USA 2024

[baron-pierreIV]

Not to mention, with a sporting prowess country like the U.S.

I just don't understand why intoronto can't see this great disparity between the US and Canada and/or is just being oblivious to it??? I mean it's a BIG ELEPHANT in the china shop that can't be missed!!

[Athensfan]

I don't know NYC very well, so I'm asking people who either live there, or know the city very well.

What can anyone tell me about this area at these coordinates?

40°43'20.07"N 73°55'26.18"W

This looks like a decent, somewhat centrally located area to put an Olympic park and Athletes' village.

That property appears to belong to National Grid, a major international energy company. The area is very industrial. To be honest, it seems far enough into Brooklyn that it won't be easily accessible anyway.

[CanisMinor]

The USA hosted the worst Summer games of recent memory in 96

Okay, I'll bite. How exactly was Atlanta the worst?

Winter shouldn't affect Summer.

Well, that I agree with, as long as it is in Europe: Athens '04 and Torino '06; London '12 and Sochi '14.

[NY20??]

That property appears to belong to National Grid, a major international energy company. The area is very industrial. To be honest, it seems far enough into Brooklyn that it won't be easily accessible anyway.

It's actually consierably closer to Midtown Manhattan than Flushing Meadows and appears closer to the center of toursity New York than London's Olympic Park is to say Westminser.

I have no clue if that area would even be usable though.

[Athensfan]

It's actually consierably closer to Midtown Manhattan than Flushing Meadows and appears closer to the center of toursity New York than London's Olympic Park is to say Westminser.

I have no clue if that area would even be usable though.

Hmmm. Ok. I'm just remembering what felt like long subway rides just to get into Greenpoint.

Apparently that piece of land is currently used in the distribution of natural gas.

[intoronto]

Okay, I'll bite. How exactly was Atlanta the worst?

Well, that I agree with, as long as it is in Europe: Athens '04 and Torino '06; London '12 and Sochi '14.

Athens, Beijing, Sydney and London did way better. Don't forget there was a bombing as well.

[nykfan845]

Athens, Beijing, Sydney and London did way better. Don't forget there was a bombing as well.

Really now? Are we going there?

[Blacksheep]

Athens, Beijing, Sydney and London did way better. Don't forget there was a bombing as well.

and that it was the most blatantly over commercialised games of the modern era.

Joao Havenlage could only bring himself to say 'Well done, Atlanta' when every other games was described as the best ever ... damning praise

[intoronto]

Really now? Are we going there?

Okay for someone who was 4 at that time and who vaguely remembers it the games will be known as the "bomb" games sorry if that offends someone. Its like Munich is remembered for the hostage crisis.

[Blacksheep]

Okay for someone who was 4 at that time and who vaguely remembers it the games will be known as the "bomb" games sorry if that offends someone. Its like Munich is remembered for the hostage crisis.

In many ways I wonder if Sydney is regarded with overly rose tinted glasses because of the car crash which was Atlanta.

[PotatoChips]

There are many places that could be used for the olympic village in NYC. The only problem is finding an area that is easily accessible and shows NYC. That's why there plan for 2012 was great.

I don't know NYC very well, so I'm asking people who either live there, or know the city very well.

What can anyone tell me about this area at these coordinates?

40°43'20.07"N 73°55'26.18"W

This looks like a decent, somewhat centrally located area to put an Olympic park and Athletes' village.

There are many places that could be used for the olympic village in NYC. The only problem is finding an area that is easily accessible and shows NYC. That's why there plan for 2012 was great.

[Iceman]

In my spare time, I've compiled hypothetical venue plans for potential New York and Chicago bids (the latter of which I live near and thus have first hand knowledge of), since I consider myself pretty knowledgeable on the subject of sports venues.

I don't know if I should share them though.

[intoronto]

In my spare time, I've compiled hypothetical venue plans for potential New York and Chicago bids (the latter of which I live near and thus have first hand knowledge of), since I consider myself pretty knowledgeable on the subject of sports venues.

I don't know if I should share them though.

Any contribution off course is welcome.

[paul92]

In my spare time, I've compiled hypothetical venue plans for potential New York and Chicago bids (the latter of which I live near and thus have first hand knowledge of), since I consider myself pretty knowledgeable on the subject of sports venues.

Yeh go ahead.

Not sure if anything could beat the NYC athletes village being on that little island to the east of Manhattan.

That's sooo awesome.

[Iceman]

Most of this comes from the original NYC plan and Wikipedia. I guess-estimated on some of the capacity numbers.

NYC Plan

Existing Venues

• Madison Square Garden - Gymnastics (18,200)
  
• Barclays Center – Basketball (18,103)
  
• Citi Field – Archery (40,000)
  
• 369^th Regiment Armory – Badminton, Rhythmic Gymnastics (6,000)
  
• Wien Stadium – Field Hockey (18,000)
  
• Yankee Stadium – Baseball or Rugby Sevens (50,000)
  
• Izod Center – Handball (18,000)
  
• Richmond County Bank Ballpark – BMX (7,000)
  
• Fresh Kills Park – Mountain Biking
  
• Staten Island – Road Cycling course
  
• USTA National Tennis Center – Tennis
  
• Radio City Music Hall – Weightlifting (6,000)
  
• Breezy Point – Sailing
  
• Javits Convention Center – Wrestling, Judo, Taekwondo, Table Tennis
  
• Carnesecca Arena – Fencing (5,600)
  
• Central Park - Triathlon
  

New Venues

• Olympic Stadium: Ceremonies, Athletics, Football finals (72,000)
  
• Olympic Aquatic Center
  
  • Swimming, Synchronized Swimming (20,000)
    
  • Water Polo, Diving (9,000)
    

  [*]Corona Park Regatta Center – Rowing, Canoe/Kayak Flatwater

  [*]Corona Park Whitewater Center – Canoe/Kayak Slalom

  [*]Staten Island Equestrian Center – Equestrian

  [*]Olympic Volleyball Arena – Indoor Volleyball (17,000)

  [*]Queensbridge Olympic Velodrome – Track Cycling (6,000)

Temporary Venues

• Olympic Boxing Hall – Boxing (8,000)
  
• Pelham Bay Shooting Center – Shooting
  
• Beach Volleyball Arena – Beach volleyball (12,000)
  

Football Venues

• MetLife Stadium – 82,500 (East Rutherford, NJ)
  
• Rutgers Stadium – 52,454 (Piscataway, NJ)
  
• Lincoln Financial Field – 68,532 (Philadelphia)
  
• Gillette Stadium – 68,756 (Foxboro, MA)
  
• Rentschler Field – 40,000 (East Hartford, CT)
  
• Yale Bowl – 64,000 (New Haven, CT)
  

Is it good? Or does it suck?

[Guardian]

If London can do 2012, then why not New York City? Besides, when Baron de Coubertin was alive, he wanted NYC to host an Olympic Games. If the USOC says yes to 2024 and nominates it and Toronto does the same in Canada, what a contest that would be for me to witness.

[PotatoChips]

In my spare time, I've compiled hypothetical venue plans for potential New York and Chicago bids (the latter of which I live near and thus have first hand knowledge of), since I consider myself pretty knowledgeable on the subject of sports venues.

I don't know if I should share them though.

Share them please. And if you could include the capacity of each venue.

[FYI]

Moving this discussion over here:

[CanisMinor]

Athens, Beijing, Sydney and London did way better. Don't forget there was a bombing as well.

Really? the bombing? I guess we better NEVER let Germany have another games - they either start a world war, or allow athletes to be killed...

Athens, in the opinion of many, was a far worse games than Atlanta.

Yes, Atlanta was very commercialised, but having been to both Atlanta '96 and London 2012, I can without a date say that London 2012 was far more commercialised! There's a bit of a myth on this board that Atlanta was awful, and that myth is perpetuated by folks taking a few points out of context. It would be a little like calling London awful because of empty seats on the first day, the women's fencing controversy and the intentional bike fall.

In many ways I wonder if Sydney is regarded with overly rose tinted glasses because of the car crash which was Atlanta.

Please substantiate what made Atlanta a "car crash"?

[Blacksheep]

Really? the bombing? I guess we better NEVER let Germany have another games - they either start a world war, or allow athletes to be killed...

Athens, in the opinion of many, was a far worse games than Atlanta.

Yes, Atlanta was very commercialised, but having been to both Atlanta '96 and London 2012, I can without a date say that London 2012 was far more commercialised! There's a bit of a myth on this board that Atlanta was awful, and that myth is perpetuated by folks taking a few points out of context. It would be a little like calling London awful because of empty seats on the first day, the women's fencing controversy and the intentional bike fall.

Please substantiate what made Atlanta a "car crash"?

London more commercialised?

The fact that the IOC gave Atlanta very litte praise is what people base this on, especially when the games were held by the richest and most powerful country in the world.

Having beaten out Athens for the centenary games, Atlanta had to justify that decision and in the opinion of the majority, didn't

[zekekelso]

and that it was the most blatantly over commercialised games of the modern era.

Everyone says that. But I wonder if we went back and looked at Atlanta '96 through today's eyes, would some of that "blatant commerciaiazion" look almost quant compared to what we see today. Any issues in Atlanta with Athletes tweeting shout-outs to their corporate sponsors? Did ACOC rip ATM's out of venues, or ban the sale of unapprovied french fries?

Having beaten out Athens for the centenary games, Atlanta had to justify that decision and in the opinion of the majority, didn't

The argument that the Atlanta games were bad needs to be more than "people think the games were bad." Why where they bad? Especially if you are going to use Athens as a point of comparison.

[runningrings]

I'm one of those people that dislikes the idea that Atlanta ever hosted the Olympics. I just simply wish it didn't happen. It put the whole symmetry of the Olympics out of kilter. On top of that- it being so close to 1984, the transport woes, the relative insignificance of the host city, the tactless commercialisation, the first terrorist incident since Munich, etc... left the world with a bad taste in their mouth. As Blacksheep pointed out, we needed a compelling reason to justify the loss of the Centennial Olympics to Athens; and in addition to this the IOC overlooking other cities that were as, if not much more capable; Melbourne and Toronto. I think it is these things at play, when mixed together, that has left this long lasting negative image of Atlanta 1996.

But taking a step back, and looking at the event subjectively; was it really that bad? The bombing aside (that could have just as easily been London or Sydney); it was an Olympics that wasn't so much about bold statement making venues; and more about tailoring the event to the needs of a mid-sized American city. While Atlanta and London have almost nothing in common, their Olympic Games were planned in a similar manner - it's just that London executed it better, and is a city that can get away with more. The world would always be less forgiving to Atlanta.

The Atlanta Olympics had strong legacy, the Centennial Olympic Park is a testament to this, and is extremely well utilised. It gave the Olympics a central focus. The Olympic Stadium was "downsized" and while people gasp at its current form - at least it is seeing regular use from a sport Americans actually watch. Almost all other venues that didn't have a post-Games purpose, were temporary. In a sense, Atlanta unintentionally beat London at being the first sustainable Olympics. They were doing it before it was cool.

[Athensfan]

Everyone says that. But I wonder if we went back and looked at Atlanta '96 through today's eyes, would some of that "blatant commerciaiazion" look almost quant compared to what we see today. Any issues in Atlanta with Athletes tweeting shout-outs to their corporate sponsors? Did ACOC rip ATM's out of venues, or ban the sale of unapprovied french fries?

I agree with this. Times have changed and I seriously doubt Atlanta would seem as commercialized today as it did in 96.

Also, the IOC came to Atlanta with sky-high expectations, thanks to the huge success of LA84. It's just like going to see a movie that's gotten raves and been over-hyped. You're sure to be let down.

I also agree with greenandblue that the timing of Atlanta was terrible. It was way too close to LA. The IOC made that decision and then seemed to hold it against the US -- throwing a monkey wrench into the rotation.

[Blacksheep]

I agree with this. Times have changed and I seriously doubt Atlanta would seem as commercialized today as it did in 96.

Also, the IOC came to Atlanta with sky-high expectations, thanks to the huge success of LA84. It's just like going to see a movie that's gotten raves and been over-hyped. You're sure to be let down.

U of course mean, Samaranch. He said that because after 99 years of The Best Games ever, it was time to retire that tired old phrase. It was getting old. That's why.

Atlanta 1996 was the best for the 1st Century of the Modern Era Games. It's just all SOUR Grapes and envy from the rest.

Case closed.

.... sour grapes, and envy for such a tactless games which is hung round the necks of subsequent American bids like an albatross?

I don't think so

Delude yourself if you like but Samaranch said Well Done Atlanta because the games simply did not meet the standards of the IOC

Atlanta was to the Summer Games what Reno would be to the Winter Games

[nykfan845]

.... sour grapes, and envy for such a tactless games which is hung round the necks of subsequent American bids like an albatross?

I don't think so

Delude yourself if you like but Samaranch said Well Done Atlanta because the games simply did not meet the standards of the IOC

Atlanta was to the Summer Games what Reno would be to the Winter Games

Why do people put so much stock into what Samaranch said?

People here are acting like Atlanta was an atrocity of a Games. It's ridiculous.