21 replies to this topic

[baron-pierreIV]

At least Kim Jong Il of the Sacred, Benevolent, Blessed DPRK was polite enough in asking, nay demanding, some events for 1988; and Seoul was actually willing to give them one or 2 football venues. But I think they wanted more. So a joint demo-totalo Olympic Games may have happened first in Korea before these pie-in-the-sky dreams for such a joint Berlin bid. At least you guys got the distinction of being the first to field a joint team for Opening over those wild-and-crazy Koreans.

[FYI]

Sir Rols, on 29 August 2010 - 12:40 AM, said:

I was trying to find some reference to the speculations I mentioned earlier, about a joint Berlin bid in the days of divided Germany. I seem to think it was probably around the time of Ronnie's visit to Berlin and his "Mr Gorbachev, tear down this Wall!" speech. I'll keep looking.

In the meantime, I came across this item - a bit of nostalgia (especially JAS's predictions of the hostings ahead!): Unity: Four West German sites would withdraw applications if Berlin sought the Games. Juan Antonio Samaranch calls such a move a 'symbol of peace.'

It's always interesting to read in hindsight articles like these when we all know now how the Olympic calender actually panned-out for certain Games years. Would've been interesting to see how that scenario would've played out if Berlin had bid for 2004 instead of 2000 like they intially planned, but looks like JAS got them to do so earlier.

Which "sentimental" factor woulda had more pull? Going back to the "Birthplace" of the Olympics (after already a failed 1996 bid), or going back to the capital of a growing, newer, reunified Germany? Would the Berlin opposition been as great for '04 as it was for '00, or would it had calmed some? Would the rest of the membership been as interested in Berlin as seemingly JAS was? ohh, the shoulda, coulda, wouldas. Reminds me of a thread tnmp did a few years back, titled "alternate Olympic History", or something along those lines. That was an interesting & fun one to read.

[baron-pierreIV]

FYI, on 29 August 2010 - 08:35 AM, said:

Reminds me of a thread tnmp did a few years back, titled "alternate Olympic History", or something along those lines. That was an interesting & fun one to read.

Unless TNMP actually started another one...but, and I'll take credit where credit is due...I actually started one topic based on the premise of "If Athens had actually won for 1996," then how the stack of dominoes would've fallen in the ensuing cycles.

Edited by baron-pierreIV, 29 August 2010 - 08:50 AM.

[FYI]

Lol, maybe it was you then. Just so many threads over the years to keep properly in the memory banks.

[baron-pierreIV]

Here it is:

http://www.gamesbids...__1

And it was just about 6 years ago. OMG! How time has flown!!

Edited by baron-pierreIV, 29 August 2010 - 08:49 AM.

[FYI]

so funny that you had to ask rol was his avatar was in that one. And damn, you're right. where does the time go!

[baron-pierreIV]

But there was another thread where one poster had Paris winning 2x or 3x in a row for previous slights when it should've gotten the Games. I thought that one was golden.

[LuigiVercotti]

baron-pierreIV, on 29 August 2010 - 08:14 AM, said:

At least Kim Jong Il of the Sacred, Benevolent, Blessed DPRK was polite enough in asking, nay demanding, some events for 1988; and Seoul was actually willing to give them one or 2 football venues. But I think they wanted more. So a joint demo-totalo Olympic Games may have happened first in Korea before these pie-in-the-sky dreams for such a joint Berlin bid. At least you guys got the distinction of being the first to field a joint team for Opening over those wild-and-crazy Koreans.

Hey Baron...what about the Australasian team that marched in Stockholm...doesn't that by default predate either the Germans or the Koreans when it comes to two separate nations marching under the same unified team? Or conversely considering that the DDR's separate NOC from that of the FRG wasn't actually recognised by the IOC till 1965 then the unified German team in fact represented only one NOC, which is different to what the Koreans did?

[baron-pierreIV]

eusebius65, on 29 August 2010 - 09:17 AM, said:

Hey Baron...what about the Australasian team that marched in Stockholm...doesn't that by default predate either the Germans or the Koreans when it comes to two separate nations marching under the same unified team? Or conversely considering that the DDR's separate NOC from that of the FRG wasn't actually recognised by the IOC till 1965 then the unified German team in fact represented only one NOC, which is different to what the Koreans did?

What Australasian team? Tell us about it. Was there a breakaway faction of Oz that the outside world does no know about?

[LuigiVercotti]

baron-pierreIV, on 29 August 2010 - 11:24 AM, said:

What Australasian team? Tell us about it. Was there a breakaway faction of Oz that the outside world does no know about?

Here's the wikipedia entry:

Australasia at the 1912 Summer Olympics

There's also a detailed entry at the AOc's website here and in the Harry Gordon boom 'Australia and the Olympic Games' which I have in my collection there is a photo of the contingent marching in with what appears an Australia flag but Australasia on the team placard. There was a joint team also in London 1908 but I'm unsure as to the ceremonies aspect.