1. I doubt the recent gang violence had anything to do with their decision.
2. I doubt Blago had any thing to do with their decision.
3. Does the international community have any knowledge of Oprah?
4. I doubt the current President had much to do with their decision. That is why the stupid speeches of "how much I want the Olympics in Chicago" were a dumb move. His trip is a high profile loss and he fairly or not will be saddled with it. (for about a week, until some new Jon and Kate news comes out.) But the problem is he and his people thought his very presence would make a difference. Look, if Juan Antonio Samaranch's empassioned speech didn't work, why would Obama's?
5. Why wasn't Michael Jordon there? Or if he was, why haven't we heard about it?
6. The final 4 cities were selected over a year ago, so to rush in and say it is Bush's fault is acknowledging only a small part of the decision making process.
8. I think the fact that about half of the citizens didn't want it there had some bearing.
7. Rio is the first South American city that has put up any kind of argument that suggests they could handle it.
8. The US's standing worldwide is down, but it is not just our Iraq involvement. Our dollar is down, our debt is up, we look weak. If you look like a wimp people will walk all over you, and not just in the location selection of sporting events.
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I was living in NY back in, 04, was it, when NYC was making a push to hold the OGs. Not much support locally, and, when one sees what the US Open does when it comes to town, you begin to wonder what an event many times larger would do. Cities like NY, LA (how did 1984 work out for the City of Angels, I dont recall as I was 7 years old...) and Chicago don't need any marquis events to call attention or generate revenue for their cities. Atlanta, Denver, or Seattle may be better suited for these mega-events. I'd love to see Detroit, my beloved hometown, clean up just enough to put together a bid. That would be something. Abandoned Ford factories could be converted to athlete housing and the Lions players may discover some new sports they can actually play!
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