Which means, fellow Americans, that Chicago didn't. I think Ed Brayton is suggesting that soon we'll be hearing about how the Obamas ruined our chances, but the word on the street is a bit different. It is generally thought that Chicago's best chance was to get the African votes, and these votes didn't come through at least in part as a reaction from 8 years of being treated like crap by the US.
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Wait, is this because Obama is Kenyan?
No, sorry. The connection between us having an African president (from Kenya) and the African vote not going our way is non-existent (but I can see why one might think so from what I said).
What I'm saying is, that, as usual, and has happened again and again, it is NOT Obama's fault. It's bush's fault. Again.
I could see the validity of complaints about Obama if suddenly there had been a late yet successful entry from Mombasa.
I do, however, fear that voters may have rejected Chicago in part so as not to be seen pandering to the US and buying into the hero worship of Obama(and Oprah).
But, at the end of the day (as it were) there has never been an event anywhere in S.A., and they are ready for it. That's the reason.
Syed Shahid Ali, a Pakistani member of IOC, wondered "how smooth it would be for foreigners to enter the United States for the Games".
Thank Homeland Security for being such rude thugs.
Rio is a good pick, definitely would have been my choice.
Having an extremely vociferous anti-olympic-bid team there from Chicago probably didn't help their effort. Chicago was the first city voted out.
It should be pointed out, that the right and the GOP is going absolutely nuts over this. Because........
Bush's fault? While he didn't help, he's in a long line of presidents who asked of African countries: Do they have oil? Can we put a base there? Yes - then let's support the local right-wing fascist dictator. No? - let's leave them to rot instead.
As to tourists coming into the States, last time I tried that, the old lady next to me was arrested and frog-marched off by four policemen, all because she had an orange in her possession. Welcome to America, indeed. I believe that it has got much worse since.
As the world rejoices we are left with yet another sign the United States did not escape the Bush (UU) era unscathed. It was a good decision.
I love samba, and the dancing and parading that goes with it. I think these may be the most rhythmic and swaying opening ceremonies in history. Should be pretty awesome, actually.
I'm relieved to hear they only remember the last 8 years of it. I guess 8 years of really shitty treatment can wipe out memories of a decades of slightly less shitty treatment? (Not to mention centuries of truly abominable treatment?)
Rio deserves it, South America has never hosted the olympics. The US has hosted it 8 times.
Hey I don't know about you guys. But where would you rather go for two weeks if you were an Olympic official, Rio or Chicago? Think carefully now....hmm....
One word: Atlanta
I don't think many Americans are aware of how badly that grated on the rest of the world - first the US gets the Olympics for the second time in 20 odd years and then they completely stuff it up.*
Or think about what Samaranch said when asked (by Rogge I think on the second or third day when the scale of the disaster was completely apparent) "Why did we give these people the Games?":- "They lied" was Samaranch's response.
* The phrase used by the US press "logistical problems" whitewashes the whole thing. When even some competitors can't make it to their own events you *know* you've got a transportation problem
Then it got blowd up too.