Zero info poll - who will win 2014?

[thatsnotmypuppy]

Without any real bid plans available (I guess we can use Salzburg, PC and Jaca's 2010 ideas) who do you think just from pure guesswork will win if the vote was held immediately?

Would Annecy win because Paris fell?  Is it all about Korea - even though "favourites" tend to fail..  Will Jaca open up a Pyrenee Victoree?  

Sure, not all the above cities will actually bid, but have fun!

[baron-pierreIV]

Definitely HAVANA.  Best mojitos and 1955 Fords over there!!

[thatsnotmypuppy]

I went for Istanbul - the Olympic Law should force winter and summer bids - sure they cant really host the winter Games, but I wanna see the dicky logo with 2014 on it too!

Actually here is my take on it...

[Kenadian]

Ah, you left out Sofia.  You'll Rue McClanahan the day you did that...

Wikipedia has a fun little list which includes a Turkish possibility.

Wikipedia 2014 article

[thatsnotmypuppy]

Totally on purpose - I dont rate their chances above, say Havana.  Whats the point, ya know?

[Aronious]

hopefully Slazburg... or else.

That or Munich.

Though the IOC may just give it to France, just to get them off their case for a while..

WHY WHY WHY YOU ASK!

[baron-pierreIV]

Ah, you left out Sofia.  You'll Rue McClanahan the day you did that...

Good graphic.  

(I loved that show.  I wonder how it played in Havana.)

[rjmac]

For some reason, I am voting for Jaca on this one.....

If there was a conspiracy for the 2012 election.  You can be rest assured that there will be a payback in this election.  Jaca is in Spain and you know that the British and their supporters will be voting on Jaca for their votes for London.

Wait and see

[Cordelia18]

I dont know which city will win in 2014, but I know those who deserve to win; let's examine carefully one by one who truly deserves the Games:

-Annecy? YES AND YES!! it's a wonderful place to go in winter, which is already provided in all the necessary and recquired venues to host and organize great games. All those who have already been there know how unforgettable are the vacation you spend there. Its geographical location in the Alps, close to Italy, Austria ,Switzerland and Germany is another big advantage for Annecy, as well the experience and French know-how already displayed in Albertville 1992. Annecy would all the more deserve the games after Paris's disgraceful defeat against London because of dubious methods.

-Sarajevo? FOR THE MOMENT, NO in my opinion, since it's still too early for this country who's still suffering the aftermath of Balkan war's tragedies. Too many things would be missing for this city to have the games: security, a reliable urban transports web, modern venues... But in the future, this city, that already has organized successful games in 1984, after having fully recovered could perfectly host games again. There's a big sport tradition in Bosnia, and the games in Sarajevo would be a logical consequence of the development and growth of Eastern Europe occuring nowadays.

-Istanbul? NO: Come on.... ??? let's be serious a moment...Winter games in Turkey??!

-Pyongcheang? NO: I know this might be surprising but let me remember you that we're talking about those who DESERVE the games: the city could for sure TECHNICALLY host of the games, but I'm not sure we could have in Pyongcheang this "magic and enchanting" side that makes all the beauty of winter games. First, Pyongcheang isnt a reknown ski resort and the Korean tradition in winter sports isnt what we could call...developed. Korean people apparently dont attach much importance to winter sports and they're not as widely practiced as in Europe or Northern America. Moreover, Pyongcheang is geographically very remote and isolated, which isnt compatible with an international event such as the Olympic games.

-Salzburg? YES, although I've been trying hard I see no reason why Salzburg shouldnt have the games in 2014. Well located, in a country that has always shown its interest in winter sports (and which is furthermore, beautiful, which isnt that important but which adds something!), Salzburg could perfectly host the games. I personally was astounded when they lost after 1st round for 2010 (I even thought they would win). Modern venues, romantic and lyric background, prestigious culture (be it in terms of music or culinary etc..) rich historical background, and a snow said to be one of the best of the world: Salzburg would definitely make a great olympic city.

-Jaca? NO; I'm taking the risk of attracting on me many attacks cause there seems to be many Jaca fans in here but let me tell you that I can't understand the enthusiasm that this candidate provoke. Spain could host wonderful SUMMER games, but I'm afraid the Spanish facilities considering winter sports are still too undeveloped and, since they're not even used to welcoming many tourists coming there to practice winter sports (they'd rather go to the beach or to big cities), I dont know how they could host the whole world for the olympics. Where do people go when they want to go a great ski resort offering them convenient facilities, quality service, comfortable and luxurious hotels and restaurants, good snow and a large choice of winter activities provided by modern venues and experimented people? Sorry, but not Spain. The city that will organize the games in 2014 will also have to be city easy to reach: who knew where Jaca was before its candidature to the 2010 games (except the Spaniards of course)? I know some of you will be in bad faith, but let's try to be honest: nobody. Not to mention the weak knowledge and interest of the Spaniards in winter sports who much prefer football or tennis (i know some spaniards myself),The truth is that there so many other places in the world that are much more suitable than Spain to host winter games.

-Havana? Is it necessary to talk about a city that wont even make the short-list? :laugh:

I'm not crticizing or despising this kinda cities though, it adds

a "tropical" and "quaint" side to the olympic race which I find really delightful  

-Tromso? YES! Everytime a Norwegian city bids for winter games, it's the promise of enchanting and successful games. How could a country like Norway, which is in itself already magic and full of wonders (you realize that especially when you go there in winter)not organize great winter games? A safe country (one of the safest of the world), modern venues (remember those who host Lillehammer 1994?), a very high winter sports culture among its inhabitants, that are morevoer welcoming and full of hospitality, and a fighting spirit which brings a lot of medals to Norway at every winter games and which could be boosted if the games are in Norway. So I just have one sentance to say: "Jeg elsker Norsk"!!

  So if you sum things up - Annecy and Tromso - mostly deserve the games in my opinion. Salzburg is my third favourite. I'm not saying this 'll be the result, but what I'd like:

1- Annecy

2- Tromso

3- Salzburg

This is just my opinion (and it is my right to have one) and I know some wont like it, some other will, but it any case let me tell you that this analysis lies on undeniable FACTS, which enabled me to make this analysis.

[Cordelia18]

Oh and I completely forgot Sofia who is a candidate isnt it?

-Sofia? NO. Eastern Europe countries are curently capable of organizing games, but if there's a country we can't entrust with such an important task, it undoubtedly is Bulgaria. Sofia is an Eastern city which doesnt have, like Budapest, Warsaw the capacity to host the games: its urban transports web is really dilapidated, many Bulagarians still live under the poverty threshold (and can we organize an event of such importance in such a context, or should a government spend millions of dollars to host the games when it is not even rich enough to feed all its inhabitants?) and the most serious problem of course deals with the venues. Most of Bulgaria's stadiums haven't been renovated for years (for obvious reasons of money) and it would be a real blow given to olympism and a disaster if the games were to be given to Sofia.

-The Georgian city (can't even remember its name): Well...the fact that I can't even remember the name of the city says it all... :sleepy:  ...Does the Georgian Olympic committee know that it's not enough to host winter games to be a city located in a mountainous region? Do they know you have to have reliable and suitable venues and many other things? Every city has the right to bid and to be a candidate but I think this kind of candidates should not be so numerous: the Olympics Games are something serious... :hmm: ..

    Why not: Racht 2014? Never heard of Racht? Me either. It's a city in Iran I've just found by looking on a map; it's also located in a mountainous region but that DOESNT mean this city could honestly organize games. This is starting to be ridiculous...

[Surferdude]

So this would be nothing to do with Annecy being French? No course not, what a thought!

COS IT WON'T HAVE A CAT IN HELL'S CHANCE OF WINNING AFTER ALL THE WHINGERS FROM PARIS HAVE ACCUSED THE IOC OF AN UNFAIR CONTEST. YOU MAKE YOUR BED AND YOU LIE IN IT -THAT'S HOW IT WORKS.

[frenchnounours]

i repat myself in saying only paris mayor accuse IOC

the rest of french deleghation just says they are sad to not bring games to paris

[Cordelia18]

So this would be nothing to do with Annecy being French? No course not, what a thought!

COS IT WON'T HAVE A CAT IN HELL'S CHANCE OF WINNING AFTER ALL THE WHINGERS FROM PARIS HAVE ACCUSED THE IOC OF AN UNFAIR CONTEST. YOU MAKE YOUR BED AND YOU LIE IN IT -THAT'S HOW IT WORKS.

   Come on surferdude, let's be serious for a moment and let's try not to be childish. Of course there's not relation between my analysis and the fact Annecy's French. I also gave my full support to Salzburg and Tromso.

    Let me also remind you that no one has blamed the WHOLE IOC for London's (successful) corruption attempt. Since 50 members voted for Paris, we can indeed say that at least half of the IOC is honest. I assume it's even more than just half of the Committee, since not all the members who voted for London were corrupted, but only a part of them (a part that was large enough to take the games away from us).    

      So let's say about 1/3 was corrupted in this affair. That doesnt mean we have stopped believing in the IOC and that those who were corrupted for 2012 are still going to be corrupted for 2014. We have good hope that this time our opponents will be fair, straight, and behave like true gentlemen so that there will be no corruption attempt on the IOC members.

      We haven't called the IOC an organisation of cheaters and crooks: we just lament on the fact that  A WEAK MINORITY in it doesnt follow the rules. The IOC has understood that perfectly. It seems like u haven't  

So again: GO ANNECY, SALZBURG or TROMSO 2014!

[Rob2012]

So long as you maintain that London's victory is anything other than well earnt nobody on these boards will take you seriously, and nobody will take lessons from you in "not being childish".

You are the only person on these forums who believes this corruption nonsense. Not one single Gamesbids member has begrudged London their victory - even our French members have congratulated London. You're in a minority of 1.

[Surferdude]

So this would be nothing to do with Annecy being French? No course not, what a thought!

COS IT WON'T HAVE A CAT IN HELL'S CHANCE OF WINNING AFTER ALL THE WHINGERS FROM PARIS HAVE ACCUSED THE IOC OF AN UNFAIR CONTEST. YOU MAKE YOUR BED AND YOU LIE IN IT -THAT'S HOW IT WORKS.

   Come on surferdude, let's be serious for a moment and let's try not to be childish. Of course there's not relation between my analysis and the fact Annecy's French. I also gave my full support to Salzburg and Tromso.

    Let me also remind you that no one has blamed the WHOLE IOC for London's (successful) corruption attempt. Since 50 members voted for Paris, we can indeed say that at least half of the IOC is honest. I assume it's even more than just half of the Committee, since not all the members who voted for London were corrupted, but only a part of them (a part that was large enough to take the games away from us).    

      So let's say about 1/3 was corrupted in this affair. That doesnt mean we have stopped believing in the IOC and that those who were corrupted for 2012 are still going to be corrupted for 2014. We have good hope that this time our opponents will be fair, straight, and behave like true gentlemen so that there will be no corruption attempt on the IOC members.

      We haven't called the IOC an organisation of cheaters and crooks: we just lament on the fact that  A WEAK MINORITY in it doesnt follow the rules. The IOC has understood that perfectly. It seems like u haven't  

So again: GO ANNECY, SALZBURG or TROMSO 2014!

I was being serious.The IOC doesn't take kindly to people calling it "corrupted" and is unlikely to be receptive to another French bid which has the potential to be a sore loser or be an awkward partner to work with. You are doing your country's pursuit of an Olympic Games no good at all. If you and other perpetuate this, then you will have nobody but yourselves to blame for another failed bid attempt. And you will deserve it too.

Your analysis is fatally flawed anyway. You're expecting people to believe that the members of the IOC who are corrupt are the ones that didn't vote for Paris. (I ask you!!)What a deluded stupid person you are. So, as soon as someone voted for Paris then they were  honest, but if they didn't they were currupt! I've never heard such a load of tosh in all my life.

Why couldn't it be that the majority of IOC members thought that Paris's bid was not as good as London's? Your arrogance is incredible, unbelievable.

[Cordelia18]

So long as you maintain that London's victory is anything other than well earnt nobody on these boards will take you seriously, and nobody will take lessons from you in "not being childish".

You are the only person on these forums who believes this corruption nonsense. Not one single Gamesbids member has begrudged London their victory - even our French members have congratulated London. You're in a minority of 1.

      I'm not holding any grudge against London, they used their methods to win and we accept our defeat but just wont congratulate them. I am happy for them, but I am not hypocrite and congratulate you: that would be treating you as honest winners.

     What I say has ALSO been said by The Guardian, which is a serious English paper, by many members of the French Committee and by many journalists who witnessed the secret meetings between Blair, Coe and IOC members. I'm far from being a minority of one.

       Now I was just trying to get over it and talk about the 2014 olympics but it seems like some people absolutely want me to assert that London did win cleanely. I just won't. So there's no point in insisting, let's just get over it.

[Cordelia18]

So this would be nothing to do with Annecy being French? No course not, what a thought!

COS IT WON'T HAVE A CAT IN HELL'S CHANCE OF WINNING AFTER ALL THE WHINGERS FROM PARIS HAVE ACCUSED THE IOC OF AN UNFAIR CONTEST. YOU MAKE YOUR BED AND YOU LIE IN IT -THAT'S HOW IT WORKS.

   Come on surferdude, let's be serious for a moment and let's try not to be childish. Of course there's not relation between my analysis and the fact Annecy's French. I also gave my full support to Salzburg and Tromso.

    Let me also remind you that no one has blamed the WHOLE IOC for London's (successful) corruption attempt. Since 50 members voted for Paris, we can indeed say that at least half of the IOC is honest. I assume it's even more than just half of the Committee, since not all the members who voted for London were corrupted, but only a part of them (a part that was large enough to take the games away from us).    

      So let's say about 1/3 was corrupted in this affair. That doesnt mean we have stopped believing in the IOC and that those who were corrupted for 2012 are still going to be corrupted for 2014. We have good hope that this time our opponents will be fair, straight, and behave like true gentlemen so that there will be no corruption attempt on the IOC members.

      We haven't called the IOC an organisation of cheaters and crooks: we just lament on the fact that  A WEAK MINORITY in it doesnt follow the rules. The IOC has understood that perfectly. It seems like u haven't  

So again: GO ANNECY, SALZBURG or TROMSO 2014!

I was being serious.The IOC doesn't take kindly to people calling it "corrupted" and is unlikely to be receptive to another French bid which has the potential to be a sore loser or be an awkward partner to work with. You are doing your country's pursuit of an Olympic Games no good at all. If you and other perpetuate this, then you will have nobody but yourselves to blame for another failed bid attempt. And you will deserve it too.

Your analysis is fatally flawed anyway. You're expecting people to believe that the members of the IOC who are corrupt are the ones that didn't vote for Paris. (I ask you!!)What a deluded stupid person you are. So, as soon as someone voted for Paris then they were  honest, but if they didn't they were currupt! I've never heard such a load of tosh in all my life.

Why couldn't it be that the majority of IOC members thought that Paris's bid was not as good as London's? Your arrogance is incredible, unbelievable.

    Oh it seems like I have hit a nerve surferdude...You're losing patience and you're becoming rude  :laugh:  what a pity...

    Did you actually read carefully what I said? Or are you just trying to manipulate my words? I'm going to write again what I said, word by word :

    "....not all the members who voted for London were corrupted, but only a part of them - a part that was large enough to take the games away from us." That's why I said that less of the half of the IOC was corrupted for these games. Got it?

  As for Paris I indeed believe that the members who voted for Paris weren't corrupted since we never broke the rules or used any dubious method. We're the ones that are supposed to hold a grudge against you since we've been fooled, and now you're holding a grudge against us for pointing out the truth. We did what we had to do by denouncing what you did, now let's just get over it and concentrate on 2014!

[Rob2012]

We did what we had to do by denouncing what you did, now let's just get over it and concentrate on 2014!

Good idea. It's clear your mind won't be changed (and neither will mine or Surferdude's btw). Let's forget these conspiracy theories, agree to disagree, and talk about something else.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Do you think the moon landings were faked?

No, only kidding...back on topic...

Would the French be happy with another 'consolation' Winter Games or should they concentrate on mounting a stronger summer bid for the 2020s and stay out of bidding for a few years? If the French really want the Summer Games will the WOGs really satisfy them?

[Cordelia18]

Would the French be happy with another 'consolation' Winter Games or should they concentrate on mounting a stronger summer bid for the 2020s and stay out of bidding for a few years? If the French really want the Summer Games will the WOGs really satisfy them?

    We for sure would be happy with the winter games. I personally prefer winter games (for I like figure skating, and fast sports such as bobsleigh or hockey), even if my sport is horseback riding. But unfortunately Annecy might not bid for 2014 which would be a mistake in my opinion cause it really had great chances to win. Again, Salzburg or Tromso's victory would be great too.

[lrd1rocha]

I almost voted Istanbul because of the "Like Greece, but with less attitude" banner.    Anyway, I voted for Annency, I am pretty sure that some in the IOC (especially several European members) will be eager to get rid of Paris with a second Albertville. They could attempt to do the same with Jaca, but Jaca is....Jaca (I actually found out about that city because of its failed bids).

[lrd1rocha]

Bah! Annency is not going to bid. I was expecting Albertville deux!