Sir Rols Posted September 19, 2009 Report Share Posted September 19, 2009 Rogge has publicly announced that the IOC are fully satisfied with Chicago's guarantees. The financial issue was, without question, Chicago's biggest weakness and now it is not an issue at all. Furthermore, Rogge added that various sources of tension between the IOC and the USOC have been resolved -- most notably the concerns regarding an Olympic network. Add to this the possibility that Obama may be planning a surprise appearance and there is no question that Chicago is building STRONG MOMENTUM. I agree with you. For the past few weeks the momentum has indeed been behind Chicago. Even the "will-he-or-won't-he" speculation about Obama seems, rather than a negative, to be keeping Chicago bid at the chief spotlight. I also wish I could find the quote now, I kick myself now I didn't post it at the time, but (believe me), I did read a wire story just the other day quoting an "un-named" IOC member who was speculating that Rio had had the early wind, but since the Eval Report, the wind seems to have died. Two weeks ago I would have put money on it (and did) that Rio was a lay-down lock - now the race is definitely tightening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Rols Posted September 19, 2009 Report Share Posted September 19, 2009 Ah, here's that quote: "Obama's support has always been there and is hardly shocking. Also without the signing of the 'Host City Agreement' they might as well not have shown up in Copenhagen," another source close to the IOC told AFP.Rio, who are seen as the main rivals to Chicago with Tokyo and Madrid struggling to make inroads although the first round vote could change all that, have been making the running but all of a sudden the wind may have gone out of their sails and the notion that taking the Games to new territory may not play so hard with their eclectic electorate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rafa Posted September 19, 2009 Report Share Posted September 19, 2009 True. While Rio remains "ahead" in my bid index, Chicago has caught up and is doing a London at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim jones Posted September 20, 2009 Report Share Posted September 20, 2009 I agree with you. For the past few weeks the momentum has indeed been behind Chicago. Even the "will-he-or-won't-he" speculation about Obama seems, rather than a negative, to be keeping Chicago bid at the chief spotlight.I also wish I could find the quote now, I kick myself now I didn't post it at the time, but (believe me), I did read a wire story just the other day quoting an "un-named" IOC member who was speculating that Rio had had the early wind, but since the Eval Report, the wind seems to have died. Two weeks ago I would have put money on it (and did) that Rio was a lay-down lock - now the race is definitely tightening. I think roltel with a race very close no one is going to sustain a lead for very long . I am sure it will come down to the actions on the ground in Denmark or these last minute moves in the press may indeed mean little if most of the IOc members have their minds made up. It will be the reaction of what the first vote reveals. If Rio is out in Front on the first Ballot then I think is it difficult for Chicago. If rio is only slightly behind then I think you will see Madrid voters lining up behind Rio and possibly overtake Chicago. Now the talk is of Obama's advance people scoping out the president making an appearance. If Chicago is that dependent on the President showing up considering what a games would mean for increased revenues for the IOC post ever american Staged games then the inside info Ryan and Company may be that Chicago is behind further then we think. Suddenly there is a flury of White House Activity on this and it does not look like it was planned but rather improvised at the last minute. I am supporting Rio of Course but I cannot believe they would get the Front runner Status considering the opponent of Chicago . Rio from what I see has gotten that status more from the USOC 's faux paus then anything . no Candidate from the US for the summer games has gotten pass the early rounds unless they go on to win like Atlanta did . Atlanta really won by default opposing places that had badly timed bids . Canada was not going to repeat the summer games 20 years after Montreal . Europe was not going to stage back to back 1992 and 1996. This would not do anything but have NBC pour money down a drain for 1996 and Melbourne was the same thing for the timezones. Instead Atlanta pushed the TV rights up post 1996 to the delite of the IOc of course. 2016 Rio is not in Toronto 1996 shoes or Athens 96 , Belgrade 96 , Manchester 96 or Melbourne 96. Rio would be just as profitable for NBC or the US Tv Rights holder as Chicago would be because of live coverage in Prime time for the Eastern Seaboard. Jim jones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Rols Posted September 20, 2009 Report Share Posted September 20, 2009 True.While Rio remains "ahead" in my bid index, Chicago has caught up and is doing a London at the moment. Question now to me is if Rio can hold discipline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted September 20, 2009 Report Share Posted September 20, 2009 Question now to me is if Rio can hold discipline. My Carioca for Rio friends are going to send their best 2,016 drumming fans to Copenhagen to drum the hell outta the IOC and the Danish Royal family!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted September 20, 2009 Report Share Posted September 20, 2009 I think roltel with a race very close no one is going to sustain a lead for very long . I am sure it will come down to the actions on the ground in Denmark or these last minute moves in the press may indeed mean little if most of the IOc members have their minds made up. It will be the reaction of what the first vote reveals. If Rio is out in Front on the first Ballot then I think is it difficult for Chicago. If rio is only slightly behind then I think you will see Madrid voters lining up behind Rio and possibly overtake Chicago. Now the talk is of Obama's advance people scoping out the president making an appearance. If Chicago is that dependent on the President showing up considering what a games would mean for increased revenues for the IOC post ever american Staged games then the inside info Ryan and Company may be that Chicago is behind further then we think. Suddenly there is a flury of White House Activity on this and it does not look like it was planned but rather improvised at the last minute. I am supporting Rio of Course but I cannot believe they would get the Front runner Status considering the opponent of Chicago . Rio from what I see has gotten that status more from the USOC 's faux paus then anything . no Candidate from the US for the summer games has gotten pass the early rounds unless they go on to win like Atlanta did . Atlanta really won by default opposing places that had badly timed bids . Canada was not going to repeat the summer games 20 years after Montreal . Europe was not going to stage back to back 1992 and 1996. This would not do anything but have NBC pour money down a drain for 1996 and Melbourne was the same thing for the timezones. Instead Atlanta pushed the TV rights up post 1996 to the delite of the IOc of course. 2016 Rio is not in Toronto 1996 shoes or Athens 96 , Belgrade 96 , Manchester 96 or Melbourne 96. Rio would be just as profitable for NBC or the US Tv Rights holder as Chicago would be because of live coverage in Prime time for the Eastern Seaboard. Jim jones /\ jj, u r really the only one making a big deal about that 'faux pas' which -- hello? harmed NO ONE in particular...and your odds thing are a little tiring. Maybe it's time you thought outside the box a little. The dynamics for this race are a little different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athensfan Posted September 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2009 JJ, I disagree with you. I think what you call "a flurry of last-minute activity" was probably carefully orchestrated. From the beginning the USOC was VERY serious about this bid. They have weighed their options carefully and copiously studied the success and failure of previous bids. They are absolutely trying to emulate the strong p.r. and careful timing of London's bid. The speculation about "will he or won't he" is generating a great deal of buzz around the bid. It is wise strategy and shows just how committed the U.S. is to Chicago 2016. This is not a casual, throwaway bid for the Americans. There is ENORMOUS investment of heart, energy and hard work behind it. Chicago 2016 and the USOC know they have to work for this and they are willing to do whatever it takes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kngkyle Posted September 20, 2009 Report Share Posted September 20, 2009 13 Days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiTown16 Posted September 20, 2009 Report Share Posted September 20, 2009 I think roltel with a race very close no one is going to sustain a lead for very long . I am sure it will come down to the actions on the ground in Denmark or these last minute moves in the press may indeed mean little if most of the IOc members have their minds made up. It will be the reaction of what the first vote reveals. If Rio is out in Front on the first Ballot then I think is it difficult for Chicago.If rio is only slightly behind then I think you will see Madrid voters lining up behind Rio and possibly overtake Chicago. Now the talk is of Obama's advance people scoping out the president making an appearance. If Chicago is that dependent on the President showing up considering what a games would mean for increased revenues for the IOC post ever american Staged games then the inside info Ryan and Company may be that Chicago is behind further then we think. Suddenly there is a flury of White House Activity on this and it does not look like it was planned but rather improvised at the last minute. This is a White House that realizes the end result is more important than what is seen before the last vote. And that knows how to use media effectively. And that rarely hasn't already considered moves and responses weeks if not months ahead. It's what we've come to call multi-dimensional chess - it's clear how a result happened in hindsight but it isn't at all clear how they're getting there at the moment. CHItown '16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted September 20, 2009 Report Share Posted September 20, 2009 I also think that they've sorted of gotten a handle on the Health Care thing--it's either going to stall or mvoe quickly REGARDLESS of the President taking a 3-day break or what? And he's probably gotten assurances from the Demo leaders in the Congress that they can keep it together until he gets back. So might as well go to Copenhagen for those 3 days. It's like they just have to see where things stand but it's certainly on the calendar!! I think that Olympic event at the White House also brought the matter forefront to him -- not only from Olympians but from those paraplegic kids as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiTown16 Posted September 20, 2009 Report Share Posted September 20, 2009 => If we're not receiving straight answers now (we know everything isn't perfect and some issues with their plan will require considerable effort to address but their defensiveness while answering questions has increased by a magnitude since the last presentations; we expect their defensiveness to continue to increase if this report establishes them as front-runner), will we receive reliably accurate answers during the next 7 years? Will we need to dispatch a standing evaluation team to assure that we can accurately gauge progress? Could some of these projects be completed, established, and adapted for Games needs in 7 years?CHItown '16 Interesting: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/artic...pPjLWSKrsmqKDaw Rio, who are seen as the main rivals to Chicago with Tokyo and Madrid struggling to make inroads although the first round vote could change all that, have been making the running but all of a sudden the wind may have gone out of their sails and the notion that taking the Games to new territory may not play so hard with their eclectic electorate."It will be one element that will play a role. A big one or a small one, I cannot say," said Rogge, who does not have a vote, though, he can intimate behind the scenes as to who he would prefer to win. "The IOC members vote on a series of criteria. Firstly the fundamentals such as do we trust the people in charge of the bid, will the transport be there, how good will the Olympic Village be. "Secondly why not go into a new territory. That would certainly be one of the aspects that will be considered." http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p...oryId=112991497 Rio is considered the closest competition to Chicago, and I love that city. Wondrous music, sultry beaches and gorgeous, friendly people.But anyone who has reported stories in Rio can tell you: time there is regarded casually. If you agree to meet someone at 2, you may not see them until 5, because they had something more interesting to do, and believe me, in Rio, there are lots of interesting things. Ten thousand athletes from around the world could land in Rio, and not be able to find civic officials because they're playing beach volleyball. "Wow, 2016 already? We've still got stadiums to build. / / Can we try this next year?" I guess some people are getting ideas reading from what we write here. CHItown '16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athensfan Posted September 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2009 it's certainly on the calendar!! I agree with you, Baron. The White House is taking this very seriously. If at all possible, Barack will be there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athensfan Posted September 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Obama's letters to the IOC members were an excellent idea. They show his commitment to Chicago and also his respect for the IOC. Daley is right in saying that, whether or not the President appears in Copenhagen, he has already made a very strong show of support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athensfan Posted September 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Apparently Valerie Jarrett has been consulting with Tony Blair about the best way to connect with IOC members in the days preceding the vote. Very smart to seek out his advice. You can read more in the article below. It also mentions the contingent of gold medalists that will accompany the Chicago delegation. http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/sports/ch...al-olympic.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olympian Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Oprah will be going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athensfan Posted September 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 Thank you, Ms. Winfrey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athensfan Posted September 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 This is a wonderful article describing all the ways Chicago comes to life during the summer. http://www.reuters.com/article/olympicsNew...525874920090924 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiTown16 Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 Apparently Valerie Jarrett has been consulting with Tony Blair about the best way to connect with IOC members in the days preceding the vote. Very smart to seek out his advice. You can read more in the article below. It also mentions the contingent of gold medalists that will accompany the Chicago delegation. http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/sports/ch...al-olympic.html Strangely, this is quite a detailed article about the Chicago 2016 Olympic bid - that didn't make it into any Chicago paper that I've seen so far. CHItown '16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athensfan Posted September 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 With ATR reporting that Obama will be in Copenhagen and news of this chartered Chicago 2016 flight it really sounds like the bid is pulling out all the stops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kngkyle Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 Hundreds Of Supporters To Fly On Airline Chartered By Chicago 2016 Hundreds of Chicago 2016 supporters will be travelling to Copenhagen for the 2016 host city vote on a Boeing 747 plane featuring the Chicago 2016 logo. Chicago 2016 has teamed up with United Airlines for the charter flight. Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016 said, "with just seven days to go until the final decision, we appreciate everyone's support and are honoured that so many Chicagoans are travelling with us to Copenhagen for the big day. It is the enthusiasm of everyone in Chicago that makes this time in Chicago's history so exciting. We thank United Airlines for being such a valuable partner in our efforts". On board the airline will be Chicago 2016 supporters, athletes, committee members, media, staff and others. Chicago 2016 sold packages, including travel, accommodations and cultural events, for those wishing to attend to show their support for Chicago's bid. ---- 747's are such beautiful planes: Going to have Air Force One and a Chicago 2016 747 in Copenhagen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kngkyle Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athensfan Posted September 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 Dear Chicago supporters, we have come this far, our bid is very compelling and it appears probable that Obama will be in Copenhagen. So far we have done our part to keep this a clean contest. Let's continue to do so by showing our worthy competitors respect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olympian Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Bets of luck to the city of Chicago. I had such a great time there when i visited your city. You deserve this Olympics. Fingers crossed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olympian Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 meant to say. bets of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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