Explaining the vote: It was South America's time. (ABC)

[jefferson_dem]

Explaining the Vote
October 02, 2009 4:49 PM

ABC NEWS' Yunji de Nies Reports:

What went wrong? How did Chicago, with seemingly so much momentum - thanks to the President, First Lady, and of course, the woman who is her own brand - Oprah - ultimately earn just 18 votes?

Some International Olympic Committee members say they too were surprised at the ultimate lack of enthusiam for the Windy City, but that the decision it came down to sharing the games with a whole new part of the world.

"The problem was not that Chicago did something wrong, I think the problem was that there were four great cities," said Claudia Bokel, an IOC member from Germany told ABC News, "I do think the first time in South America seemed to be quite charming to a lot of people."

Rio will be the first city on the continent to host the games, a point Brazil's President Lula Da Silva heavily emphasized in his final presentation.

"For the others, it will be just one more Games," he said, "For South America, it will be a magical moment."

He later continued, "And it will also be a chance to send a powerful message to the whole world: the Olympic Games belong to all peoples, to all continents to all mankind."

IOC members say this was not a vote against President Obama, but one for that kind of expansion. In fact, many praised Chicago's effort, particularly the First Lady's personal pitch, which focused on her father's struggle with multiple sclerosis and his passion for sports in wider the context of the Paralymic Games.

"Michelle Obama was very, very, very tough. She’s the woman of the day," said French IOC member Guy Drut.

<SNIP>

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/10/explaining-the-vote.html

[nolabear]

1. Besides, Rio can throw one heck of a party!

I think Rio won because Rio won. It was a good decision. Imagine the difference between the opening celebrations. On the one hand, some really great blues, a fabulous hot dog, America America America, wind off the lake, yaddayadda. On the other, naked bodypainted women on stilts, the splendor of the South American jungle, indigenous culture that knocks your socks off, heat, beaches, I mean, where would YOU be more likely to go to attend?

[Arctic Dave]

3. You had me at, "naked bodypainted women on stilts".

Tell me more, I'm all ears. :P

[ind_thinker2]

2. Brazil made some ico members vote for tokyo

I think brazil orchestrated this killer game.

They made few of members of there IOC block to vote for tokyo.

they had guaranteed 40-45 votes but all tokyo(expected to eliminate first) block would have voted for chicago.

And madrid would have split into rio and chicago.

I think first round was as this:

Rio 36
Madrid 28
Chicago 18
Tokyo 12

second round was

Rio 36
Chicago 31
Madrid 28

Third round would have been competitive ...

Chicago 50
Rio 48

[Lyric]

4. Oh well. At least Rio's an improvement over Beijing.

At least this time it's a Democratic nation and not a paranoid authoritarian one.

[Honeycombe8]

7. Tall and tan and young and lovely, the girl from Ipanema goes walking....

Blame it on Rio!

There's always been a fascination in the world for this place called Rio. I hear there's lots of crime there, but I guess they can stop that with enough police.

[boobooday]

5. South America's turn

I think that's good.

[Honeycombe8]

6. Let's see...if I could vacation in Rio or Chicago, which would I choose? Hmmmm.

That's REALLY a hard one. (not)

I heard part of Michele's speech, as it was lauded on TV. I didn't think it was persuasive at all, though. The Olympics should be in Chicago because she sat on her dad's lap and watched the Olympics once on TV while she was in Chicago, and dreamed that she, too, could achieve her dreams? That is an inspiring story....about HER. But it says nothing special about Chicago that wouldn't also apply to every other city in the world.

[Cha]

9. I'm glad the writer who praised Michelle doesn't

agree with you.

[Honeycombe8]

11. You should take a writing course yourself. Who, what, when, where.

These are the bits of information needed in order for people to, like, UNDERSTAND YOUR POST.

[Cha]

12. Sorry, you don't

understand.

[Cha]

8. I kinda got it was South America's time when

I read on DU yesterday that the Olympics had never been held there.

I'm sorry for the future jobs that won't be bc of the Games not going to Chicago but now I can be happy for Rio.

Of course, this wasn't against PO, Chicago, the USA or anyone in their group who went to Copenhagen...and we have learned that Michelle Obama gave it her all and is tough to the 3rd Very!

[underpants]

10. I got that feeling when I heard that Rio was mentioned (don't forget TV)

It was time to have an Olympics in South America which is basically ignored on the world stage (other than Chavez)

don't forget this too-Rio is an hour AHEAD of Eastern time zone. No more *spoiler* alerts and "this happened in the dead of night yesterday" TV coverage. Don't think that wasn't a huge part of the IOC's decision.