2016 SUMMER OLYMPICS

The '2016 Summer Olympics', officially the 'Games of the XXXI Olympiad', is a major international sports and cultural festival to be celebrated 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 Session (which will also be the XIIIth Olympic Congress) of the International Olympic Committee to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, on October 2, 2009. The 2016 Summer Paralympics would also be held in the same host city.

Contents

The bidding process

Cities that will officially bid for the Games

Americas

Asia

Europe

Cities considering bids

Africa

Americas

Asia

Europe

Oceania

Joint bids

References

External links

The bidding process

Main articles: 2016 Summer Olympics bids

The bidding process for the 2016 Olympic Games was officially launched on May 16, 2007.^[1] The next step for each city is to submit an initial application to the IOC by September 13, 2007. Completed official bid files are due by January 14, 2008. Finalists will then be notified in June 2008. Then the final host city selection will be made by the full IOC on October 2, 2009, in Copenhagen, Denmark. IOC rules mean change in Chicago's Olympic logo Bellandi, Deanna
International pundits believe that the host city will most likely be in North America because cities from Asia and Europe have been selected as hosts for the four most recent Olympic Games. That may not be the case, however, especially considering that Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, is to hold the 2010 Winter Olympics. Still, Montreal (Summer 1976), Lake Placid (Winter 1980), Los Angeles (Summer 1984), and Calgary (Winter 1988) have all hosted Olympics on the same continent in a 12 year span. (Note, however, that in that 12 year span, the Summer and Winter Olympics were held in the same year, which means that between 1976 and 1984 the Summer Games were held in Moscow U.S.S.R. in 1980, and between 1980 and 1988 the Winter Games were held in Sarajevo, (Former Yugoslavia) in 1984. So each version of the Olympic Games did not have consecutive Olympics on the same continent.)

Cities that will officially bid for the Games

Americas

Logo	Name	Country (IOC country code)	Official web site
	Chicago	'' (USA)	Chicago 2016
	Main articles: Chicago 2016 Olympic bid On April 14, 2007, the United States Olympic Committee chose Chicago to run in the 2016 Olympic bidding. Chicago was expected to host the 1904 Summer Olympics but those Olympic Games ultimately took place in St. Louis, to coincide with the World's Fair. [2] Chicago has an extensive public transit system, a wide range of venues, and a strong sports culture[3]. Chicago is one of few cities in the United States to host professional men and women's hockey, baseball, basketball, soccer, and American football teams. Another possible benefit is the city's central location in the United States since the Central Time Zone is well-suited to the North American television coverage for television networks and cable broadcasting, as well as easy international and national flight access with O'Hare Airport and Midway Airport. Plans include a temporary Olympic Stadium in Washington Park on the city's South Side[4]. In May 2007, Chicago was informed that its logo, a representation of a torch with the flames reminiscent of Chicago's skyline, violated IOC rules prohibiting the use of Olympic symbols (including rings, torches and medals) by candidate cities. The bid committee agreed to revise the logo. [5]
	Rio de Janeiro	'' (BRA)
	Main articles: Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic bid On September 1, 2006, the Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOC) named Rio de Janeiro as an applicant for the 2016 Games. The city previously launched applications to host the 2004 and 2012 Olympics, but was not chosen for the shortlist for both applications. Its natural and dramatic beauty, as well as time zone convenient to North American broadcasting (see Chicago, above) are two initial positive factors. Recently, Rio hosted the XV Pan American Games, an event considered to be "the key proving ground for an Olympic bid", because a logistical success organizing the event could improve the city's bidding campaign for the 2016 Olympic Games. The 2007 Pan Am Games were held with only few problems reported. These Games were named by the president of the Pan American Sports Organisation, Mario Vázquez Raña, as being the best Pan American Games in history.[6] However, there has been public concern regarding security issues in Rio de Janeiro. Transportation was also difficult in the Pan Am Games. [7] The IOC is eager to have either South America or Africa host the games, as these are locations that have never held the games, and Rio de Janeiro government is already committed in improving the situation, as well as other South American and African cities. On July 30 2007, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, president of the BOC and the Organizing Committee of the XV Pan American Games, confirmed that he is personally working on required documents and is making sure all processes for the candidature acceptance will be read in time, resulting in an official bid. [8] On July 31, 2007, Brazil submitted its bid for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and as of yet, are the only bidders. Brazil seems hopeful of a "double hosting" of both the Olympics and World Cup, much like Germany (1972 and 1974), Mexico (1968 and 1970) and United States (1994 and 1996). However, "double-hosting" may negatively affect Rio's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. According to Agence France-Presse, an IOC member said last week that Rio is unlikely to be awarded the Olympics because, “IOC members don’t like feeling they are the pudding, i.e. coming after another major sporting occasion”. The World Cup will be awarded on October 30, 2007.[9] [10]

Asia

Logo	Name	Country (IOC country code)	Official web site
	Doha	'' (QAT)
	'Doha' in Qatar is preparing its bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics.[11] Doha was the host of the 2006 Asian Games, spent US$2.8 billion[12] on preparing Asian Games venues and may spend more on the Olympic Games. The Qatar 2016 bid has also won support from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) president.[13] Objections may be raised to Qatar's bid because of its practice of giving "passports of convenience" to foreign athletes[14] and an incident at the 2006 Asian Games in which Mushir Salim Jawher, a Kenyan-Bahraini runner, was stripped of his medal by Bahrain for having competed in a marathon in Israel.[15] Qatar does not allow entry to people whose passports indicate they have visited Israel. Because of the average temperature in July and August can easily reach 40°C (104°F),it would be more ideal for the Games to take place in May or September, as was the case when Seoul hosted in 1988, and likewise Sydney in 2000. The expansion of Aspire Zone or as some call it Doha Sport City will be a must to accomidate the spectators coming along with new sports and more athletes.
	Dubai	'' (UAE)
	Main articles: Dubai 2016 Olympic bid 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.[16] The infrastructure is on par with European and North American standards, 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. The climate is a potential problem that may thwart Dubai's hosting chances. The summer heat (May through September), when temperatures frequently surpass 45°C (113°F), would preclude any outdoor sports at this time. Therefore a date between late October and April would have to be chosen - which may not be ideal for the media in all countries.
	Tokyo	'' (JPN)	Tokyo 2016
	Main articles: Tokyo 2016 Olympic bid The Japan Olympic Committee set a deadline of June 30, 2006, for bids to the JOC and decided on August 30, 2006, that Tokyo will submit its bid to the IOC.[17] The bid will likely be strengthened by the success of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which Japan co-hosted with South Korea. Japan also has past Olympic experience as the host of the 1964 Games in Tokyo, the 1972 Winter Games in Sapporo, and the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano.

Europe

Logo	Name	Country (IOC country code)	Official web site
	Madrid	'' (ESP)	Madrid 2016
	The same day London was chosen for organizing the 2012 Olympic Games, the mayor of Madrid spoke of an interest to make a bid for the 2016 games. A year later, on July 6, 2006, the city council unanimously voted for submitting a new bid. In May 2007, the mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón was received by the Spanish Olympic Committee, Comité Olímpico Español (COE), where he filed as the only Spanish candidate for the games. The Spanish Field Hockey Federation vice chairwoman, Mercedes Coghen was chosen as chairwoman of the project. Former IOC president, Juan Antonio Samaranch offered his help in this new attempt. An official logo has been released. On May 30, 2007, COE officially approved Madrid as Spain's candidate for the 2016 Games.[18]
	Prague	'' (CZE)	Prague 2016
	On March 22, 2007, Prague confirmed its bid when the Prague Assembly voted 53-10-3 in support of launching an official bid. Although the bid enjoys great support from state and civic authorities such as current mayor Pavel Bem, Prague's bid is considered to be a long-shot given several factors, such as Prague's lack of stadia and other important Olympic sports infrastructure, and seeing as how London is already hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics, the IOC is unlikely to award back-to-back Summer Olympic Games to the same continent [2].

Cities considering bids

Africa

An African nation has never hosted a Summer Olympics. On January 13, 2005, 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.^[19] Many nations have responded by establishing bids.

★ 'Kenya'

Kenyan sports minister Ochillo Ayacko announced in early 2005 that Kenya had the intention of bidding for the 2016 Summer Olympics, likely to be held at its capital, 'Nairobi'.^[20] This would make it only the third African country (after South Africa and Egypt) to launch a serious bid for the Games. However, Jacques Rogge has said that Kenya would have to make significant improvements to its infrastructure if such a bid were to be taken seriously.^[21] In July 2005, Tom Omuombo, secretary-general of the Kenyan Olympic Committee agreed, saying "We're not ready to host the Olympics. Instead we should first go for games like the world cross country, which we're bidding to host (in 2007)." He also sited Kenya's lack of modern sports facilities, funding and dilapidated transport system.^[22] This would seem to end Kenya's bid for the 2016 Olympics. Although Nairobi and Kenya have limited experience in organizing large-scale international sporting events, Kenya has organized the 1987 All-Africa Games in Nairobi and the 2007 World Cross Country Championships held in Mombasa.

★ '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, Jacques Rogge is eager for either Africa or South America to host an Olympic Games. There may be another bid from Cape Town (Cape Town was on the candidate city shortlist for the 2004 Olympics). The city of 'Durban' has also expressed an interest in hosting the 2016 Olympics.^[23]

Americas

By 2016, the Summer Olympics would have not been held in the Americas for 20 years, the previous of which were the 1996 Games in Atlanta. To date, the Olympic Games in the Americas have mostly been held in North America. A nation from South America has yet to host the event.

★ 'Argentina'

'Buenos Aires' was a candidate city for the 2004 Olympics, but lost hope of becoming an Olympic host after Argentina's economic crash. Buenos Aires however has Olympic bidding experience as it was a candidate city for the 1956, 1968 and 2004 Summer Games. Buenos Aires organized the 1st Pan American Games in 1951, and co-hosted the 12th Pan American Games in 1995 with the cities of Mar del Plata and La Plata. Argentina was host of the 1978 FIFA World Cup.

★ 'Canada'

Canada has hosted the Olympics before, including the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, and the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. Toronto and Montreal were offered possible bids for the 2012 Summer Olympics but the bids withdrew just after Vancouver won the rights to host the 2010 Winter Olympics in 2003. At 2016, Canada would have already hosted three Olympics and it is highly unlikely that Canada will put forth a bid for the 2016 Games, instead, settings its eyes on a future Olympiad.

★
★ 'Montreal'

During the 2005 World Aquatics Championships, Mayor Gerald Tremblay, as reported on the leading Olympics bid website on July 27, 2005,^[24] said Montreal would be interested in hosting the Olympic Games for a second time. There has not been any follow-ups on this statement. Since Tremblay's utterance, there have been no reports of any Quebec or federal politician, or any Canadian Olympic Committee official, making any noises at all about a Montreal bid, nor has there been any organization of a steering committee to develop a bid.

The city is also a bit wary of another Olympic bid, due to the bills that it was paying during more than 30 years after the 1976 Games.^[25] The Olympic Stadium in Montreal became known as the "Big Owe," signifying that it felt like a mistake. Still, the city does have the correct infrastructure and experience in place to hold such an event.

★
★ 'Toronto'

Despite the fact some felt London's win would "open the door" for a successful North American bid, Mayor David Miller later said the city was not interested in bidding for the 2016 Games.^[26] Toronto's assets include rich cultural diversity, waterfront location and tolerable summer weather. 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 or the World's Fair. However, Toronto recently failed to submit a bid to host the 2015 World's Fair. It was revealed in early July of 2007 that the Canadian Olympic Committee had begun work on a potential bid for the 2020 or 2024 games in Toronto.^[27]

★ 'Chile'

Fernando Eitel believes that IOC President Jacques Rogge wishes to see more developing nations play a part in hosting the Games, and that this desire would work in Chile's favour. The infrastructure of Chile's capital city, 'Santiago', is developing rapidly in terms of transportation (new subway lines, new airport terminals and urban highways), communications and has also made strides in solving its pollution issues.

Historically, Chile hosted the 1962 FIFA World Cup. Chile is referred to as one of the most prosperous of Latin American nations and would seem capable of holding a large sporting event.

★ 'Cuba'

Lack of infrastructure and venues, as well as the overall poverty level of the nation have been reasons why Cuba has not been successful to land on the shortlist for the 2008 bid. As well, 'Havana' did not put their name on the list of potential candidates for the 2012 Summer Olympics, although the Cuban Summer Olympics Committee may want to give a third try in 2016. It must also be noted that the U.S. embargo against Cuba might well prevent American athletes from participating. This would be a concern for the IOC not only due to the U.S.'s historically competitively strong presence at the Summer games, but also due to the television revenues that the U.S. media generates for the Olympics.

★

'Mexico'

Mexico is offering a bid featuring 'Monterrey', an unsuccessful candidate for the 2008 Summer Olympics ^[28]. This movement already has the support of important institutions such as ITESM, the University of Monterrey, and Fundidora Park. Monterrey has created a bidding logo for the event as well as a website (http://www.monterrey2016.org/) . Monterrey is the third largest Mexican city and one of the major economic hubs of Latin America, especially since the NAFTA treaty took effect in 1994 and its location 100 miles south of the US-Mexico border (the Rio Grande). Mexican officials feel that a 2020 bid is "more feasible", although a 2016 bid is not out of the question.^[29]

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 it never materialized into a serious bid due to serious political and security considerations.

★ 'Azerbaijan'

Due to its rising economy^[30], the city of 'Baku' has announced that it plans to bid for the Olympics.^[31] Initial studies suggest that the cost of hosting the 2016 Summer Olympic Games may be $20-billion. Chingiz Huseynzade, Chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan, told a press conference that a group of economists is working on this issue in July 2007.^[32]

★ 'Thailand'

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 co-hosted the 2007 Asian Cup of soccer with Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Notwithstanding, it is unclear what impact the 2006 Thailand coup d'état will have on the country's Olympic ambitions for 2016.

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. Serious confirmed interest in a bid comes from countries such as Italy, Germany, Spain and Turkey.

★ 'Italy'

Giovanna Melandri, Italy’s Sports Minister, announced on October 3, 2006, that 'Rome' will be Italy’s candidate for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Melandri said that following the success of the Turin 2006 Winter Games, Italy knows it has all it needs to host large events, adding that Rome will be as successful as Turin. Melandri’s announcement confirms contacts Rome’s Mayor Walter Veltroni made with businessmen and politicians in Italy trying to get their support for Rome’s 2016 bid. On July 11, 2006, Veltroni withdrew Rome’s bid as Italy’s candidate, saying that in his opinion the conditions were not right for a Rome bid at this time. Melandri said that on Wednesday they will present two motions in Parliament in support of Rome’s candidacy, adding it wouldn’t be easy to beat the competition, but not impossible. ^[33]

★ 'Portugal'

'Lisbon'^[34] is considering a 2016 bid, after having held the 2004 UEFA European Football Championship and the upcoming 2009 Lusophony Games.

★ 'Turkey'

Since 1992, 'Istanbul' has been 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.

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. There is a major issue with this, however, as the Olympic Constitution says that only one city, let alone nation, may host an Olympic Games (except in the case of a Winter Olympic Games host city having to expand to other locations to find more snow). 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 a third Summer Olympic event. Sydney was the host of the 2000 Summer Olympics and pledged in 2001 to hold the 2004 Summer Olympics if Athens, Greece wasn't able to financially support the games, but these games went on as scheduled in Athens. Not only Sydney, but 'Melbourne' the nation's second largest city, 'Brisbane', 'Perth' and 'Adelaide' are other potential sites. It has also been said that Australia's eyes are on both the 2016 games and the 2020 games and a possible bid for either the 2014 or 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Joint bids

Following the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan, jointly hosted by South Korea and Japan, some cities have discussed joint bids to host the Olympic Games. However, the IOC Charter, as stated on page 73, is clear: a single city is awarded the right to stage the Olympic Games.^[35]
This statement was overruled in 1956 however, as these Games were shared by Melbourne and Stockholm, due to Australia's quarantine rules on equestrian sports. As is the case for the upcoming 2008 Olympics where Hong Kong will be hosting equestrian events alongside Beijing, both cities from different National Olympic Committees.
Examples of joint bidding included a multi-national bid from the United States and Mexico. A website was launched to promote a San Diego-Tijuana bid, but this did not actually evolve into a serious bid.^[36]
The only loophole allowing a joint bid is where a winter sports nation without mountains seeks to host the Olympic Winter Games, as is the case when Austria was bidding for the 2014 Winter Games with a venue planned to be held in Germany. The IOC has entertained multinational bids for the Winter Games in the past but they have yet to be successful. An attempt by the 2010 Winter Games Organizers to refer to the event as "Vancouver-Whistler 2010" was rejected by officials, raising doubts as to whether the IOC is indeed open to joint bids.

References

1. 2016 Bid Process Launched
2. http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/past/index_uk.asp?OLGT=1&OLGY=1904
3. http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1184.html
4. http://sportsbiznews.blogspot.com/2007/01/and-2016-summer-olympics-will-be-held.html
5. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/olympics/chi-070516olympics,1,2544628.story?coll=chi-news-hed
6. Closing ceremony brings together all American nations
7. [1]
8. Após vestibular, Nuzman minimiza vilões do passado para 2016 '(Portuguese)'
9. http://www.gamesbids.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=1&id=1185898110
10. http://www.topix.net/soccer-fifa/2007/07/beautiful-game-rivals-the-games
11. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/front_page/6174007.stm
12. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/12/sports/ME_SPT_Asian_Games_Paying_Dividends.php
13. http://www.gamesbids.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=1&id=1165422389
14. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,901030908-480231,00.html
15. http://www.aipsmedia.com/index.php?page=news&cod=677&tp=n
16. Bid profile and fact sheet, 2016 Summer Olympic Bids, GamesBids.com, unknown date, accessed 12 Oct 2006
17. Japan chooses Tokyo for 2016 bid, ''BBC Sport''. August 30, 2006. Retrieved on August 30, 2006.
18. La Asamblea del COE dio su respaldo a la Candidatura de Madrid'16 (COE Assembly gives its endorsement for Madrid's 2016 Candidacy)
19. Rogge urges Africa to bid for 2016 Olympic Games, People's Daily Online, 13 Jan 2005, accessed 24 Jun 2006
20. Kenya plans to bid for 2016 Olympic Games, People's Daily Online, 13 Jan 2005, accessed 12 Oct 2006
21. Kenya Is Making A Surprise Bid For The 2016 Summer Olympic Games, GamesBids.com, 12 Jan 2005, accessed 12 Oct 2006
22. http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/3/3_11/kenya-not-ready-to-bid-fo.shtml
23. Durban to bid for the 2016 Olympics, iAfrica.com, 22 Jun 2006, accessed 24 Jun 2006
24. Montreal Contemplates Bid For 2016 Summer Olympic Games - GamesBids.com
25. Thirty years later, Montreal's Olympic Stadium has finally been paid off - CBC.ca
26. No Toronto bid for 2016 Games, mayor says - TheGlobeAndMail.com
27. Third time lucky for T.O. Games bid?, www.TheStar.com, July 10 2007
28. http://www.monterrey2016.org/
29. http://www.gamesbids.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=1&id=1152206978
30. http://www.wtop.com/?nid=393&sid=982329
31. http://www.baku.ru/pubs/ai/_en.php
32.
http://www.gamesbids.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=1&id=1184948499
33. Rome To Become Italy’s 2016 Olympic Bid Candidate, GamesBids.com, 3 Oct 2006, accessed 12 Oct 2006
34. http://www.gamesbids.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=1&id=1073493396
35. http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_122.pdf
36. The World's First Binational Olympics Proposed For Tijuana And San Diego - SanDiegometro.com

External links

★ International Olympic Committee

★ Tokyo - 2016

★ Chicago - 2016

★ Monterrey - 2016

★ Madrid - 2016

★ Rio de Janeiro - 2016 (non-official)