thatsnotmypuppy Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 A well placed source has just let it slip - the IOC has been notified that the Kazak government has decided to go with Almaty as an applicant ctiy for 2018 after all. Expect official confirmation shortly.
sredetsfan Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 its a party! -finaly some excitment...
thatsnotmypuppy Posted October 14, 2009 Author Report Posted October 14, 2009 Ha! Their 2014 bid was fantastic though - so a real long shot with Sochi 2014 but weirder things have happened. At the very least if they shortlist it will pull votes away from PC...
oakydoky Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 Ha!Their 2014 bid was fantastic though - so a real long shot with Sochi 2014 but weirder things have happened. At the very least if they shortlist it will pull votes away from PC... Anything which prevents Pyeonchang from winning is good in my opinion as I desperately want Munich to win the 2018 games.
memorabilia Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 I don't think they will bif for 2018. They will wait to have organized the 2011 winter asian games and will bid back for 2022 with this legacy.
thatsnotmypuppy Posted October 14, 2009 Author Report Posted October 14, 2009 From two contacts I have heard the Kazakh g'ment has put forward an application to the IOC. We'll see what comes of it. I guess the thinking is they should get on the shortlist this time - and with a successful winter Asiad completed right before the vote in 2011 they will have a strong case. Not a bad plan - kind of a Rio 2016 angle.
4gamesandcounting Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 Surely Sochi blows the bid out of the water?
thatsnotmypuppy Posted October 14, 2009 Author Report Posted October 14, 2009 I agree - however the Almaty team is placing itself for 2022/26 and frankly I believe they are happy to get through the first stage and get to be a candidate city.
Faster Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 Well Sochi is a gray area. You can't say it won't affect another European winner (since Sochi is in Europe by all geographic definitions) and Almaty is in Asia. And remember 1988-1998-2008-2018??
Rafa Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 Almaty scored so well under transport. The missing factor is really just hosting these Asian winter games. My money is on Munich. My heart is on Almaty...if it bids.
Faster Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 I would be happy with both. Kazakhstan would be cool and such a new and different country to host the Games.
Kenadian Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 I hope this is true. I think Almaty got ripped off for the 2014 race. Stupid Sochi and Pyeongchang!
Athensfan Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 I really took a shine to Almaty in the 2014 race. It really seemed to me that the bid had a lot of potential and certainly promised welcome variety. I'm not sure they stand much of a chance against Munich, Pyeongchang, et al. It's too bad. It might just be a question of timing. I question whether the IOC will dismiss the bid as being too close to Sochi -- after all Kazakhstan was a part of the USSR. It seems like a valid concern for 2018. I hope Almaty tries again at some point in the future -- 2022, 2026.
IceNarcissus Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 Almaty would win hands down post-2018 provided one thing happens: Kazakhstan improves it's team dramatically and wins medals! As it stands for 2018, both Sochi and Almaty are gray areas as far as continents go. Even if Kazakhstan medals a few times in Vancouver (kind of unlikely) it wouldn't be enough with PC and Munich in the mix. I know it's unfair that countries with more medal potential get the games, but think about it. Teams with good performances stir interest in the sport programs, and therefore help ensure legacy.
Kenadian Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 I think Almaty's strategy will be to get on the shortlist. Geopolitically, they are not likely to get the Games right after Sochi and a 2022 bid would be hurt by a Pyeongchang 2018 victory. But if they present well for 2018, take out Pyeongchang in early rounds of voting and help send the Games to Germany or France, they would be positioned to strike in 2022.
FYI Posted October 15, 2009 Report Posted October 15, 2009 Geographically speaking, I don't see Sochi hinders Almaty that much. I mean Almaty is farther away from Sochi than Munich is. So I don't see what's the diff. However, technically & geopolitically speaking, that's a whole other story. I know a lot of people here seem to be on the Almaty bangwagon, but I don't see what the 'F' big deal is. Almaty just seems like a grim, dreary, ex-Soviet city with no real sex appeal. Kinda like Baku wanting to go after the Summer Olympics. But to each their own I guess.
Faster Posted October 15, 2009 Report Posted October 15, 2009 Almaty and Astana are going to be cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Modern, skyscrapers lined cities funded by oil, so calling them grim and dreary is not accurate. And because Almaty has existed through much of the last 1000 years or more it has a lot more charm, history and soul compared to the other oil cities. Also when it comes to Asia, any new potential host is intriguing.
thatsnotmypuppy Posted October 15, 2009 Author Report Posted October 15, 2009 You see it's not that dreary and drab - Almaty is surrounded by a beautiful mountain range that has a few access points that lets the pollution out - thus it is a rarity in that region - a clean city. It is relatively green, has a great Uni vibe and despite being the butt of many jokes (thanks to Borat) the Kazaks are spending their oil wealth wisely and trying to bring the standard of living up for everyone who lives there. Sporting results wise they have some work to do. More to the point they had a solid 2014 bid and most people here will jump on any bandwagon that isn't heading towards South Korea!!!
FYI Posted October 15, 2009 Report Posted October 15, 2009 Still, Almaty isn't a destination that's on the top of most peoples travel itineraries. But again, to each their own. And I didn't mean grim & dreary in the literal sense, but rather figuratively. "Also when it comes to Asia, any new potential host is 'intriguing'." Really? One wouldn't think so considering how harsh you are towards Pyeongchang.
sredetsfan Posted October 15, 2009 Report Posted October 15, 2009 I happen to agree with FYI. Dont get me wronkg i think Almaty is perfectly suited to host. However, im not sure NBC will be pleased becasue Almaty's lack of landmarks does cause problems for its makerting campaign. Its not an ugly city, Sofia, Bulgaria is not all that pretty, however it at least has a cnetral coure downtown are with many end of the 19th early 20th century buildings which give the city some charm and charecter. I'm not sure Almaty has that. And not to be a downer but i think there is a clear distinction between Dubai and Almaty. I know it will host one day, but im not sure 2018 or even 202X is its time to shine. Though I'm not ready to cross it off the list just yet... it can provide some nice surprises....
Kenadian Posted October 15, 2009 Report Posted October 15, 2009 What landmarks did Albertville, Lillehammer, and Nagano have? Or what do Sochi or Pyeongchang have? I don't think they are that important. Sochi and Munich may be closer by geography, but Russia and Kazahkstan are closer culturally. But I do agree that Almaty's biggest weakness is the prowess of their national team, although there must be some former Soviet era athletes from the country. But Almaty reminds me of Sarajevo. Almaty is no doubt the dark horse in this race. But they have things going for them. With 1.5 million residents, they fit the trend of Winter host cities. They are are building and planning for the 2011 Winter Asiad. They have a large and growing ski resort 25 km away at Shymbulak. Former Olympic champion Vladimir Smirnov was head of the 2014 bid and a big wig in the International Biathlon Union. The Medeu skating oval was once a premier facility (now under renos for 2011). Who knows...the Rio of 2018? Or a repeat of 2014?
FYI Posted October 15, 2009 Report Posted October 15, 2009 I'd say a repeat of 2014. Like you said, Russia & Kazahkstan are culturally similiar, so that's one minus against them right there. I don't think landmarks are an important factor either, especially for the Winter Games. But at least Albertville, Lillehammer, Nagano & even Pyeongchang, seem to have that mystical aura about them that I just don't get that vibe from Almaty.
Kenadian Posted October 15, 2009 Report Posted October 15, 2009 And that's the great thing about following an Olympic bid (especially Winter bids)...you get to know a bit more about a place you likely have no prior knowledge of. But wow, Almaty has huge mountains!
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