olivier in france Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Here we go, RIO!!! Probably not as our President Sarkozy has said Rio had our vote! (he's trying to sell Rafale planes to Lula!) and well if we choose someone he's doomed!! Sarko is incredible... while there's a lot of lobbying and politics in those olympics choices, he's the only leader i know that has clearly said "his " vote was going to a particular candidate! i'm sure our IOC representant have loved it! (it's always great to look like a muppet in front of all your colleagues!) And i'm sure Madrid, Spain and the rest of Europe have appreciated the french support to the european candidate!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finknottle Posted October 2, 2009 Author Share Posted October 2, 2009 Tony Blair did the same thing obama's doing. London got the 2012 Olympics with the help of his speaking to the election committees. http://www.london2012.com/news/media-relea...-2012-olymp.php .........though I did read an article yesterday that said this would be the last time presidents and such will have that chance to have an ear with the decision makers. This was precisely my point in starting this thread. When Blair did it, quite a few countries got pissed off - notably the French as the front-runners were London and Paris. There were charges on the legality of his lobbying (apparently the IOC forbids government promotion before certain phases), charges of vote-buying, etc. It soured relations between England and France, even by their standards. And for what? So - do we really want South America to see the President engaging in what they will perceive as heavy-handed gringoism in stealing the Olympics away from Rio, at a time when we need their cooperation on other issues? Is it really worth it, just so that a few posters here can have their feel-good moment watching a bunch of people from around the world win shiny medals for running and skipping on American soil? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 This was precisely my point in starting this thread. When Blair did it, quite a few countries got pissed off - notably the French as the front-runners were London and Paris. There were charges on the legality of his lobbying (apparently the IOC forbids government promotion before certain phases), charges of vote-buying, etc. It soured relations between England and France, even by their standards. And for what? So - do we really want South America to see the President engaging in what they will perceive as heavy-handed gringoism in stealing the Olympics away from Rio, at a time when we need their cooperation on other issues? Is it really worth it, just so that a few posters here can have their feel-good moment watching a bunch of people from around the world win shiny medals for running and skipping on American soil? Chicago can keep the IOC flush with cash. How can London and Paris get pissed off? They have had what? About three games each in the 100 years. BTW, it was the French and St. Louis (much more historically French in culture than Chicago) that screwed over Chicago in 1904. I know this is ancient history... Yet, it would be nice to see the games in the heartland... Especially next to a big body of freshwater... It would have different feel IMO. The day and age as it is, you won't see the games in small towns anymore, especially the summer games... The Lake Placids are a thing of the past, let alone a city like St. Louis again. What I am saying is that there is only one option for the Midwest of the US... Chicago... Think of the world class cities (in the classic sense): 1. London 2. Paris 3. NYC 4. LA 5. Tokyo 6. Moscow (for all you commie lovers) Chicago is amazingly off that list never hosting the games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Oh... I can see the games going to Toronto... Not so much Montreal again. Those are modern world class cities. Summer games are all about the "big cities" IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finknottle Posted October 2, 2009 Author Share Posted October 2, 2009 How can London and Paris get pissed off? They have had what? About three games each in the 100 years. No, not pissed off at us. I meant they got pissed off at each other, back then, fighting over whether it was appropriate for a head of state - and by extension the state itself - to intervene. It is South America we risk pissing off by nationalizing the selection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bishop Hedd Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 What good is it for Chicago getting the games if there is no more baseball in the Olympics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
/dev/null Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 What good is it for Chicago getting the games if there is no more baseball in the Olympics? They cut baseball out of the Olympics? Seriously Iwoudln't know. The Olympics and baseball are 2 sports I don't watch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 They cut baseball out of the Olympics? Seriously Iwoudln't know. The Olympics and baseball are 2 sports I don't watch You unpatriotic bastard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
/dev/null Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 You unpatriotic bastard! How dare you call me unpatriotic. I pay taxes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olivier in france Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 They cut baseball out of the Olympics? Seriously Iwoudln't know. The Olympics and baseball are 2 sports I don't watch you unpatriotic bastard!! (chef's post corrected) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
/dev/null Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 you unpatriotic bastard!! (chef's post corrected) ouch. called unpatriotic by a frog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olivier in france Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 LOL. An american that does not like baseball is like a frenchman that does not like good wine... Baseball was about the only sport i watched during the Olympics and basketball and track are the only olympics sports worth a look now... I know americans don't care at all about baseball in the olympics but for us baseball lovers in Europe it's very important as an olympic sport have much more access to public help, funds, recognition than a non olympic sport. It was tough to convince cities/sponsors/schools/mutlisports clubs to build a baseball field, to help a new club, to make some schools buy baseball gear etc... when the sport was olympic, now that it is not anymore it's almost impossible... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Hey LA... Chicago has been ELIMINATED... Just like I said... Nice call on your part! It has got to be Rio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wacka Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Chicago eliminated! How are the Messiah's cronies going to unload the land they bought with their front companies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erynthered Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Hey LA... Chicago has been ELIMINATED... Just like I said... Nice call on your part! It has got to be Rio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Just like I had a hunch... One of the two favorites drop out in the first round... The one that survives has the best chance then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Tokyo is out, so we are both half wrong! I can't imagine Madrid... Yet Rio is Portuguese... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erynthered Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Tokyo is out, so we are both half wrong! I can't imagine Madrid... Yet Rio is Portuguese... It'll be Rio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wacka Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Obama can still go- as a Kenyan marathoner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erynthered Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Obama can still go- as a Kenyan marathoner! Thats frekin funny, man!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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