48 replies to this topic

[The_Torch]

I've just been reviewing the Olympic bids of the past, and to my surprise discovered that Detroit lost it's bid for the Olympic games 7 times!!  :oh:  :down:

They lost in:

1944
1952
1956
1960
1964
1968
1972

Poor old Detroit. They must have been near suicidle by 1972!  Can any of our American members elaborate?

[baron-pierreIV]

I have seen some of their plans (the ones for the 60s); and they were quite impressive (I mean people here who are bowled over by snazzy perspectives, would positively have an orgasm w/ some of the Detroit Olympic Park plans).  

A Detroit bid never advanced because:
1.  I don't think the bid could guarantee US gov't funds -- w/o which the Euro-centric old school IOC wouldn't touch it.
2.  Avery Brundage never give it a leg up either;
3.  Detroit isn't exactly even a poor man's San Francisco.

[SOlympiadsW]

The_Torch, on July 11 2005,16:48, said:

It's a shame. It sounds like the city could have done with the legacy.  :down:

Isn't detroit renound for making cars?

Is it still possible for Detroit to put in a future bid or would USOC discount them?

Yes, Detroit is known for it's many car factories....

I am afraid the USOC would be quick to dismiss a bid from Detroit against cities like NYC, SF, LA, Washington D.C., and many others......

[baron-pierreIV]

nykfan845, on July 11 2005,17:28, said:

I'm still surprised at how Detroit has gotten the MLB All-Star Game and the Super Bowl.

Those are 1-game, indoor events.  They are insulated/isolated from the real Detroit outside.  

Don't worry, even the USOC won't go there again.

[baron-pierreIV]

ryan04, on July 11 2005,23:44, said:

wat is even in Detriot other than cars

It's NOT all blighted.  

- There is the Silverdome where the FIRST indoor matches of a World Cup were staged at WC-USA '94.  

- There is Wayne State University which has a fine medical center.  

- I think they had the Republican Convention there in the 2nd Reagan term.  (Go check - I'm too lazy.)  

- There is Grosse Pointe which is the Beverly Hills of Detroit where all the Fords and the rich founding families of GM and Chrysler live(d).

[Apple]

When I think of Detroit I come up with

Goin' ridin' on the freeway of love
In my pink cadillac
Goin' ridin' on the freeway of love

[LuigiVercotti]

Kendegra, on July 12 2005,16:02, said:

Why its home to Henry Ford, 8 Mile Road, Eminem, Madonna and Aretha Franklin.

How can you forget the empire that was Barry Gordy's, i.e. Motown Records? The Four Tops, The Supremes, MarthaRaye & The Vandellas, Martvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Temptations...if Detroit is only known ever for that legacy then that's all they need!

[LA84]

It's an interesting question because before 1968, Detroit was a very wealthy industrial town and had a lot of culture going for it.  After the riots, however, everyone fled to the suburbs. Add to that the collapse of the Big Three automakers because of the imports and the demise of companies such as Packard and you have the depressed Detroit of today.

I think the reason is that the United States was not generating as much money for the IOC until the 1970's.  Even with Detoit's own Avery Brundage as IOC president the best he could do was Squaw Valley during his reign.  Also don't forget that travel in the early part of the century was very expensive and Europe was still in a depressed state after World War II so a U.S. Olympics at that time was very cost prohibitive for many countries.

However, an Olympics in Detroit now would really be beneficial to the city.  They are trying to rebuild themselves and have snagged such premier events as this years All Star Game and the Super Bowl. And the new Ford Field is awesome! There is a resurgance downtown that is taking off so maybe in another 20 years or so there might be another bid from them.

[baron-pierreIV]

jimmyc, on July 13 2005,12:55, said:

One correction; Avery Brundage was from Chicago, not Detroit. Douglas Roby was the IOC member from Detroit.

Maybe that's the reason why Brundage never backed a Detroit bid, a la Samaranch-Spain:  Detroit would get all the glory over the big C.