2016 Olympics: Obama factor is key
Sep 29, 2009
COPENHAGEN - The four cities bidding for the prize honour of hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics began three intensive days of lobbying on Tuesday with the Obama factor looming large ahead of Friday’s vote by the IOC.
COPENHAGEN - The four cities bidding for the prize honour of hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics began three intensive days of lobbying on Tuesday with the Obama factor looming large ahead of Friday’s vote by the IOC.
The White House announcement on Monday that President Barack Obama would fly in to the Danish capital to appear before the International Olympic Committee in support of Chicago’s bid for the Games was the news the other three candidates least wanted.
Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo all fear that the IOC membership could be swayed by Obama’s charismatic appeal, as they were four years ago when then British prime minister Tony Blair helped persuade them to choose London over clear favourites Paris for the 2012 Summer Games.
Two years later then Russian president Vladimir Putin was similarly persuasive when the Black Sea resort of Sochi, rank outsiders, won the right to stage the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Obama, who has close connections with the Windy City, had originally opted to stay at home to deal with his health care reform plans and announced that First Lady Michelle Obama would travel instead to Copenhagen.
Chicago bid leaders were delighted by Monday’s news which means both Obamas will now be part of the team making the presentation to the IOC membership on Friday.
Before the announcement of Obama’s visit, Rio were rated as marginal favourites over Chicago with Madrid and Tokyo close behind in a contest widely seen as the closest ever.
There was little doubt among observers that the Obama factor has tipped the odds in Chicago’s favour but, in such a close contest, late lobbying has often been decisive.
OC’s 115 membership, including Uganda, are expected here in the next two days for the final stretch of lobbying.
The White House announcement on Monday that President Barack Obama would fly in to the Danish capital to appear before the International Olympic Committee in support of Chicago’s bid for the Games was the news the other three candidates least wanted.
Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo all fear that the IOC membership could be swayed by Obama’s charismatic appeal, as they were four years ago when then British prime minister Tony Blair helped persuade them to choose London over clear favourites Paris for the 2012 Summer Games.
Two years later then Russian president Vladimir Putin was similarly persuasive when the Black Sea resort of Sochi, rank outsiders, won the right to stage the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Obama, who has close connections with the Windy City, had originally opted to stay at home to deal with his health care reform plans and announced that First Lady Michelle Obama would travel instead to Copenhagen.
Chicago bid leaders were delighted by Monday’s news which means both Obamas will now be part of the team making the presentation to the IOC membership on Friday.
Before the announcement of Obama’s visit, Rio were rated as marginal favourites over Chicago with Madrid and Tokyo close behind in a contest widely seen as the closest ever.
There was little doubt among observers that the Obama factor has tipped the odds in Chicago’s favour but, in such a close contest, late lobbying has often been decisive.
OC’s 115 membership, including Uganda, are expected here in the next two days for the final stretch of lobbying.