80 replies to this topic

[kernowboy]

We think of the likes of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago or maybe New York to host a Summer Games in the USA but what about Miami?

Climate
Miami averages 77.3 centigrade and 76.3 centrigrade in August and September respectively. LA is slightly cooler but Chicago is broadly the same if not slightly higher.

International recognition and infrastructure
Miami has a big a name internationally as any other city bar New York. It has an massive international airport as well as a major secondary airport at Fort Lauderdale. Miami is the HQ for the world's cruising industry,

Economy
Miami is catergorised as an Alpha City. CBS ranked it as the richest American city in 2009, and the fifth largest in the world in purchasing power. It has the largest concentration of international banks in the USA. More than 1,400 companies have their Latin American HQs in Miami and a large number of companies are HQ'd in Miami.

Tourism
Miami handles over 38million visitors annually and hosts numerous global events. It is also a regular host for the Super Bowl.

Sports facilities
Here is where Miami excels

• Sun Life Stadium - 75,200 seats
• Marlin Park - 37,000 seats
• American Airlines Arena - 19,600 seats
• FIU Stadium - 23,500 seats
• The Miami Conventions Center - 4 halls each with a capacity of 12,000 seats
• Tropical Park Center
• BankUnited Center - 8,000 seats
• US Century Bank Arena 6,000 seats

In Fort Lauderdale/Sunrise (35miles to the North)

• Lockhart Stadium - 20,450 seats
• Bank Atlantic Center - 19,250 seats

In Key Biscayne (11miles to the South)

• Tennis Center at Crandon Park - 13,300 seats

and Beach Volleyball on Miami Beach

There is no Olympic Stadium. However a new 80,000 seat stadium could become the home of either the Miami Dolphins (NFL) or Miami Hurricanes (NCAA) who currently share the Sun Life Stadium or could be down sized for a MLS Franchise. Whichever way, there would be a tennant.

If the USA decided to bid and Miami through its hat into the ring, what would be its chances?

[faster]

It suffers from the same problems as Houston. Exremely hot and humid, they get 9 inches of rain in August plus potential Hurricanes.

[kernowboy]

It suffers from the same problems as Houston. Exremely hot and humid, they get 9 inches of rain in August plus potential Hurricanes.

LA risk earthquakes but they've held it twice

[Athensfan]

I've actually kinda liked the idea of Miami for quite a while. I've heard it said that geography is against them and that Games-time transportation would be a nightmare, but I don't know if this is true. I've never been to Miami and don't know the city at all.

On the plus side, it has a very distinctive flavor and would certainly be a huge contrast to LA, Chicago, Atlanta. However, that Latin vibe isn't as different from Rio as some might wish. It's probably as close as we're likely to get to Havana Olympics.

The real question is whether Miami wants the Olympics. Bid leadership and public will is so essential. Even if they have a lot of key ingredients, without that talented, charismatic individual to lead a team of top-flight organizers, the bid won't have a chance.

I'd definitely be interested to see what they can come up with.

[emre]

if miami why not honolulu? im serious ...

[Athensfan]

if miami why not honolulu? im serious ...

This one has been addressed at length in other threads. It really is impossible. There isn't the corporate presence to support the Games. There aren't the venues. There isn't anywhere to build them and there isn't a post-Games need for them. It's a very fun sounding idea, but it's unworkable.

Miami, by contrast, has more venues, more space, more potential post-Games use. Being part of the continental United States, they could also draw from a variety of corporations headquartered in Florida and the South.

[intoronto]

Miami was interested in the Pan Ams maybe that first then the Olympics.

[NY20??]

I've actually kinda liked the idea of Miami for quite a while. I've heard it said that geography is against them and that Games-time transportation would be a nightmare, but I don't know if this is true. I've never been to Miami and don't know the city at all.

It's a nightmare to get around Miami without a car. And the highways can get pretty clogged during rush hours.

And by Miami, I mean Miami-Dade county which for all intensive purposes is Miami.

[faster]

LA risk earthquakes but they've held it twice

There is like 40 tropical storms a year. Earthquakes localized on a single location are rare.

Edited by faster, 16 April 2012 - 05:01 PM.

[stryker]

The biggest obstacle to a Miami bid is the transportation issue, even more so than the weater IMO. It's a nightmare as has been mentioned. There have been proposals for an extended light rail system but with all the fear about government spending that has fallen through the cracks. On the plus size, the venues are there. I'd also add to the list the Palm Beach Polo and Country Club which would be an ideal setting for equestrian and there's the U.S. Sailing Center which is an official Olympic training site. Another advantage a Miami bid could have is the oft troubled Olympic Stadium. One could be built on the campus of the University of Miami and turned over to the school after the Olympics as a permanent on-campus home for the Miami Hurricanes. The Hurricanes have not played on campus since the demolition of the Orange Bowl. Sun Life Stadium is set to get a major renovation including a roof so the Dolphins won't be needing a new place anytime soon.