Why France Loss the 2012 Olympic Bid

And, it's not because France sucks. Forgot the American rouse of anti-France regards. In all actuality, I have quite the affection for the French people, culture, and the country. My personal sentiment is that we, actually screwed over France. Bittersweet if you give it some thought for the conservative America, but before I say why France loss the Olympic bid, I would like to say how close all bids were and how the votes really came down to London, Madrid, and France.

Importantly, all three really deserved to win. I admire New York's run, but come on, imagine the rush hour traffic in the summer. Which sports team will move to what stadium? The Mets or the Yankees? The Jets or the Giants? Top with the fact that Ground Zero is still a big hole with no substantial plan for development is just sad. Those 3,000 people deserve more than just a hole in the ground. Those developers, city and governmental officials, and people in general need to get their head out of their asses and do something. If we can start bombing Afghanistan after 9/11, then we can sure pay tribute to all the brave men and women and innocent victims of the tragic and cowardly event. Anyway, I digress. Hillary Clinton can digress way from the Olympics now too, because New York really didn't deserve to spend the money on the Olympics anyway. Maybe 2020 or 2024

From the IOC's website for official stuff,

The host city of the Games of the XXX Olympiad will be elected at the 117th IOC Session in Singapore on 6 July 2005, when a secret ballot is held among all IOC members. The announcement of the winning city is expected to be made at 7.30 p.m. (GMT+8)

Voting procedure
Voting will take place in successive rounds until one candidate receives a majority of those voting. The ballot continues until one candidate gets an absolute majority of the votes cast. IOC members from a country whose city is a candidate in the election must abstain from taking part in the vote.
Non-votes, spoiled votes, and abstentions do not count toward the calculation of the majority. For example, if 100 members are present, but four (4) abstain, the number of votes needed to win is 49. If no candidate city achieves a majority in the first round, the candidate with the fewest votes drops out of the running, and the members vote again on the remaining candidates. If two or more cities are tied for the lowest number of votes, a runoff election will be held between them, with the winner going on to the next round.

Voting Results

First round
London 22, Paris 21, Madrid 20, New York 19, Moscow 15 (eliminated)

Second round
Madrid 32, London 27, Paris 25, New York 16 (eliminated)

Third round
London 39, Paris 33, Madrid 31 (eliminated)

Fourth round
London 54, Paris 50 (eliminated)


As you can see, London has been the favorite among the voting members of the IOC, which is contrary to all the hype of Paris being the heavy favorite to win the bid. Surprisingly though, Madrid also showed a strong showing with the voting members. Now moving to politics now, with elimination of each candidate city, their votes are distributed across the board. So, political sentiment would have played a role. I could have said could, but these days politics always play a role in anything important and which involves "voting".

Now I have to say, both Paris and London have many strengths in their bid. These rival cities have so much to impress and give, that no wonder why they've been having the sibling rivalry syndrome for centuries. In London, three marquee venues really stick out; Wembley Stadium, Wimbledon, and Hyde Park., in another words, Soccer, Tennis, and Fun. These exciting ventures are the heart of London and of the world. Besides the point of remembering WWF wresting and the World Bowl at Wembley and the movie with Kirsten Dunst, the more positive light that these two ventures represent can probably win the Olympic bids by itself. Now put together Paul McCartney, U2, and Oasis on stage at Hyde Park for some concerts and Olympic bonding, that is just like having extra frosting with an extra cherry on top.

To complicate the venture matters, Paris offers some stiff competition, specifically Roland Garros and the famous Champs Elysees. I believe the last time tennis was played on Olympic clay was Barcelona. Seriously, Wimbledon vs. Roland Garros, I'll pay to see that. Plus, I'll pay to see the Olympic procession marching down the Champs Elysees. That would be a beautiful sight. The Champs Elysees is probably the most beautiful street in the world. Forget Time Square in New York. Can Broadway and Seventh Ave., contain the riders of the Tour de France? Ironically, that would be a fun sight. Granted, a cycling event on dirty Times Square in the 70's is a lot more enjoyable to watch. Come on, those cyclists are as skinny as the crack-whores back in those days.

Regardless, Paris was ready. The World Cup of '98 was held in Paris. The Tour de France and the French Open happens every year in Paris. The IAAF World Track and Field Championships were held in Paris in 2003. Again, Paris was ready, maybe, too ready. Their economy is not comparable to England. Plus, when the IOC visited Paris, there was a transportation strike, but the people still cheered. The public wanted the Olympics. Maybe the Spanish had a little more desire, but Celine Dion, Tony Parker, and the President Chirac all wanted the games in France.

In the end, only one city could host the Olympic Games. In 2007 we’ll know who will host the Winter Olympic Games. Coincidently, Albertville, France hosted it 1992. Paris hasn’t hosted the Olympic Games since 1924. Poor old French, maybe the Winter Olympics Games held recently held their fate. The IOC doesn’t like to hold recent Olympics within the same continent as the previous Olympics: Seoul, Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney, Athens, and China. Unfortunately, with that logic, we may not see Paris be a contender until 2016 or 2020. South America and Latin America has yet to host the Olympic Games, except for Mexico in 1968. I really would like to see Buenos Aires or Rio as Olympic Candidate Cities. Think about it, if Manu still has it then maybe he’ll bring better luck than his Spurs teammate did. Maybe Carnaval will put everyone in a good mood, especially the IOC Selection Committee.

You know, Chicago has yet to host the Olympic Games. We have Soldiers Field, US Cellular and Wrigley Field, Michigan Avenue, and even hosted popular events like the NBA Finals, Chicago Marathon, the World Cup in 1994, the World’s Fair, and heck, the World Series. Put me on the Buenos Aires or Chicago 2016 Olympic Candidate City committee. I’ll make sure we’ll bring to Chicago. Hopefully by then the Cubs or Soxs will win a championship. In all reality, Paris doesn’t yet begun to look hopeless as the Cubs and Soxs.

Paris, three strikes does not mean you’re necessarily out. To think about it, the Buffalo Bills went to four championships. Granted, that they choked each time. Paris, you are better than Buffalo. You have bread and fries named after you. You have culture and life, unlike most of America. You have the world best wine and cheese. Maybe not with beer or fish and chips, but hey, you can’t win them all. You have some work to do. Build up your economy and shake off defeat. Keep going for the other massive sporting events. Maybe work with the United States, the E.U. and other countries more. The E.U. Constitution thing was sort of embarassing There’s the G8 meeting in Scotland, so why don’t you start making the most of it now. Heck, thousands did this past weekend.

We may have screwed you, but it’s not all our fault. Instead of pointing the finger, just look on the bright side of life. Do a little whistle, have some wine, and just say…C’est La Vie!