69 replies to this topic

[Mikel]

Suit U Sir !!!, on Feb. 17 2006,04:51, said:

November 2006

Thanks! So we're now in the heat of the race! :grinning:

[Olympian2004]

I also guess that Brisbane will be a very strong contender. At the latest since the Sydney Olympics, Australia has an excellent reputation as organiser of major sports events.

But for me, the main question is: Why the hell aren't the Americans considering a bid for the IAAF world champs? They are the most successful nation in athletics by far -- and so they're actually the natural host for the world champs.

[baron-pierreIV]

Olympian2004, on Feb. 20 2006,15:45, said:

Why the hell aren't the Americans considering a bid for the IAAF world champs? They are the most successful nation in athletics by far -- and so they're actually the natural host for the world champs.

I think for what the IAAF 'requests' in terms of facilities, hotel rooms, etc., US Track & Field can find no city that will put up a solvent World Track Championships -- with the main requirement being a state-of-the-art stadium.  UST&F likes to go to UC-Davis and/or Eugene for its annual meets; but these college settings are not big enough for the IAAF World Championships which would at least require a Denver, an Indiannapolis or Minn. to stage.  

We're barely getting one for the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships.  Plus, I think the "visa" thing is discouraging the cities.

[Suit U Sir !!!]

Olympian2004, on Feb. 22 2006,08:47, said:

And what about the QSAC (former QE II) Stadium? It already hosted the Commonwealth and Goodwill Games and has a track. What's wrong with it?

Brisbane's only real strength is the fact that Aus (and the southern hemisphere) have never hosted, so it would be taking the championships to new frontiers (like Edmonton in 2001).

But the problem is that it all comes down to what alternatives are on offer to the IAAF.

I'm sure that the stadiums in Brisbane are adequate to host a world athletics championships with some refurbishing done prior to 2011. Helsinki's 2005 stadium was nothing special, with only 40,000 seats (of which only 25,000) were available to the public, but it was adequate.

But if another city puts forward a bid with a brand new, visually appealing athletics stadium which can hold something around 60-80,000, then why should the IAAF pick Brisbane and settle for the bare minimum, when it can have better facilities in another city?

Why should the IAAF settle for just the bare minimum, when there's far better on offer? Why settle for a ham sandwich, when there's caviar on offer?

[wamel042]

I think Amsterdam (the old olympic stadium) would be great.



Maybey some temporary upgrade (about 20.000 seats), but then surely magnificent World Championships!

[arwebb]

Superb stadium, but with Osaka hosting 2007 it'll probably be a while before it gets its chance.

[Suit U Sir !!!]

Just wondering, why have the following cities not bid to host the IAAF world athletics championships, which were held in Helsinki this year.
I think each of these cities would have a strong bid, and they already have existing stadiums (or stadiums in the pipeline)  which would be very suitable for the event ie....

Sydney (Telstra stadium: 83,000)
Kuala Lumpar (National stadium: 100,000)
Istanbul (Ataturk stadium: 82,000)
Los Angeles (Memorial Colisuem: 92,000)
Houston (Reliant Park: 69,500)
Madrid (Estadio La Peineta: 66,000- 73,700)
Moscow (Luzhniki Olympic Stadium: 80,000)
Rio De Janiero (The João Havelange Stadium: 45,000)
Johannesburg (Soccer City: 94,000)- completion in April 2007

I think each of these cities would have a strong bid.

[Suit U Sir !!!]

Eruedan, on Dec. 22 2005,09:35, said:

- The track was ripped up from Telstra Stadium after the Olympics and would be a fairly major job to put it back in and I don't think the NSW Government/Sydney City Council really have the motivation to host a major event so soon after 2000. Likewise for Los Angeles.

- Jo'burg and Houston are rectangular stadiums and would have to take seats out and put a track on a platform to fit it in.

- Correct me if I'm wrong but I didn't think that Rio's stadium was finished yet either.

Correct- Rio's stadium isn't finished yet, and will be done so in time for the 2007 Pan Americans.

I think if Rio, Johannesburg or Sydney were to bid they would be strong bids as the championships have not been held in the southern hemisphere so the IAAF would be keen for a new frontier just like Edmonton 2001 was the first time the event was held in North America.

I know that if Sydney wanted to host them then the  Telstra stadium would be appropriate as the bottom tier moves backwards, enabling cricket matches to be held at that stadium and of course an athletics track to be installed. At least thats what the tour guide said when I vdid the stadium tour in May 2004.

Johannesburg could use Ellis park (60,000) or the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, which will be used to host football matches in the 2010 world cup.

The stadium is situated in Rustenburg (90 minutes drive from Johannesburg). It already has an athletics track, and the capacity iis being increase to 40,000

[Eruedan]

Melbourne would make a great host. Pity that the track will be ripped up after the Commonwealth Games.

[Aronious]

Melbourne is preety much a no go zone after 2006, after the World Cycling Champs, World Gymnastics Champs, FINA 2007 and the Commonwealths the city would be all "evented" out.

Im guessing Brisbane would be the strongest Australian candidate though it will need to built or renovate a stadium.

Adelaide is to crap, likewise Canberra and Hobart.

Perth will have a new 40,000seat athletics venue at Perry Lakes by 2010 so maybe an option.

A bid for the indoor version at Sydney's SuperDome, Brisbane's Convention Centre (not sure of dimensions) or Perths planned Arena.

I would love to see the Championship in Madrid or maybe somewhere smaller like Liepzig. A new stadium in New York (following the Queens plan)  could benifit a US 2016 Olympic bid, likewise Capetown.