Rio de Janeiro to Host 2016 Olympics

[Party]

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t202/cabsdeeptoleft/chi.pnghttp://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t202/cabsdeeptoleft/mad.pnghttp://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t202/cabsdeeptoleft/rio.pnghttp://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t202/cabsdeeptoleft/tok.png

October 2, 2009
Copenhagen

GameBids.com (http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/)
Wiki page on bids (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bids_for_the_2016_Summer_Olympics)

Representatives of seven sports are awaiting the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision on which two sports the IOC Executive Board selects Thursday in Berlin will make the shortlist to be voted on in October by the IOC in Copenhagen.

International Softball Federation President Don Porter, in Berlin for the vote said, "this is a monumental moment for softball - and an opportunity for the International Olympic Committee to back our sport which has done so much to promote the values of the Olympic movement.

"We believe we have a compelling case as we continue to promote sport in developing communities around the world, with a particular focus on women and young people; and continue to engender the principles of fair play, respect, and clean sport".

Dr. Harvey Schiller, President of the International Baseball Federation (IBAF), will be in Berlin Thursday to represent baseball. He said that the IBAF has been in constant contact with all members of the IOC Executive Committee, updating them on the continued good news about the sport from around the world, including the announcement that Eurosport 2 will televise the September World Cup, as well as Japan's triumph in the Asian Championships, the announcement of professional baseball returning to Australia, and plans to start a professional league in Israel in the next few years.

He said, "at this point we are confident that we have effectively addressed all the issues presented to us as reasons why baseball was removed from the program. The sport is fully WADA compliant; we are working closely with all four 2016 potential host cities to make sure the facilities are in place well in advance of the Games and that the sport is thriving".

Squash is promoting its sport and has announced that players from 21 nations representing all five continents are lining up for the qualifying competition for the Kuwait Men's World Open Squash Championship 2009, the world's richest squash tournament ever, to be staged in Kuwait for the first time November 1-7.

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) championship will have a prize fund of $277,500 - the largest ever offered by any World Open or PSA World Tour event - and will be the first official sporting World Open Championship to be hosted in Kuwait.

http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/olympic_sports_bids/1216134577.html

Olympic baseball at Wrigley Field. :mischief :thumbup

[Marlinsfan4lyfe]

I thought baseball and softball were out after last year.

[Sandroimbuto]

Rugby 7's is trying to get in too.

[marlins_virus.exe]

it should really be rio

i'd love to see a south american summer games

[Party]

From wiki:

Baseball and softball, which were dropped from the program in 2005, karate, squash, golf, roller sports (inline speed skating) and rugby union will apply to be included.
--------------------
Hard to believe golf hasn't been on the Olympic program since 1904.

[marlins_virus.exe]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2009-08-13-2572023988_x.htm

OKLAHOMA CITY — On a day when her sport lost another bid to get back into the Olympics, U.S. softball star Jennie Finch vowed to fight on.
A two-time Olympian, Finch called Thursday a heartbreaking day, particularly for young players around the world who dreamed of playing at the sport's highest level.

Softball was added to the Olympics at Atlanta in 1996 and was a part of the last four games, with the United States winning three gold medals before Japan's victory last summer in Beijing.

In 2005, softball and baseball became the first sports in 69 years to be dropped from the Olympics, beginning with the 2012 London Games. Both lost appeals for reinstatement in 2006 and then set their sights on this year's vote to get back on the program for 2016.

Instead, International Olympic leaders voted to recommend that golf and rugby be added to the 2016 Games, while softball, baseball and three other sports were left out.

FIND MORE STORIES IN: Atlanta | Olympic Games | MLB World Series | International Olympic Committee | Jacques Rogge | 2012 Summer Olympics | United States men's national soccer team | Softball | Jennie Finch | International Baseball Federation | Harvey Schiller
"We have to rebound and I think our sport is too good not to prevail and our sport will continue on," Finch said during a conference call. "There will be a USA Softball and there will still be international softball, and we're looking forward to world championships next summer and the stage the world will have to showcase how great our sport is and to prove that we do belong in the Olympics. This fight isn't over."

Neither baseball nor softball ever got more than two of the eight votes needed in seven rounds of secret-ballot voting.

"I think the main thing is to just look at this as not a deal-breaker, but as motivation to keep this sport growing and keep it going," said Stanford's Ashley Hansen, one of 10 rookies on the U.S. national team this summer.

IOC president Jacques Rogge noted that the five rejected sports would not be reconsidered even if both golf and rugby aren't added.

"We're not going to give up," International Softball Federation president Don Porter said. "Why they didn't support us, we'd like to find out why and try to do whatever is necessary to get those IOC members to support us.

International Baseball Federation president Harvey Schiller expressed disappointment that softball had distanced itself from baseball following the 2005 vote, rejecting an offer of a joint Olympic bid. Instead, softball mounted a campaign to plant seeds for the sport in places like the Middle East and Africa and touted its clean doping record.

"This wasn't about using the Olympics to grow the game of baseball," Schiller said. "This was about having the opportunity for people to play on this big stage. And for many, many countries, like Cuba and others, this is very important to them."

Major League Baseball and USA Baseball immediately turned their focus to the World Baseball Classic in 2013 and beyond.

"Baseball has enjoyed great international growth in recent years and today's decision by the IOC will not deter us from continuing our efforts to grow the game globally," MLB said in its statement.

USA Baseball executive director Paul Seiler added that "participation at all levels of baseball continues to grow, and the success of the World Baseball Classic is undeniable proof that ours is a sport with worldwide appeal."

Softball is on strong footing in America, with a vibrant youth program and a continually growing college game that sets attendance records regularly at the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.

The concern is the sport's future outside the U.S.

"I think our biggest fear in this is it will be difficult for us, being part of the international federation, to be able to promote throughout the world," said Ron Radigonda, executive director of the Amateur Softball Association of America. He worried about the ability of developing countries to build softball as a sport.

Radigonda also questioned why so many sports had to be left out.

"I really have no issue with the sports that were selected. They certainly have their place on a world stage, but I also believe that softball and squash and karate and other sports do as well," Radigonda said. "I think that the limiting of sports to 28 is really a question that needs to be raised."

[Party]

Sucks for softball. Don't really care about baseball in the Olympics. The WBC and MLB are really the sport's world championships anyways.

[Party]

Coe: 2016 Olympic race closer than 2012 contest

By STEPHEN WILSON
AP Sports Writer

Take it from a man who should know: The race for the 2016 Olympics is as close as can be.

Sebastian Coe, who engineered London's narrow victory for the 2012 Summer Games, said in an interview with The Associated Press on Monday that next month's 2016 vote is even more wide open.

Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo are the candidates. The International Olympic Committee will select the winner by secret ballot in Copenhagen on Oct. 2.

"I think this is probably even closer and tighter than the 2012 round," Coe said during a visit to AP's London offices. "I think we probably recognized at this stage in the 2012 round that London and Paris probably had the momentum, and you could probably at that point have looked at the other cities and said at least two of them are beginning to tread water. It's very difficult to say that about any of these cities."

Paris was widely considered the front-runner in the 2012 race, but London beat the French capital 54-50 in the fourth round of the voting in Singapore in 2005. Moscow, New York and Madrid were eliminated in the first three rounds.

The 2016 bid cities, representing four different continents, have been campaigning furiously going into the final weeks of the race with no obvious favorite or also-ran. Just getting through the first round in Copenhagen could be crucial.

"They are all cities quite capable of staging extraordinary games," said Coe, who heads London's Olympic organizing committee. "All have very smart, very clear visions. This one (race) is probably posing many IOC members bigger questions than for some of the other rounds."

Tony Blair, then British prime minister, traveled to Singapore and was instrumental in lobbying IOC members to vote for London. Vladimir Putin, as Russian president, helped secure the 2014 Winter Games for Sochi when he attended the IOC vote in Guatemala City in 2007.

Still unclear is whether President Barack Obama will go to Copenhagen to push Chicago's bid to bring the Summer Olympics back to the U.S. for the first time since the 1996 Atlanta Games.

"Clearly a city needs to show that it has seamless political support," Coe said. "All cities will decide how they demonstrate that. Some will demonstrate it by bringing their political heads of state along, others will demonstrate that by showing local commitment."

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will be in Copenhagen to try to persuade the IOC to send the Olympics to South America for the first time. King Juan Carlos of Spain will be there for Madrid's bid. Japan has invited incoming Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Crown Prince Naruhito to attend.

But Coe said there is no magic winning formula.

"The one thing I do know from the bid we were involved in and having become a little bit of a student of these bids, there isn't a set template," he said. "No city should be sitting there saying, 'London did this, Sochi did that, or Paris did this.' You have to do what you absolutely genuinely think is intrinsically a part of your narrative. Trying to do something simply because another city did it is a dangerous route."

On other issues, Coe reiterated that London's 2012 preparations are on time or even ahead of schedule despite the global recession. He said London has raised more than $820 million in sponsorship revenue.

"That's a great story - on balance more than any other host city raised to this point, and probably over the whole cycle of the project," Coe said. "We still have some very competitive and very vibrant conversations going on with other (sponsorship) categories."

Yet, with just under three years to go, Coe isn't complacent about the financial pressures.

"We wake up every morning making sure that we land this project on time and to budget," he said. "We have to forever make sure that our cost base is under control. ... We know that there are always going to be challenges on organizing committees. Landing the plane - we will land it, but we still have three years of hard work to do."

Coe said the post-games use of the Olympic Stadium will be up to a new government legacy company, but the venue will be downsized and used mainly for track and field.

The 80,000-seat stadium, which is under construction, is to be reduced to a 25,000-capacity venue after 2012. Some officials have said it should be kept at full capacity as part of England's bid for the 2018 World Cup.

"It's a stadium that is not going to remain at that size," Coe said. "It wouldn't be good legacy usage. ... As long as we have track and field as the primary purpose, but not uniquely, as long as we are creative about what we do and how we use and don't create white elephants, it is an issue for the legacy board."

Coe declined to talk about his future after the games, including speculation he could become president of the International Association of Athletics Federations. The two-time 1,500-meter Olympic gold medalist is an IAAF vice president.

"I'm focused on just one thing: that is being part of a team that delivers a spectacular Olympic and Paralympic Games in this city," Coe said. "Beyond that the world will have to sort itself out - 2012 for me is the only thing I think about."

As a track and field great, Coe has watched with amazement as Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt rewrites the record books, including his 9.58 seconds in the 100 meters and 19.19 seconds in the 200 at last month's world championships in Berlin.

Coe believes Bolt has the most room for improvement in the 200 and could possibly break the 19-second barrier. And how low can Bolt go in the 100?

"I'm not sure he can get under 9.4, but there is probably scope to start tickling around the 9.5 bit," Coe said. "I'm also fascinated by what this guy could do over 400 meters as well. That may be something he and his team are thinking about in 2012."

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/breaking-news/story/1221669.html

[Party]

Obama Heading to Copenhagen for Olympic Pitch

The president will leave Thursday night
By ANDREW GREINER
AP

President Obama will travel to Copenhagen to make a pitch for Chicago’s Olympic bid, White House officials have confirmed to NBC News.

Obama will leave for Denmark Thursday night, hours after his wife Michelle departs for the vote. The president made the final decision Saturday night after returning from the G20 summit in Pittsburgh.

"The President decided over the weekend that he wanted be a part of the final push as we enter the home stretch," Jarrett told Politico.com

"He did not want to leave any stone unturned. He is very excited about joining the First Lady for both the final presentation and the question and answer session. The Olympic spirit is about giving it your very best down to finish line and not taking anything for granted. That's what his presence in Copenhagen will demonstrate."

The announcement ends months of speculation of whether the president would lend his considerable fame to the pitch. The president has dropped hints all monthlong that he may attend the event.

Last week he sent an advance team to Copenhagen just in case he could make it and a letter he wrote to select IOC members seemed to hint that he would be there.

His attendance could help catapult Chicago past Madrid, Tokyo and Rio to win the 2016 Summer Games. International Olympic Committee members will vote on which of those four cities should receive the games on October 2. NBCChicago.com will be streaming live coverage of the vote.

Obama will round out a team of heavy-hitting supporters including Oprah, Valerie Jarrett, Michelle Obama and Arne Duncan.

The president called Mayor Richard Daley, who left for Copenhagen Friday, at 6:55 a.m. Eastern time to say that he was indeed going to Denmark.

“President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama symbolize the hope, opportunity and inspiration that makes Chicago great, and we are honored to have two of our city’s most accomplished residents leading our delegation in Copenhagen,” Daley said in a statement.

“Who better to share with members of the International Olympic Committee the commitment and enthusiasm Chicago has for the Olympic and Paralympic Movement than the President and First Lady.”

Patrick Ryan, CEO of Chicago 2016 is equally enthused.

“There is no greater expression of the support our bid enjoys, from the highest levels of government and throughout our country, than to have President Obama join us in Copenhagen for the pinnacle moment in our bid,” Ryan said. “We are honored that President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will be with us to extend a hand of friendship on behalf of our nation and the City of Chicago as we seek to welcome the world for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”


http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/Obama-Heading-to-Copenhagen-62317937.html

[Chewford]

We've all seen the olympics in Asia, Europe, and North America recently. Give South America a chance. Rio has a breath taking landscape that would be a great back drop for olympic events.

[marlins_virus.exe]

also the women are hot

i've never seen a chicago porn site

[Bobbob1313]

We've all seen the olympics in Asia, Europe, and North America recently. Give South America a chance. Rio has a breath taking landscape that would be a great back drop for olympic events.

The question is do they have the infrastructure? Weren't there questions about Brazil being able to host the World Cup in 2014?

[Party]

GameBids.com has the Rio bid slightly ahead of Chicago.

Rio Infrastructure (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrastructure_of_the_Rio_de_Janeiro_bid_for_the_2 016_Summer_Olympics)

[CrimsonCane]

Give me Chicago. I hope to be working there after graduation and having the Olympics in my city would be incredible. If anyone has visited recently, all the "Back the Bid" stuff around the city is really cool as the city is getting hopeful they get selected.

If Obama's appearance in Copenhagen can tip the scales in Chicago's favor, I'll take back 36% of the bad things I've said about him.

(Apparently, Oprah will be on hand as well)

[Party]

Chicago is even silencing dissent on the bid: http://drudgereport.com/flashocc.htm
--------------------
Also, seeing Chicago style corruption on an Olympic scale would be fun for anyone outside of the state of Illinois.

[Chewford]

If anyone can tip the scales in Chicago's favor, it would be the most powerful person in the world.

I am, of course, referring to Oprah.

[Party]

Rio goes on offensive against Chicago in Olympic bid race

COPENHAGEN (AFP) – The race to win the right to host the 2016 Olympics became increasingly bitter here on Tuesday as Rio de Janeiro went on the attack against bookmakers' favourites Chicago.

Rio - bidding to become the first South American city to host the Games - lodged an official complaint with the International Olympic Committee's Ethics Commission about a remark made by Chicago Mayor Richard M Daley which they took as a criticism of their bid - something that is not allowed under IOC rules.

Daley, who has been in power since 1989 and should he serve through 2010 will surpass his late father in becoming the longest-serving mayor of the city, was reported to have said last week that hosting the World Cup, as Brazil will do in 2014, was not the same as hosting the Olympics.

Rio believes that that implied they were incapable of hosting the Olympics and with just three days remaining until the vote by the 100-plus IOC members, they considered it worthy of being reported to the Ethics Commission.

However, while 67-year-old Daley refused to comment, Chicago bid chairman Pat Ryan, a long-time friend of the Mayor's, stepped into the breach to defend him.

"It's the first I have heard of this," said Ryan, who founded US global insurance broker Aon.

"However, I think Mayor Daley was misinterpreted and really every city has had grounds to file complaints during the campaign but we have decided not to file any and that's the bottom line.

"The Mayor is a very good and fair competitor. Obviously things can be said in the heat of the moment and of the battle," added the 70-year-old, who delivered a tubthumping performance worthy of a man of half his age.

Ladbrokes director Mike Dillon told AFP that while Chicago was 4/5 on favourite, the informed money was going on Rio who are at 13/8.

However, with finances uppermost among IOC members minds when it comes to awarding the Games Rio would not have welcomed the news that lack of funding, albeit for a World Cup swimming event, had led to it being cancelled.

Rio will also be desperately hoping that charismatic Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, their biggest supporter and flagbearer through the process, is revived when he arrives here as he had to pull out of a meeting with FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Tuesday on account of fatigue.

While emotions were running high amongst the two front runners, third favourites Tokyo (8/1 with Ladbrokes) were forced into having to deny that they lacked any emotion whatsoever, as several IOC members had pointed out to them that their presentations over the past 18 months had lacked any passion.

Tsunekazu Takeda, vice-president of the bid committee, said that while outwardly the Japanese generally did not show their emotions that did not mean they were cold and emotionless.

"It is generally said that Japanese people lack emotion," said Takeda, who represented Japan in showjumping at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics.

"Well we do (have emotions). We have them in our own style and we will make them felt."

Madrid did not make their presence felt as their official delegation does not arrive until Wednesday, a move that earned them 16/1 rank outsider odds from Ladbrokes' Dillon.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090929/ts_afp/oly2016_20090929180606

Rio de Janeiro has declared a public holiday Friday to allow its people to watch the International Olympic Committee announce whether the self-proclaimed “Marvellous City” will host the 2016 Games.

Up to 100,000 people are expected on Copacabana beach, where a giant screen will broadcast the ceremony live from Copenhagen, to see if Rio can hold off competition from Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e77bdb76-adbc-11de-bb8a-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1

[Party]

On October 2nd the IOC will elect the host city for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Each city will give final presentations to the voting International Olympic Committee members. The drawn order of the presentations is Chicago, Tokyo, Rio and Madrid. Each city will have 70 minutes including a period for questions and answers.

Chicago will present at 8:45 AM Tokyo will follow at 10:45 AM. Next is Rio de Janeiro at 12:05 PM, then Madrid at 2:15 PM.

After the presentations, the Evaluation Commission will review their report with the IOC members.

Voting will commence a 5:10 PM local time in Copenhagen - it will be by secret electronic balloting.

Any city requires 50% +1 votes to win a ballot. If no city receives enough votes to win, the bid with the least amount of votes is dropped from the ballot and the remaining cities are added to a new ballot. There could be as many as three ballots.

There are currently 106 IOC members. Members representing countries with a bid city on the ballot may not vote. There are two members from the United States, two from Japan, two from Brazil and one from Spain. These members may vote in subsequent ballots if their city is eliminated.

There is one suspended member who may not vote and the IOC President Jacques Rogge will not vote. In total, there are 97 eligible votes on the first ballot. This number may be reduced if any voters are excused.

If there is a tie vote on he final ballot - the IOC President can cast a tie-breaking vote.

After each ballot the IOC President will announce either that a winner has been declared or he will name the city that is eliminated from the next ballot. After the final ballot, the name of the winning city is sealed until the annoucement ceremony at 6:30 PM local time.

After the announcement, the host city contract signing will folllow at 7:30 PM.

http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/olympic_bids/2016_bid_news/1216134724.html

[Party]

Tokyo made the second presentation to IOC members, at 10:30 AM local time in Copenhagen. Following is a summary.

A fifteen year-old girl, gymnast, speaking in English, took the stage first.

"I'm not a head of state", she says.

She described, with images, climate change, discrimination, doping and challenges in the world of sport.　

Japanese International Olympic Committee member Chiharu Igaya intoduces new Prime Minister of Japan and others on the panel.

Newly-elected Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama took the stage.

"We really can make the world a better place, such is the magic of the Olympic Games." he said.

He described great efforts by the bid to impact world environmental concerns.

A video was shown describing Japan's efforts in the Olympic movement over the past 100 years, including the 1964 Tokyo Games.

Shintaro Ishihara, Governor of Tokyo, spoke about development in his region and cooperation with the Olympics.

A video showing typical people becoming involved in sport on a journey toward the Olympics and Paralympics

Ichiro Kono, Chairman and CEO of Tokyo 2016 took the podium.

"When Japanese people make a promise, we deliver."

"You've asked us to show more emotion."

"But we are full are spirit! We will deliver everything we say."

In French, the Kono spoke about public opinion in Tokyo - he said the evaluation visit was showed on major TV networks and since the IOC poll, public support has gone beyond 80%.

Japanese athletes, speaking in french and english, described the venue plans for the bid complete with visuals.

Yuko Arakido promised to teach athletes and visitors to the Tokyo Games karaoke.

Paralympian Junichi Kawai further described venues and commented on their accessibility - he described his dreams for the Games with great emotion.

Koji Murofushi, Tokyo 2016 Executive Board member presented more venue information.

Mikako Kotani, Tokyo 2016 Athletes Commission, described the goal of "setting the stage for athletes".

She presented a video showing the Games being staged in the center of "the largest city in the world". It described technology, the environment and visitor experience.

Tokyo 2016 Vice President Tsunekazu Takeda took the podium described the Games support for athletes and NOC's. He offered the IOC his committment to work under their leadership.

"Please give us the opportunity to host these Games - I ask this from my heart." Takeda said.

Kono took the stage again to discuss goals for anti-doping and peace in sport. He described uniting the youth of the world through the Olympics.

A video was presented showing young people around the world participating in sports.

Shun-ichiro Okano, Executive Board mamber made a short statement asking for support from the IOC along with Kono.

The floor was opened for questions.

Kono addressed a question about public support, reiterating that the rate has risen to over 80%

Kono also answered a question from Prince Albert of Monaco regarding the size of the land for the Olympic Village. He said he believed that it exceeded the requirements of the IOC.

The meeting was adjourned.

http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/olympic_bids/tokyo_2016/1216134726.html

Decision should come at roughly noon our time.

[Party]

By Paul Radford

COPENHAGEN, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva made an impassioned plea to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Friday, urging them to award an overdue first Games to both Brazil and South America in 2016.

Speaking for Rio de Janeiro, Lula said Brazil was the only one of the world's 10 most powerful nations to have never staged the Games. "I honestly think it is Brazil's turn," he told the IOC session which will choose the 2016 hosts from Chicago, Madrid, Rio and Tokyo later on Friday.

"It is South America's bid," he added. "This is a continent that has never held the Games. It is time to address this imbalance.

"The opportunity now is to extend the Games to a new continent. It's an opportunity for an Olympics in a tropical country for the first time, to feel the warmth of our people, the exuberance of our culture and the sensation of our joy.

"Rio is ready. Give us the chance and you will not regret it."

The charismatic Brazilian president and other members of the Rio bid team constantly stressed that European, North American and Far Eastern nations had held a virtual monopoly on the Modern Games since it was inaugurated in 1896.

The emphasis was clearly aimed at gaining an advantage over Chicago, in particular, seen by most observers as their most powerful rival after U.S. President Barack Obama flew in to make the case for the Windy City he regards as home.

Rio showed a telling graphic indicating the venues of previous Summer and Winter Games. Bid leader Carlos Nuzman said 30 had been in Europe, 12 in North America, of which eight in the United States, five in Asia and two in Australia -- but none in South America.

The slick Rio presentation took maximum advantage of the city's exotic and spectacular location, showing film of beaches, mountains and colourful and vibrant celebrations among the people.

Brazilian Central Bank governor Henrique Meirelles assured the IOC of the growing strength of the country's economy, saying it was the world's 10th largest and was forecast by the World Bank to be the fifth largest by 2016.

He said Brazil had weathered the recession well and had experienced eight percent growth in the second quarter of this year.

Sergio Cabral, governor of the state of Rio, said Brazil was effectively tackling its high crime rate and had staged the PanAmerican Games in 2007 without incident. "There will be no surprises in Rio for you," he said. "I promise we will deliver a safe and secure Games."

(Editing by Clare Fallon; To comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

http://www.reuters.com/article/olympicsNews/idUSL217654620091002

Hehe :insert political statement: But if Obama was the President elected to elevate the 'disenfranchised' to 'equal' status he should have made a speech on Rio's part :end political statement:

[Jewbility]

But Rio has big oil!!!! Where's the social justice there!!??

[Party]

Rumor has it that Japan has already been eliminated. The other cities are fighting for voters who voted for the Japanese bid.

[Chewford]

It's too bad Japan was never given the chance since it's people can show no emotion due to their lack of souls.

[Beef]

Chicago losed hard

[Party]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYQPTvLvAf4
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CNN is the only station showing the ceremony. I guess the IOC sells the rights to that too.
--------------------
IT'S RIO!

[Namaste]

It's Steve Bartman's fault

[Party]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuE60mq0r1Q

[Chewford]

But the children! Michelle Obama sacrificed so much for them!

[Bobbob1313]

"You have modernized the games without ever dimming the flame of tradition," Mr. Da Silva said, his voice rising. "The opportunity now is to expand the games to new continents. Light the cauldron in a tropical country, in the most beautiful of cities. Send a powerful message to the world that the Olympic Games belong to all people, all continents, and to all humanity."

I like it.

[Fish and Chips]

Poor Chicago: first they get screwed by Rios, then they get screwed by Rio ....

Jeff Blair's Twiter

[Chewford]

Man, the 2016 Olympics are going to pwn so hard. I've been to Rio and the natural landscape is stunning. A lot of the outdoorsy(not in stadiums) events are going to be fun to watch just because of the background. Hell, I might even try to go to experience it. Such a great place when you ignore the massive poverty and crime.

[Ice]

Two Girls One Cup is from Brasil.

This is what we can expect.