Bids for the 2016 Summer Olympics

Bids for the
2016 (2016) Summer Olympics

Overview
Games of the XXXI Olympiad
Shortlist: Chicago · Madrid · Rio de Janeiro · Tokyo
Details
Previous Games hosted

Seven cities submitting bids to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, formally known as Games of the XXXI Olympiad, were recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Committee shortlisted four of them—Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo. Tokyo and Madrid are regarded as technical favourites, but recent games held in Asia and Europe could hinder their applications. Rio de Janeiro would become the first South American city to host the Olympics.

After a technical evaluation of the seven original bids, the top four were shortlisted on June 4, 2008, becoming official candidates. The remaining applicant cities—Baku, Doha, and Prague—were eliminated. Two of the four candidate cities are highly recognised national capitals, which lent an increased competitive interest to the final bidding phase. Tokyo and Madrid earned the top scores during the application phase. This is followed by a lengthy and intensive bidding process which will finish with the election of the 2016 Games host city at the 121st IOC Session in Copenhagen, Denmark, on October 2, 2009.

Bidding process

The Olympic bidding process begins with the submission of a city's application to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by its National Olympic Committee (NOC) and ends with the election of the host city by the members of the IOC during an ordinary session. The process is governed by the Olympic Charter, as stated in Chapter 5, Rule 34.

Since 1999, the process has consisted of two phases. During the first phase, which begins immediately after the bid submission deadline, the "applicant cities" are required to answer a questionnaire covering themes of importance to a successful Games organisation. This information allows the IOC to analyse the cities' hosting capacities and the strengths and weaknesses of their plans. Following a detailed study of the submitted questionnaires and ensuing reports, the IOC Executive Board selects the cities that are qualified to proceed to the next phase. The second phase is the true candidature stage: the accepted applicant cities (from now on referred to as "candidate cities") are required to submit a second questionnaire in the form of an extended, more detailed, candidature file. These files are carefully studied by the IOC Evaluation Commission, a group composed of IOC members, representatives of international sport federations, NOCs, athletes, the International Paralympic Committee, and international experts in various fields. The members of the Evaluation Commission then make four-day inspection visits to each of the candidate cities, where they check the proposed venues and are briefed about details of the themes covered in the candidature file. The Evaluation Commission communicates the results of its inspections in a report sent to the IOC members up to one month before the electing IOC Session.

The IOC Session in which a host city is elected takes place in a country that did not submit an application to stage the Olympics. The election is made by the assembled active IOC members (excluding honorary and honour members), each possessing one vote. Members from countries that have a city taking part in the election cannot vote while the city is in the running. The voting is conducted in a succession of rounds until one bid achieves an absolute majority of votes; if this does not happen in the first round, the bid with the fewest votes is eliminated and another voting round begins. In the case of a tie for the lowest number of votes, a special runoff vote is carried out, with the winner proceeding to the next round. After each round, the eliminated bid is announced. Following the announcement of the host city, the successful bid delegation signs the "Host City Contract" with the IOC, which delegates the responsibilities of the Games organisation to the city and respective NOC.

Evaluation of applicant cities

The deadline to submit applications for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games was September 13, 2007. The seven cities that submitted bids before that date also met the January 14, 2008 deadline for submission of the first phase questionnaire. Through analysis of the questionnaires, the IOC gave a weighted-average score to each city based on the scores obtained in each of the questionnaire's eleven themes: political and social support, general infrastructure, sports venues, Olympic Village, environment, accommodation, transport, security, past experience, finance, and legacy. If a bid's score was higher than six (IOC's predefined benchmark score), the city was considered highly capable of hosting the Games; otherwise, its chances were very slim. On June 4, 2008, the IOC announced the cities accepted as candidates:

• Tokyo — scored 8.3 (bid details)
• Madrid — scored 8.1 (bid details)
• Chicago — scored 7.0 (bid details)
• Rio de Janeiro — scored 6.4 (bid details)
• Doha — scored 6.9 (bid details)
• Prague — scored 5.3 (bid details)
• Baku — scored 4.3 (bid details)

Four of the five highest-rated applicants progressed to the next phase as official candidate cities. As stipulated, the IOC granted them the right to use the Olympic rings on their candidature emblem, together with a label identifying each as a Candidate City. The International Olympic Committee went against precedent when it selected Rio de Janeiro over Doha—a city which scored higher yet was eliminated from the field. Doha's weaknesses of a small population, lack of facilities, and Games dates outside of the IOC's desired window may have been too large an obstacle for the IOC to accept. Typically, the IOC selects all the top scoring bids which reach the established minimum benchmark.

Candidate cities overview

Tokyo

Main article: Tokyo 2016 Olympic bid

Tokyo
Overview
Tokyo 2016 Summer Olympics bid logo.
Details
Score	8.3
Status	Candidate city
Country	Japan

The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) chose Tokyo over Fukuoka in August 2006. The bid may be strengthened by the success of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which Japan co-hosted with South Korea. Japan also has past Olympic experience as the host of the 1964 Games in Tokyo, the 1972 Winter Games in Sapporo, and the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano.

Tokyo is touting "the most compact and efficient Olympic Games ever" with a dramatic setting on the shores of Tokyo Bay. Similar to other past winning cities, Tokyo will refurbish a run-down industrial area, and also reclaim some land from the bay. A new stadium will seat 100,000 (and later be scaled back to 80,000) and the Olympic village will consist of five high-rises representing the Olympic rings overlooking the water. Otherwise, the Japanese will need to build only two venues, refurbishing many venues from its 1964 Summer Olympic Games which are just 20 minutes from the planned site and also just minutes from the famed Ginza district. Tokyo has also stressed its "green" approach to plans. Tokyo has raised its public support from 62% in December 2007 to 72% in March 2008, but is still trailing behind the other lead cities.

Therefore, it has continued its attempts to popularize the bid in high profile venues and events, such as the Tokyo Marathon. A "been there, done that" attitude may pervade as the Beijing Games will have been held nearby eight years before, as well as Tokyo's own previous hosting. Specifically, the voting only one year after Beijing may interfere with Tokyo's bid. Tokyo's logo is a musubi, a traditional knot which signifies times of blessing, in this case using the Olympic colors.

Madrid

Main article: Madrid 2016 Olympic bid

Madrid
Overview
Madrid 2016 Summer Olympics bid logo.
Details
Score	8.1
Status	Candidate city
Country	Spain

The same day London was chosen for organizing the 2012 Summer Olympics, the mayor of Madrid spoke of an interest to make a bid for the 2016 games. Considering its strong showing in the 2012 bidding, one year later, the city council unanimously voted for the submission of a new bid. In May 2007, mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón filed with the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE, Template:Lang-es) as the only Spanish candidate for the Games. The Spanish Field Hockey Federation vice-chairwoman Mercedes Coghen was chosen as chairwoman of the project. Former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch offered his help in this new attempt.

Madrid benefits from its strong reputation from the 2012 bid as well as having 85% of venues in place and many experiences hosting Olympic qualifying events. Recent plans have stressed two clusters of venues, one on the east side, the other along the Manzanares River.

The bid is also popular with the Madrileños, boasting 85% support and 60% believing they can win the bid. One potential problem is that no continent has hosted successive Summer Games since 1952, when Helsinki followed London as host city. London is hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Furthermore, the 2014 Winter Olympics are also slated for Europe in the Russian city of Sochi. Bid head Coghen has pointed out, however, that the IOC chooses "cities, not continents". The bid logo is a colored hand print called "Corle" welcoming citizens to Madrid. An "m" is hidden in the palm standing for Madrid. It was selected via a public contest.

Chicago

Main article: Chicago 2016 Olympic bid

Chicago
Overview
Chicago 2016 Summer Olympics bid logo.
Details
Score	7.0
Status	Candidate city
Country	United States

On April 14, 2007, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) chose Chicago to run in the 2016 Olympic bidding. Chicago was expected to host the 1904 Summer Olympics but those Olympic Games ultimately took place in St. Louis, to coincide with the World's Fair. The last summer Olympic games to be hosted by the Americas was the 1996 Games in Atlanta. Chicago has an extensive public transit system, a wide range of venues, and a strong sports culture. The planned dramatic setting for Olympics on the shores of Lake Michigan, as well as the entirely urban experience are positive factors. Chicago is one of few cities in the United States to host professional men and women's hockey, baseball, basketball, soccer, and American football teams. Another possible benefit is the city's central location in the United States, since the Central Time Zone is well-suited to the North American television coverage for television networks and cable broadcasting, which in turn benefits NBC, the media company which pays the highest broadcasting rights to the IOC. Plans include a temporary Olympic Stadium in Washington Park on the city's South Side, a swimming venue on the West Side, and a number of events at McCormick Place convention center and the lakeshore as well as the Olympic Village just south of the Loop. 22 of the 27 Olympic venues will be in four clusters within 15 km of the Olympic Village. Five new venues and eleven temporary venues will be built for the games.

The bid costs (US$49.3 million) are being borne by the private sector as are the costs of the games. The cost of the infrastructure will be financed by the government. Chicago is reported to be the strongest contender in terms of infrastructure, support, and money. However Chicago was ranked 3rd by an IOC evaluation report as to the technical aspect of their bid behind Tokyo and Madrid. Some IOC members also resent the large share of revenue taken by the United States Olympic Committee. The logo is a 6-pointed star, as found on the flag of the City of Chicago, with colors representing the sun in the sky, green parklands, and blue waters of Lake Michigan.

Rio de Janeiro

Main article: Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic bid

Rio de Janeiro
Overview
Rio de Janeiro 2016 Summer Olympics bid logo.
Details
Score	6.4
Status	Candidate city
Country	Brazil

Rio de Janeiro was named by the Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOC) as Brazil's applicant for the 2016 Games on September 1, 2006. Its natural beauty and its time zone convenient to North American broadcasting (see Chicago, above) are two positive factors, although it has been noted that many of the key facilities are far from the iconic Ipanema beach area. Recently, Rio hosted the XV Pan American Games, an event considered to be "the key proving ground for an Olympic bid", because a logistical success organizing the event could improve the city's bidding campaign for the 2016 Olympic Games. These Games were named by the Pan American Sports Organisation (PASO) president, Mario Vázquez Raña, as the "best Pan American Games in history". Vazquez later tempered his enthusiasm in an interview where he described the games as "Good but not perfect," but had "open[ed] a door". Public concern over security issues remains in Rio de Janeiro, as well as transportation issues, which had some difficulties during the Pan Am Games. Since the Games, the Brazilian government approved a 70 km double highway which should help smooth traffic in greater region. Furthermore, Brazil's chance at the 2016 Games took a major hit on October 30, 2007 when it was announced by FIFA that Brazil would host the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

International Olympic Committee head Jacques Rogge is eager to have either South America or Africa hosting the Games, as these are locations that have never held them. As with Chicago, the Summer Games have not been held in the Americas for twenty years, and to date, the Olympic Games in the Americas have only been held in North America. Carlos Arthur Nuzman, BOC president and chairman of the XV Pan American Games Organizing Committee, is personally working to produce the best possible bid. Nuzman, popular in the IOC, has been cited as a positive force to be reckoned with. Rio's logo is a heart shaped figure suggesting the Sugar Loaf and surrounding areas in verdant green, with a yellow rising sun and blue waters. The "1" in 2016 is an exclamation mark underlining the excitement of the games.

Applicant cities overview

Doha

Main article: Doha 2016 Olympic bid

Doha
Overview
Doha 2016 Summer Olympics bid logo.
Details
Score	6.9
Status	Applicant city
Country	Qatar

Doha submitted its bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics after its hosting of the 2006 Asian Games, spending US$2.8 billion on infrastructure and venues. The Doha 2016 bid won much regional support, for example from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) president and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The Aspire Zone Sports City was to be the centerpiece of the bid, much as it served in the 2006 Asian Games. Qatar is in a growth period due to its petroleum reserves, and like Baku, is well situated to finance a large event. Doha is the only city in the Arab World other than Cairo to mount a serious bid, with pundits speculating the IOC may reward it by promoting it to the final shortlist. Although in a troubled area, Qatar is known as an open-minded country which is promoting acceptance and change and promoted a strong message of peace and acceptance for the region. In July and August, the average temperature in Doha can easily reach 40° C (104°F), thus they proposed mounting the Games in October. It is not without precedent (eg Mexico City), but is technically outside the requirements. As Doha and Qatar in general (500,000 and 1,400,000 inhabitants, respectively) is among the smallest cities to bid to host the modern games, the Qataris would have to be innovative in bringing in spectators from neighboring countries to raise ticket sales. A side consideration is that like Azerbaijan, Qatar also has a short Olympic legacy, and has been criticised for its practice of giving "passports of convenience" to foreign athletes to pad their record.

Only two new venues were to have been built, a velodrome and a baseball stadium, although a new Athletes' village was to be designed. Khalifa International Stadium currently seats 50,000, under the 60,000 to meet the IOC standards. Also, Qatar has plans to build the world's most advanced Paralympics stadium and the world's first underground stadium for matches during the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. The Doha logo for the 2016 bid is the al dahma, the flower of the spring. The design uses motifs from traditional henna decorations and Doha is written in Arabic in the design.

Prague

Main article: Prague 2016 Olympic bid

Prague
Overview
Prague 2016 Summer Olympics bid logo.
Details
Score	5.3
Status	Applicant city
Country	Czech Republic

On March 22, 2007, Prague confirmed its bid when the Prague Assembly voted 53-10-3 in support of launching an official bid. One of the most beautiful and visited cities in Europe, Prague fulfills the cultural aspects that the IOC seeks in a candidate. With a strong sports history and excellent accommodations, Prague had potential to make a memorable host. However, Prague has few venues in place; the plans included building three sport centers – a velodrome for cyclists in Prague or Brno; a swimming stadium that would be constructed from the existing Prague-Sutka Aquapark; and the major Olympic complex to be built in Letnany. At the Aquapark, circular pools would be built to represent the Olympic rings. Other boating venues would be in Lipno, Racice, and Troja. Prague will use the Sazka Arena for gymnastics, and in someway the city planned to use or refurbish Strahov Stadium. Further details have stressed that perhaps only 30% of construction would leave a permanent legacy.

After initial support from civic authorities such as mayor Pavel Bem, Prague's bid became a long-shot. Considering the lack of current stadia and other important Olympic sports infrastructure and the 2012 London hosting of the games, Prague was warming up for a later Olympic bid. Prague struggled with broader support in the Czech Republic; even president Václav Klaus publicly worried about budget estimates and white elephants. A public opinion poll in October 2007 mustered a quite low 50% support. Prague's bid logo features a branch from a laurel wreath, a traditional symbol of victory and celebration.

Baku

Main article: Baku 2016 Olympic bid

Baku
Overview
Baku 2016 Summer Olympics bid logo.
Details
Score	4.3
Status	Applicant city
Country	Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, announced its bid for the Olympics, with initial studies suggesting that the cost of hosting the 2016 Summer Olympic Games could be $20 billion. The capital of a petroleum rich nation with a booming economy, Baku had plenty of money to fund the games. Unfortunately, the city's infrastructure had deteriorated since the breakup of the Soviet Union and its long border with Iran may have been cause for concerns over security risks, although Iran itself supported the bid.

In addition, there are three frozen political conflicts in the South Caucasus region. A lesser factor considered by the IOC is the host nation's sport legacy. Azerbaijan has been an independent nation only a short time, so its Olympic history is also short, sending teams since only 1996 and claiming only three gold medals so far.

The Azerbaijani Organizing Committee established its bid committee in November 2007, installing first vice premier Yagub Eyubov as head. Sports Minister Azad Ragimov was aided by the Caspian American Group to prepare the bid book with the assistance of the government.

Baku's elimination was not unexpected, as one insider cited that practically no sports facilities meet global standards, the underdeveloped tourist sector, and regional conflicts. He cited 2020 or 2024 as times when Baku will have more serious arguments to win a bid. Baku's logo depicts images from the Gobustan Rock Plateau, which features the remains of settlements and burials reflecting ancient human culture.

Potential cities overview

• Australia: Several cities expressed interest, such as Brisbane.
• Thailand: Bangkok expressed much enthusiasm after their strong performance in the 2004 Games, but instead applied to host the 2010 Youth Games.
• Argentina: Buenos Aires
• South Africa: Cape Town and Durban expressed interest.
• India: Delhi was originally set to enter a bid; however, in April 2007 it announced it would bid for the 2020 games instead.
• United Arab Emirates: Dubai was also posed to make a serious bid, but in the end did not for unknown reasons.
• Japan: Fukuoka and Sapporo were other internal candidates eliminated by the JOC.
• United States: Houston and Philadelphia were eliminated by the USOC, San Francisco withdrew when it lost stadium funding and Los Angeles lost to Chicago for the bid.
• Turkey: Istanbul broke with its standing policy to bid for every game, but vowed to try again.
• Portugal: Lisbon considered bidding.
• Mexico: Monterrey: The Mexican Olympic committee declined to place a bid. San Diego (United States) and Tijuana (Mexico) discussed a joint bid.
• Canada: Montreal and Toronto abandoned any plans for a bid after Vancouver won the 2010 Winter Olympics.
• Kenya: Nairobi: The sports minister expressed interest in a bid, but the Kenyan Olympics head said it was not the right time.
• Italy: Rome was a leading candidate for a time, but they pulled out, preferring to wait for 2020.
• United States / Mexico: San Diego and Tijuana discussed a joint bid for what would have been the first binational Olympics.
• Brazil: São Paulo was asked about hosting the Olympics, but the Brazilian Olympic Committee - COB, opted for Rio de Janeiro.

Predicting indices

The site GamesBids.com, created in 1998, features BidIndex.com, which specializes in evaluations of Olympic Games bids. It periodically releases an analysis of the candidates and assigns them a score between 0 and 100. The score produces a number that can be used to rate a bid relative to past successful bids - and possibly gauge its potential future success. A similar site, Around the Rings, publishes a rival index, based on a scale of 0 to 110.

Notes

1. ^{^} Released on May 28, 2008.
2. ^{^} Released on May 30, 2008.

External links

Official bid sites:

• Baku 2016
• Chicago 2016
• Doha 2016
• Madrid 2016
• Prague 2016
• Rio 2016
• Tokyo 2016

Official IOC documents

• Candidature Acceptance Procedure