and the 2016 Olympics Go To...

[Oznogrd]

Well shit.... http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=4525513

While I dont necessarily think Chicago or Tokyo should've been in the running: It going to Rio is absurd. I was there for the panam games in 2007. Everything was so botched facility wise (our bathrooms were missing walls to the outside...it felt like showering under a garden hose). The environment was unsafe (many athletes there were robbed/attacked). Not to mention having to sleep bathed in insect repellant. I just don't get it. I understand that south America has never had it while the US has had 2 recently (Salt Lake/Atlanta) and Tokyo is a little too similar to Beijing...but...I've been to rio...ANYWHERE ELSE would've been better. I do wish the 2016 games crew luck at making everything to the high caliber and safety precautions of the IOC..they're gonna need it.

[J@3]

Interesting. I didn't even know the Olympic host was being decided. I like that it didn't go to Tokyo because another games in this region reduces Australia's chances of getting them again in the next God knows how many years. Chicago losing is a bad omen because A) it's been 13 years since the Atlanta Olympics (as opposed to our 9) and it also means an American city is more likely to win it for 2020. I'd have been happy with Madrid but Rio is fine with me, the atmosphere should be interesting for the South American competitors.

[Andrew]

There were concerns about the 2004 and 2008 Games as far as facilities, environment etc and those came off alright. Hopefully it'll be the same for Rio...somewhat of an upset, but placing the Games in South America for the first time was obviously a deciding factor.

[Oznogrd]

You wanna see some passion for athletes go to south america. Every fan i met there was super supportive and as long as it wasnt Brazil we were up against would cheer for the US. Some really cool people that'll be in the stadiums/running the show. All that i have no problem with. They were some of the most well meaning passionate people i've ever met. But the criminals in rio are out of control and it's going to be bad news. Maybe that's true of everywhere but when I was in Rio, you didnt stop for red lights because you'd get carjacked. Every homeowner had broken bottles on top of their walls to keep crookings from running from the cops on their roofs.
I hope it goes off well. I really do...some global attention to conditions there might be what they need to fix things.

[The X]

Rio can't be anymore dangerous than the Football World Cup 2010 in South Africa

[Oznogrd]

you got a point there X...I dunno. Just heard too many stories while in and post brazil where people are amazed i came back from 2 weeks there with only missing legs. I hope i'm wrong and it goes off without a hitch. I dont count on it.

[Null17]

I heard that they turned down Chicago because of the crime rate. So how is Rio any better?

[Oznogrd]

lol people looking for an excuse i guess to axe chicago. Rio is way worse than chi-town..

[jettdaking!]

at least not tokyo. i'd be really shitting if that would happen. chicago and rio looked okay but madrid would be best. London's gonna host the 2012 olympics right?

[Andrew]

That's correct.

[MikeMan™]

Chicago was turned down because of the economic crisis right? and Madrid because London's going to host the 2012 Olympics.

[shadowgrin]

I doubt Chicago bore the brunt of the global economic crisis alone.

[Oznogrd]

Chicago was turned down because of the economic crisis right? and Madrid because London's going to host the 2012 Olympics.

It was turned down I believe due to crime rate and marketing possibilites of the first time ever in south america.