2012 Olympics

[Ganapathi Srinivasan]

Which city do you think wud win the 2012 bid?

My vote is for NYC...i work in the city and I think it wud be great to host the olympics!!

[Jesse Torres]

I hope that NY wins the selection process. However, a lot of reports that I have read in the last month, indicate that Paris will win. I am still hoping for NY.

[K Riaz]

Paris are the favourites. I don't think London will win (where I work) as we have a very poor (and expensive) transport system in the city, and people like me will have to pay for it for the next 10 years in higher taxes. I can't believe London wasted �600,000 to provide hospitality for the IOC members. Incidently, if London does win it, it will be in my area (15 minutes away), as they plan to spend millions of pounds in transforming it with world class arena.

We shall wait until July, but something tells me it that our bid will end up like the 2006 bid for the FIFA Football World Cup, which we lost to Germany.

[Gerald Davis]

Originally posted by Ganapathi Raman:
Which city do you think wud win the 2012 bid?

My vote is for NYC...i work in the city and I think it wud be great to host the olympics!!

NY public transport is the dog�s bullocks, especially the subway trains; the grafitti is world renown and always original. The marshal art and boxer athletes could get to spar every day simply by making eye contact with any of the passengers.

[Dave Lenton]

Originally posted by Kashif Riaz:
Paris are the favourites. I don't think London will win (where I work) as we have a very poor (and expensive) transport system in the city, and people like me will have to pay for it for the next 10 years in higher taxes. I can't believe London wasted �600,000 to provide hospitality for the IOC members. Incidently, if London does win it, it will be in my area (15 minutes away), as they plan to spend millions of pounds in transforming it with world class arena.

We shall wait until July, but something tells me it that our bid will end up like the 2006 bid for the FIFA Football World Cup, which we lost to Germany.

I think London could put on a good games - we have quite a few years to sort out the public transport system. Although we could do it, I'm not sure if we should. Like you I am concerned about paying for the Olympics for a long time to come, on top of my already large council tax bills. Projects like the Dome and Wembley have shown that these things always cost more than originally planned.

Besides, its a not likely to happen - Paris has as good as secured the games now, especially given the recent problems that the New York bid has with building the main stadium.

[Peter Rooke]

Yes, let the Parisians have the games. You London folk could use the Euro Tunnel train to visit Paris. The rest of us could use cheap air travel. Let the French pay for it. If we did get the games that would give more of our money to Red Ken [The London Mare], which he will waste.

PS - for you Southerners, down there: BCS, SPA 2005 (Be quick to register)
[ March 16, 2005: Message edited by: Peter Rooke ]

[Kishore Dandu]

Originally posted by Gerald Davis:


NY public transport is the dog�s bullocks, especially the subway trains; the grafitti is world renown and always original. The marshal art and boxer athletes could get to spar every day simply by making eye contact with any of the passengers.

That is a comment in poor taste. The crime rates etc in NY went down. Now they are lower than a city like Dallas.

I have used public transportation in NY and Paris. Paris has a edge in this respect, but NY can holdup on its own, with respect to transportation.

Only problem with Paris is, they close their shops at 6PM; and prefer spending lots of time with own families. How are they going to conduct themselves to be successful in a event like Olympics.

[peter wooster]

Since the 2010 winter games are in North America there is very little chance of the 2012 games being here as well. The TV networks would love it, but the Europeans rule the olympic committee and won't give two consecutive games to another contenent.

On the NY vs Paris subways, I've used both and both of them are fine. The NY subways are nowhere near as scary as their reputation. The walks between lines in the stations in Paris would be good for the long distance runners.

[Roger Johnson]

i think historical and geographic factor is very important here. here is a list of summer olympics host:

Athens 1896
Paris 1900
St. Louis 1904
London 1908
Stockholm 1912
Antwerp 1920
Paris 1924
Amsterdam 1928
Los Angeles 1932
Berlin 1936
London 1948
Helsinki 1952
Melbourne 1956
Rome 1960
Tokyo 1964
Mexico City 1968
Munich 1972
Montreal 1976
Moscow 1980
Los Angeles 1984
Seoul 1988
Barcelona 1992
Atlanta 1996
Sydney 2000
Athens 2004
Beijing 2008

surprisingly, new york never hosts a summer olympic! and the last summer olympic held in west hemisphere is 1996. so i believe new york will win!

[John Dunn]

Yeah NYC Baby!!! J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets. Let's build that new football stadium fast.

[Dave Lenton]

Originally posted by Roger Johnson:
i think historical and geographic factor is very important here. here is a list of summer olympics host:

Athens 1896
Paris 1900
St. Louis 1904
London 1908
Stockholm 1912
Antwerp 1920
Paris 1924
Amsterdam 1928
Los Angeles 1932
Berlin 1936
London 1948
Helsinki 1952
Melbourne 1956
Rome 1960
Tokyo 1964
Mexico City 1968
Munich 1972
Montreal 1976
Moscow 1980
Los Angeles 1984
Seoul 1988
Barcelona 1992
Atlanta 1996
Sydney 2000
Athens 2004
Beijing 2008

surprisingly, new york never hosts a summer olympic! and the last summer olympic held in west hemisphere is 1996. so i believe new york will win!

While New York hasn't had the summer Olympics, the USA has had it several times (more than any other country). It would perhaps be nice to see a country that hasn't had it much, or at all, have a go at hosting them. Of this year's entrants, that would mean either Russia or Spain, as the UK, USA and France have all been hosts several times in the past. Maybe it could go to Spain - they've only had it once before, and never in Madrid. Its a shame not to see a serious bid from a country that hasn't hosted it before.

[Kishore Dandu]

Any bets on 2016: New Delhi, India.

[Nigel Browne]

The best thing about the London bid was that they planted plastic palm trees in Stratford. What a waste of money. Let Paris have it and if anyone from the UK wants to go, then we have ferries, the eurotunnel and cheap flights to get there.
Also I am looking forward to the French unions holding the olympic to ransom and the whole project going hideously over budget.

[Peter Rooke]

planted plastic palm trees in Stratford

Not fair, its the [English] north / south divide again; I'm going to complain to my local MP; and insist that we get some plastic trees planted in the north east.

But seriously, image what they would do if we get the games

going hideously over budget.

- The French will try to get the EU to pay
[ March 17, 2005: Message edited by: Peter Rooke ]

[K Riaz]

Originally posted by Kishore Dandu:


That is a comment in poor taste.

I'm not surprised, Gerald's other previous post in this thread (which was removed) was very offensive to people in London. Seems to have attitude issues, so best to ignore him. Maybe his a Sun reader (a 2nd class british newspaper)?
[ March 18, 2005: Message edited by: Kashif Riaz ]

[Dave Lenton]

Originally posted by Kashif Riaz:
Maybe his a Sun reader (a 2nd class british newspaper)?

To call the Sun a newspaper is to tarnish the reputation of the other newspapers somewhat . Its main roles seem to be to show as lots of people in very little clothing, have the largest font for headlines out of all the papers, show some more naked people, convince the readers that the world is coming to an end, add a couple more pictures of semi-naked people, and give the impression that Jordan's boob job is the most important issue facing the world.

The sad thing is that some people actually believe what they read in it, and even more sadly it's the most popular paper in the country. Oh dear.

[Angela Poynton]

Manchester did a fantastic job hosting the Commonwealth games not so long ago and it did amazing things for the city culturally and financially and they are still reaping the rewards. Personally I'd love to see the Olympics come to London and I think they will. Nobody is going to give it the French when they're prone to have a general strike if some guy finds the coffee he gets on his break is too hot to drink immediately.
The French are too unpredictable.
London is changing too .. say what you like about our Mayor but he's making a difference and I believe it is for the better. The London I live in now is a far nicer place than the London I moved to 6 years ago.
Nothing happens overnight, but he's made a lot of things happen a lot quicker than anyone else I've ever seen and if anyone can pull off the Olympics it's Ken.

[Kishore Dandu]

Originally posted by Angela Poynton:
Manchester did a fantastic job hosting the Commonwealth games not so long ago and it did amazing things for the city culturally and financially and they are still reaping the rewards. Personally I'd love to see the Olympics come to London and I think they will. Nobody is going to give it the French when they're prone to have a general strike if some guy finds the coffee he gets on his break is too hot to drink immediately.
The French are too unpredictable.
London is changing too .. say what you like about our Mayor but he's making a difference and I believe it is for the better. The London I live in now is a far nicer place than the London I moved to 6 years ago.
Nothing happens overnight, but he's made a lot of things happen a lot quicker than anyone else I've ever seen and if anyone can pull off the Olympics it's Ken.

London or Paris it does not matter for me.

I would like to see Olympics awarded to places like Dubai(which has incredible infrastructure) or Istanbul(which tried many times to host the games with failure all the times) or India(which is going to try for 2016).
This will add more respect to olympic movement since that will diversify its
record.

[Jason Menard]

Originally posted by Kishore Dandu:
This will add more respect to olympic movement since that will diversify its record.

I think the Olympics, being the premiere forum for international sport, are pretty well respected. I don't think holding them in Latvia or anything will add to that respect. It seems that what they are looking for when they pick the sites to hold the Olympic are: infrastructure, both for guests (hotels, transportation, etc...) and the competitions (arenas, suitable locations to hold all events, etc...); someplace that tourists would want to go; a place where security arrangements will be comfortable for all involved (removes numerous countries from contention).

[Pat Davis]

london is a great city, but i am afraid there will be problem down the road. ever heard the story of london mayor, jewish reporter, and nazi guard?

[Alan Wanwierd]

I think the Olympics, being the premiere forum for international sport, are pretty well respected. ... It seems that what they are looking for when they pick the sites to hold the Olympic are: infrastructure, both for guests (hotels, transportation, etc...) and the competitions (arenas, suitable locations to hold all events, etc...); someplace that tourists would want to go; a place where security arrangements will be comfortable for all involved (removes numerous countries from contention).

That said there are plenty of places that can fulfill those basic criteria and beyond that the decision is largely one of political diplomacy. Perhaps the IOC should adopt a policy similar to FIFA (who administer the worlds largest sporting event every 4 yrs - Football World Cup) and adopt a strict continental rotation. Using that logic we're long overdue for an Olympics in Africa or South America!

[Jason Menard]

South America: not likely any time soon. Africa: not likely in our lifetime.

[Gerald Davis]

Originally posted by Kashif Riaz:


I'm not surprised, Gerald's other previous post in this thread (which was removed) was very offensive to people in London.

[ March 18, 2005: Message edited by: Kashif Riaz ]

As I am from Croydon London so I didn�t worry about using much tact concerning people in London. As for as London as goes it is a fine city where people are friendly and there are plenty of things to see and do. London could benefit greatly from the games, helping inner city people who don�t do sports to get involved because us Londoners do not have a healthy diet culture that the French do. With a bit of a push us Brits could be mad about the games as the Australians are.

As for as for New York, you cannot assume that I was being sarcastic when I complimented the New York public transport. The New York subway has much better scope for improvement then that of London�s. http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_504022.hcsp

Crime in NY is down as I could have predicted . For many New York is the gateway to America therefore they have an image to uphold. So the city officials have taken positive action to with their zero tolerance attitudes to crime. The game could be great for American and European relationships and if we don�t get the game then I hope they get it. I know that I will be the first to book tickets of they do.
[ March 21, 2005: Message edited by: Gerald Davis ]

[Gerald Davis]

Originally posted by Kashif Riaz:

Maybe his a Sun reader (a 2nd class british newspaper)?

[ March 18, 2005: Message edited by: Kashif Riaz ]

I am certainly not a Sun reader, me being a untactful person myself I know the difference between those who are untactful and those who are frankly on a dark mission that no respectable person can agree with.

The sun news paper recent attack on Gypsies are cruel and unfair; If you could agree with the facts that they point out then you could not agree with using the demonizing them by using shot of particularly bad site on front cover and printing very offensive words about what local residence say about them, but what the Sun are really saying themselves. Sun readers are a scary bunch I tell thee!

[Kishore Dandu]

Originally posted by Jason Menard:
South America: not likely any time soon. Africa: not likely in our lifetime.

Come on!!! South Africa almost made the cut recently. Don't count them out in the future.

If Greece has enough to host olmimpics, South Africa has enough to host aswell.

[Kishore Dandu]

Originally posted by Jason Menard:


I think the Olympics, being the premiere forum for international sport, are pretty well respected. I don't think holding them in Latvia or anything will add to that respect. It seems that what they are looking for when they pick the sites to hold the Olympic are: infrastructure, both for guests (hotels, transportation, etc...) and the competitions (arenas, suitable locations to hold all events, etc...); someplace that tourists would want to go; a place where security arrangements will be comfortable for all involved (removes numerous countries from contention).

Latvia is nowhere near the countries I mentioned. If they can host olympics in Greece, in my personal opinion UAE, Turkey and India should be fine to conduct peacefully.

Have u been to any of these places I mentioned before comparing them to Latvia???

[Alan Wanwierd]

Originally posted by Jason Menard:
South America: not likely any time soon. Africa: not likely in our lifetime.

I think Cape Town would be capable of hosting Olympics - South Africa have a proven history of succesfully hosting large sporting events without any trouble (security being the only concern that one could have with S.A) and only a cruel twist of fate (Oceania representaive abstaining 'cos he didnt like all the political dealing going on) denied them hosting the 2006 World Cup [Football for those of you who were wondering].

Brazil would also be capable of hosting a big event and I would have thought Rio would be a great place for Olympics.

As others have said - if Athens can be held up as an example city then why not either of these 2 dynamic, exciting and desirable locations?
[ March 21, 2005: Message edited by: Adrian Wallace ]

[Dave Lenton]

Originally posted by Adrian Wallace:
I think Cape Town would be capable of hosting Olympics - South Africa have a proven history of succesfully hosting large sporting events without any trouble (security being the only concern that one could have with S.A) and only a cruel twist of fate (Oceania representaive abstaining 'cos he didnt like all the political dealing going on) denied them hosting the 2006 World Cup [Football for those of you who were wondering].

Didn't South Africa get caught cheating with their bid? I think they used a picture of Preston North End's ground (a not very good English football team for those not familiar with them) and tried to pass it off as one of their stadia.

As others have said - if Athens can be held up as an example city then why not either of these 2 dynamic, exciting and desirable locations?

Very true. Greece is fairly poor compared to other EU countries, but managed to pull off a fantastic games. From what I've heard from several Greeks, the city has improved tremendously because of the changes made to host the games, so maybe this kind of positive benefit of the games could be utilised by some other needy cities.

I'd quite like to see the games go to somewhere like Istanbul, for its crossover of east and west, or to India, to celebrate the country's massive steps forward over recent years. Maybe it could also be awarded to an African country - perhaps as a prize for the first central African country to become a free democracy, with other countries helping to fund it. It could then act as a big symbol of freedom, prosperity etc.

[Axel Janssen]

Originally posted by Jason Menard:
South America: not likely any time soon. Africa: not likely in our lifetime.

There actually was an olympics in a central american country (Mexico 1968).
If it was possible in Mexico 36 years ago, it should be possible in South America or South Africa now.
There were lots of soccer world cups in south america (1930 in Uruguay, 1950 in Brasil, 1962 in Chile, 1970 in Mexico, 1978 in Argentina, 1986 in Mexico).
Won't the soccer world cup 2010 take place in South Africa?
Soccer world cup is comparable to olympics and it lasts double the time.
I am sure South Africa could manage it.

[Jason Menard]

Originally posted by Kishore Dandu:
Have u been to any of these places I mentioned before comparing them to Latvia???

Latvia was just an example, but yes.

[Kishore Dandu]

Since I know your posts from previous times, I would take this as a funny comment than a prejudiced comment.

UAE is the best place for open-ness in the middle east. They have full service bars and discos that are open until wee hours. Women for sure are not mandated to puton burkhas. Your comment is very distasteful without facts.

FYI right now Pakistan is playing cricket in India. They together hosted two world cup cricket games. Indian cricket team visited Pakistan last year. I would add this also as a comment with zero substance.

If Greece can afford hosting Olympics(according to Economist the infrastructure after the hosting of games improved but the country itself went into some troubled money matters because of hosting games), Turkey for sure can host the games. They have enough money and man-power to make it happen.
[ March 22, 2005: Message edited by: Max Habibi ]

[Kishore Dandu]

Originally posted by Jason Menard:


It seems that what they are looking for when they pick the sites to hold the Olympic are: infrastructure, both for guests (hotels, transportation, etc...) and the competitions (arenas, suitable locations to hold all events, etc...); someplace that tourists would want to go; a place where security arrangements will be comfortable for all involved (removes numerous countries from contention).

Let me explain the contention of India as a example:
1) they have enough 5 star hotels and infrastrcuture around Delhi. Transportation is the only concern, which can be improved with some planning. Since they have time they can do that aspect.
2) India is the 5th most aspired tourist destination last year. So, people do want to visit India.
3) India is as secure as or more secure than London or Paris. When games like this are awarded, even hostile neighbours come around.
Example: India and Pakistan hosted two world cups of Cricket previously.

[Ganapathi Srinivasan]

Originally posted by Kishore Dandu:


Let me explain the contention of India as a example:
1) they have enough 5 star hotels and infrastrcuture around Delhi. Transportation is the only concern, which can be improved with some planning. Since they have time they can do that aspect.
2) India is the 5th most aspired tourist destination last year. So, people do want to visit India.
3) India is as secure as or more secure than London or Paris. When games like this are awarded, even hostile neighbours come around.
Example: India and Pakistan hosted two world cups of Cricket previously.

let us not forget that it is not the IOC that chooses cities to host olympics. Cities come up with bids (plans) and IOC visits every such city that has put in a bid..again we are talking about city here and not cities. If Delhi had come up with such a bid, detailing how the city plans to generate revenues and how it would provide infrastructure as well as security I do not see IOC rejecting the bid. But again the initiative has to come from the city, that wants to host the event. I also would like to see cities like Delhi, Rio and Ankara to host international events like olympics..not only does the city gets a complete face-lift, it also opens up native cultures to the whole world.

[Kishore Dandu]

Originally posted by Ganapathi Raman:


let us not forget that it is not the IOC that chooses cities to host olympics. Cities come up with bids (plans) and IOC visits every such city that has put in a bid..again we are talking about city here and not cities. If Delhi had come up with such a bid, detailing how the city plans to generate revenues and how it would provide infrastructure as well as security I do not see IOC rejecting the bid. But again the initiative has to come from the city, that wants to host the event. I also would like to see cities like Delhi, Rio and Ankara to host international events like olympics..not only does the city gets a complete face-lift, it also opens up native cultures to the whole world.

You may not be aware, but New Delhi is getting ready with full force for 2016 olympics bid.

Here are some useful links:
Transportation initiative for 2010 commonwealth & 2016 olympics

IOC India bid chairman Suresh Kalmadi


Commonwealth games 2010 that talks about 2014 asian and 2016 olympics
[ March 22, 2005: Message edited by: Kishore Dandu ]

[Alan Wanwierd]

Originally posted by Axel Janssen:
..
Won't the soccer world cup 2010 take place in South Africa?
Soccer world cup is comparable to olympics and it lasts double the time.
I am sure South Africa could manage it.

http://www.fifa.com/en/worldcup/index/0,3360,101476,00.html?comp=WF&year=2010&articleid=101476

Indeed - South Africa *is* to host 2010!
..and then since 2002 was Asian(Korea) and 2006 European(Germany) we can loook forward to 2014 being South American and 2018 maybe even coming to Australia! (yippee I'll start saving for tickets today!)

Surely this sort of rotation means that theres less fighting for hosting and therefore less money gets wasted on expensive bid preparation and bribing of officials (which seems to be the Olympic way).

[Sripathi Krishnamurthy]

Originally posted by Kishore Dandu:


You may not be aware, but New Delhi is getting ready with full force for 2016 olympics bid.

which city would be the best for olympics in India?
I think Bangalore would be first since it is the Garden city. Next would be New Delhi.
New Delhi has hosted asian games in 1951 and 1982.
Bangalore has already hosted National Games in 1997.

[Damanjit Kaur]

New Delhi is being recommended for 2014 Asian games. http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1298221,00080001.htm

To improve infrastructure, thruout the city, Metros bridges n lanes are being constructed but still the traffic position is horrible and is not going to get better even after the Metro starts. There are still going to be increasing number of cars and two wheelers on the road by 2014 along with Metro running, as our population is not showing any sign of stoppage.

[Ganapathi Srinivasan]

heard on the radio today that (unofficially) IOC has narrowed down the list for 2012 to 3 - London, Paris and NYC.

With the proposal for west-side stadium gaining popular support, I think NYC has a good chance of getting selected!!