Bidding for the Games: No Drama for Obama as 2016 Cities Present in Istanbul

IOC members have conflicting ideas on whether President-elect Obama will have a major impact onChicago's 2016 bid. (ATR/M. Bisson)Opinion is divided among delegates at the European Olympic Committees congress over the impact of a video message from U.S. President-elect Barack Obama that formed part of Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid pitch to the continental association Friday. Delegations from Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo also made their cases in 15-minute time slots before the EOC general assembly.

In his 90-second video address to the EOC conference, Obama said the Olympics is "an opportunity for our nation to reach out, welcome the world to our shores and strengthen our friendships across the globe."

"I'm very proud to have brought you this message today," said the Chicago native, whose measured tone contrasted with the rousing speeches that characterized his presidential campaign. Bid leader Patrick Ryan said support for the 2016 campaign now "reached from the city hall to the White House in Washington D.C."

But there was a muted reaction from delegates, suggesting the Obama moment will not give Chicago quite the lift it was hoping for in the 2016 bid race.

One IOC member told ATR that he thought Chicago "has jumped to pole position," despite the technical merits of all four bids being "almost even." He commented that Obama could help Chicago win the Olympics if he attends the IOC Session in Copenhagen where the vote for the host city takes place next October.

Another IOC member indicated that the attention of the bid cities to their Olympic concepts was more important than any show of government support: "There are four excellent bids this time. It's very difficult to judge."

"All presentations were very professional," said a third IOC member, who noted that all the bids had demonstrated unequivocal government support for their Olympic ambitions. "This race is not a sprint, it's a marathon. It is useless to speculate who is leading."

Chicago

Notwithstanding Obama's contribution, Chicago 2016 bid leaders delivered a punchy presentation that effectively conveyed the city's passion for sports. There were also two other videos.

Ryan's booming voice benefited the pitch as he pledged to provide a wonderful Games experience with full stadiums and sport integrated "with everything the city has to offer."

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, IOC member Anita DeFrantz, director of sport Bill Scherr and USOC Vice President Bob Ctvrtlik played their parts in a smoothly orchestrated presentation, explaining why Chicago was bidding and giving an overview of the plans. The total 27 venues are arranged in four clusters – 91 percent of athletes will be within 15 minutes of their competition venues.

But Ryan had the best lines. "Chicago inspires, Chicago unites and Chicago will do everything in its power to help strengthen the Olympic Movement. We have been preparing for generations; we are ready for this moment," he concluded.

He later told ATR that he felt the city's message was well received by the EOC congress. The bid's profile was boosted earlier in the day by a wraparound advertising supplement in the International Herald Tribune newspaper.

Tokyo

Tokyo 2016's presentation led by IOC Vice President Chiharu Igaya stuttered off the blocks; Igaya introduced his team but barely mentioned the bid concept. He left bid chair Ichiro Kono to provide a bit of sparkle in what was a fairly low-key pitch by the Japanese delegation. Only one video was shown.

Tokyo's bid presentation had a slow start, but chair Ichiro Kono brought it back to life. (ATR/M. Bisson)The major plus points were the numerous direct references to conference delegates. Kono said the bid was in Istanbul "to listen to your needs and expectations" for the Olympics.

Kono's appeal to the European audience was helped when he cited the EOC's anti-obesity program "Get up and Go," saying that the sports world in Japan would study and learn from the pilot scheme. "We are eager to integrate your ideas around our plans for the 2016 Games," he said.

Kono also noted the successful staging of international sports events in Japan over recent years, notably in co-hosting the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He said a Tokyo Olympics would be a catalyst "for the world's greatest metropolitan makeover," before touching on the financial crisis and the venue plan which incorporates some of the 1964 Olympic facilities.

"In these tough economic times we want to ensure a responsible budget and complete financial stability," he said, adding that only five permanent venues would be built and all with sustainable business plans.

In his slot, NOC President Tsunekazu Takeda was quick to highlight the support of Prime Minister and Olympian Taro Aso. He also noted that 25 NOCs, including 17 from Europe, had chosen to base their pre-Games training camps in Japan before the Beijing Games.

Athletes Commission chair Mikako Kotani and Tokyo 2016 executive board member Shunichiro Okano also took part.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro bid chief Carlos Nuzman's passionate plea and emotive language made the Brazilian presentation the most persuasive of the four pitches Friday. Two videos were screened.

Carlos Nuzman's evocative speech made Rio de Janeiro the highlight of the day. (ATR/M. Bisson)Driving home the message that it was time for the Olympics to come to South America for the first time, he insisted Rio had all the right attributes - natural beauty, diversity and energy - to provide an incredible stage for the Games. "The venues will be full and the celebration will flow into the streets. The excitement will be contagious."

He said the Olympics would spur the continuing transformation of Rio and Brazil, while also opening up new markets to the Olympic Movement.

"We want a Rio Games to serve as a bridge from London 2012 to Rio 2016, from Europe to South America, passing the baton to pursue the mission of inspiring young people around the world."

State Governor Sérgio Cabral spoke of support for the bid at all levels of government, concluding: "It is the right time for Rio, for Brazil, and for South America. We are ready. We are committed. And I hope you will make the historic choice in Copenhagen. Yes we can."

Bid secretary Carlos Roberto Osório said the Olympic concept built on the work done for the 2007 Pan Am Games where investment totaled almost $2 billion. It means only a handful of new venues need to be constructed. Janeth Arcain, basketball Olympic medalist and world champion, added an athlete's view to the presentation.

Madrid

The Spanish bid presentation centered on the themes: certainty, reliability and vitality. Amid the economic gloom, it positioned the bid as "the safest choice for 2016."

In a largely lackluster presentation, IOC member Juan Antonio Samaranch emphasized that more than 70 percent of the venues are in place. He spoke of the 93 percent public support for the bid, noted that over 100 international events had been held in Madrid in the past decade and said the bid was financially secure with the project underwritten by government.

Madrid's bid team focused on the Spanish city as "the safest choice for 2016." (ATR/M. Bisson)Madrid's pitch, which incorporated three videos, also detailed the social, sporting and environmental legacies that would come from hosting an Olympics.

Alejandro Blanco, president of the Spanish NOC, highlighted the bid plan's principle of inclusiveness in staging the Games with a "human touch."

Bid CEO Mercedes Coghen brought the presentation to life by speaking about the power of the Olympics to change people's lives, recalling how her participation and gold medal in hockey at the 1992 Games had been a "lifechanging" moment. She said the Olympics would "share the country's vitality and cultural heritage with all the Olympic Family and spectators."

Madrid Mayor Alberto Ruiz Gallardon also contributed, confirming the city and government were committed to delivering a great Games: "We wait for you in Madrid with excitement."

With reporting from Mark Bisson in Istanbul.

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