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/65 "2009-10-02T18:57:57Z")
Well, never mind. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/66 "2009-10-02T18:58:27Z")
The Sydney games were Sept 15 - Oct. 1 which is late summer early fall in the US so that would be late winter early spring down there. I would expect Rio to choose similar dates. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/67 "2009-10-02T19:44:09Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > I think that unfortuntely, Obama’s personal appeal may have backfired. I won’t say it was somehow morally wrong, but it’s a little tacky for the President of the United States to go ona special trip overseas to chat up his hometown. And apparently, the ICC is not very big on tacky (unless it’s expensive presents and free hookers.) I understand why Obama would want it - I’m not blaming him for his actions, per se. But I don’t think he made a very good impression. You don’t see Putin (or his lacky Medvedev) or Hu Jintao doing that; I expect it made him appear weak and overshadowed Chicago’s real advantages. > > That said, I don’t think it ultimately made a difference other than to give Obama a black eye, so it’s hardly his fault Chicago lost. I think Rio was the judges’ favorite (although Madrid would have been very nice) for a lot of reasons. I agree since the bribes in Salt Lake City the IOC is actively avoiding any appearence of undue influence be it money or “star power.” ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/68 "2009-10-02T20:08:52Z")
I wasn’t aware that heads of state were running around trying to influence things. That said, I’m not sure it actually weakens my argument, since I would note that apparently it didn’t work out so well for the international leaders/stars who did so. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/69 "2009-10-02T20:26:58Z")
> [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](#): > > Wow, I wonder why Chicago finished last. The USOC [enraged](http://www.reuters.com/article/olympicsNews/idUSL939946520090909) the IOC by announcing plans to set up its own TV channel, which the IOC worried would cut into TV revenue for the Games. The USOC eventually [backed off](http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6967627), but perhaps the damage had been done. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/70 "2009-10-02T20:32:30Z")
> [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](#): > > 1. After this and New York’s bid last time around I think it’s time U.S. cities start asking themselves if these bids are worth it. Bids are expensive and take up huge amounts of effort. The New York and Chicago bids were as solid as they are going to get and neither one even made it to the final two. With Brazil hosting the Olympics in 2016 the games will likely go to Europe and Asia in 2020 and 2024. There really seems to be no reason to waste the effort on more bids. There was an article in a local free newspaper that Boston has been doing some preliminary planning to bid for 2020 in case Chicago lost. I’d be curious to see what they come up with in terms of planning, (rowing on the Charles? another marathon route?) although I don’t think the bid books are made public. But if Chicago lost because of its antiquated subway, we’re pretty much toast. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/71 "2009-10-02T21:03:48Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > I wasn’t aware that heads of state were running around trying to influence things. That said, I’m not sure it actually weakens my argument, since I would note that apparently it didn’t work out so well for the international leaders/stars who did so. 😉 Brazil’s president was there to make a presentation, too. ---
**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/72 "2009-10-02T21:08:12Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > Odd thing about the fingerprinting: I’ve never met anybody who wants it, or even wants the stupid (and completely useless) air security nonsense. I live in a pretty conservative/libertarian area. It’s buearocracy that put this idiocy into play, and its hard to fight. It’s obviously not the IOC’s position to intefere with the politics of a nation but I can’t think they will ever vote to hold the Olympic Games in a country that requires the fingerprints of not just all overseas competitors and officials but everyone wanting to attend as spectators. Sure, it’s the USA’s business but this is not how the rest of the world works. Has the USA been awarded any international sporting events since this policy came in? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/73 "2009-10-02T21:10:36Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > I wasn’t aware that heads of state were running around trying to influence things. That said, I’m not sure it actually weakens my argument, since I would note that apparently it didn’t work out so well for the international leaders/stars who did so. 😉 Tell it to Lula and Pele. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/74 "2009-10-02T21:19:44Z")
All four cities would have made a great job of it, but I’m glad it went to Rio. Good luck to them. ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/75 "2009-10-02T21:26:46Z")
> [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](#): > > Japan also fingerprints visitors, this won’t hurt their chances next time around methinks. The Japanese do not maintain prisons outside their borders, nor do they automatically suspect every non-white and non-Japanese person of being a terrorist. I was just in Japan 3 weeks ago and it was easier/faster and more friendly getting into Japan than the USA (and I have a US Passport). ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/76 "2009-10-02T21:42:06Z")
Even if I were in favor of having the Olympics here (which I’m not), I would still consider keeping terrorists OUT more important than letting athletes and tourists IN. Other countries aren’t as big of a target for the bad guys, but we are. It would be foolish to pretend it were otherwise…TRM ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/77 "2009-10-02T22:06:28Z")
[QUOTE=BobLibDem] I think Chicago being first out shows that the US has a way to go to rebuild its reputation. Eight years of Bush were bad enough, but the teabaggers and towners and birthers and deathers make us look like we don’t deserve a bid and maybe we don’t. [/QUOTE] In a weird way, I think - and I say this with all due respect, you seem like a bright guy and you post up a lot of good stuff on this board - you’re demonstrating a very high level of Ameri-centric ignorance here, as are a few other posters. I assure you the IOC does not give a tin shit about George W. Bush, and nobody outside the United States, save a few Canadians who get to see it on the news, cares a whit about “birthers” or “deathers” or, for the most part, even knows what the hell those are. The rest of the world _have their own politics to care about_, amazing though that might seem. They have governments and elections and their own laws and everything, I shit you not. They don’t care about what’s going on in town hall meetings in Shitheel, North Dakota. More specifically to this issue, the IOC in particular quite obviously doesn’t give a frickin’ hoot about such things. Let me give you some objective evidence: 1. The 2008 Summer Games were held in China, a hideous dictatorship reknowned for human rights abuses that make Dubya look like Raoul Wallenberg, and where visitors are regularly tailed by secret police. 2. The 2014 Winter Games will be held in Russia, a kleptocracy of such preposterous corruption that it would be funny if it wasn’t for the fact that their government also seems to really enjoy killing people. If human rights and liberal happiness were the issue they’d hold the Games in Denmark every year. But those aren’t the issues. This is how they make their decision: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ The IOC is a collection of pampered rich (mostly white) men, with the power concentrated in a cadre of rich specifically European white men, whose only interest in the common man is how fast the common man serves them their drinks and how effectively the common man carries their golf clubs. Not one of these men cares about being fingerprinted at O’Hare, because they come in on private jets and have lackeys fingerprinted for them while they’re being whisked off to five-star hotels. (The availability of luxury hotel rooms for IOC members and officials is, in fact, one of their critical measurements of prospective host cities.) Apart from their general effort to ensure the Games aren’t held in the same area twice in a row, the IOC’s absolute #1 concern is personal profit, maximizing bribery and graft; the city that can provide them with the most money, perks, and whores will almost always win. We’ll never really know, but the truth is that Chicago probably got it ass kicked because of Salt Lake City. The bribery scandal around SLC very likely had a chilling effect on the Chicago bid committee’s ability to hand out the payola, since U.S. authorities were very likely more hip to the problem, so the USOC wasn’t able to really lay out the big time payoffs. It should tell you something that everyone figured Madrid and Tokyo were non players but they beat Chicago in the first round; the likelihood is that they came up with more cash and hookers than Chicago did, and that’s that. You know why cities often the the Olympics on the second try? Because they learn that it’s not the bid or the cities’ particulars. It’s the money. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/78 "2009-10-02T22:07:07Z")
Money talks with the IOC and they know that a US Olympics brings in a lot of cash, much of that comes from US TV contracts. They won’t keep the US out for much longer. Rio is pretty good for US TV because they are only 1 hour ahead of NYC which means they can have a lot of events live in US prime time. I’m sure they played that up in their bid . ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/79 "2009-10-02T22:09:00Z")
Golf clap to **RickJay**. The U.S. is often a target for international criticism and that probably didn’t help Chicago any, but I’d bet that the particulars of the bids (or just the cash on the table) had a lot more to do with this than anyone’s politics. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284/80 "2009-10-02T22:46:31Z")
As someone who is very familiar with the Chicago bid, I think the result is a surprising one. Chicago was the best bid from the point of view of actually having a top class Olympics. The infrastructure is most certainly there, much more so than Rio. What sank Chicago was the financing. All the other claims posted above are pretty wide off the mark. It had nothing to do with passports or even anti-Bush or Obama sentiment. The other countries governments were truly behind the bid. Chicago couldn’t really say that. So the IOC went with the money. I think it’s a bad decision for a number of reasons. I don’t think Rio will have the infrastructure to host the games properly. They have a horrendous crime and poverty issue to deal with. Further, I think the Olympics are declining in popularity in the US and this certainly won’t help. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-madrid-rio-or-tokyo-whos-gonna-get-the-olympics/512284.md?page=5)