As The Wind Blows: Sources Say Chicago The Leader For 2016 Games
Chicago has "emerged as the front-runner in the race for the 2016 Olympics," according to sources cited by Kathy Bergen of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Sources said that Chicago 2016's "low-key, deferential approach is playing well among international sports leaders." An IOC member said, "It's Chicago's to lose. If they don't muck it up, they should win." Other sources said that Chicago "is in a position of strength," but that it is too soon to determine a host city. Chicago 2016 "rejects any suggestion that it is leading." Chicago 2016 Communications Dir Patrick Sandusky: "We think it's still far too early in this race to identify any city as the front-runner, with four world-class cities in the race, all with compelling campaigns." The IOC will select between Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo on October 2, 2009, in Copenhagen. Bergen reported Rio "could well be Chicago's toughest rival because 2016 is likely to be viewed as a year for the Americas." Canadian IOC member Dick Pound: "The Madrid bid will suffer to some degree because of London 2012 being in Europe and Sochi 2014 being in Europe. And Tokyo will suffer by its proximity to the Beijing Games" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/24).
TOKYO'S BID: Tokyo said that, if selected, it would “hold a ‘compact’ Games that will be easier on finances and on the environment.” Tokyo 2016 officials said that access from the proposed Athletes’ Village to most Olympic venues “will take 18 minutes or less on public transport,” which is a “contrast to Beijing’s sprawling Olympics.” The WALL STREET JOURNAL’s Hiroko Tabuchi reports there also will be “no big construction rush: The city intends to recycle some venues from Tokyo’s 1964 Olympics.” The bid “addresses concerns among national and international Olympics officials that host cities are going overboard with their spending.” Tokyo 2016 Chair Ichiro Kono said, “We don’t feel like Beijing's set the standard in any way. We’re not aiming to be big” (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/25).
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