2016 Summer Olympics

Main article: Chicago 2016 Olympic bid

On April 14, 2007, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) chose Chicago to run in the 2016 Olympic bidding. Chicago was expected to host the 1904 Summer Olympics but those Olympic Games ultimately took place in St. Louis, to coincide with the World's Fair.^[4]

Chicago has an extensive public transit system, a wide range of venues, and a strong sports culture.^[5] The planned dramatic setting for Olympics on the shores of Lake Michigan, as well as the entirely urban experience will be big pluses.^[6] Chicago is one of few cities in the United States to host professional men and women's hockey, baseball, basketball, soccer, and American football teams. Another possible benefit is the city's central location in the United States, since the Central Time Zone is well-suited to the North American television coverage for television networks and cable broadcasting. Plans include a temporary Olympic Stadium in Washington Park on the city's South Side.^[7]

In May 2007, Chicago's bid committee was informed that its logo, a representation of a torch with the flames reminiscent of Chicago's skyline, violated IOC rules prohibiting the use of Olympic symbols.^[8] The current redesigned logo was released on 19 September 2007.

Chicago may have hurdles in overcoming animosity to US policies in Iraq and President George W. Bush (although he will no longer be in office at the time). Some IOC members also resent the large share of revenue taken by the United States.^[9]

Main article: Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic bid

On September 1, 2006, the Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOC) named Rio de Janeiro as Brazil's applicant for the 2016 Games. The city previously launched applications to host the 2004 and 2012 Olympics, but was not chosen for the shortlist in both applications.

Its natural beauty, as well as the time zone convenient to North American broadcasting (see Chicago, above) are two positive factors. It has been noted, however, that many of the key facilities are far from the iconic Ipanema beach area.^[10] Recently, Rio hosted the XV Pan American Games, an event considered to be "the key proving ground for an Olympic bid", because a logistical success organizing the event could improve the city's bidding campaign for the 2016 Olympic Games. These Games were named by the Pan American Sports Organisation (PASO) president, Mario Vázquez Raña, as the "best Pan American Games in history".^[11] However, there has been public concern regarding security issues in Rio de Janeiro. Transportation was also difficult during the Pan Am Games.^[12]

The IOC is eager to have either South America or Africa hosting the Games, as these are locations that have never held them, and Rio de Janeiro's government is already committed in improving the situation, as well as other South American and African cities.^[13]On July 30 2007, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, BOC president and chairman of the XV Pan American Games Organizing Committee, confirmed that he is personally working on required documents and is making sure all processes for the candidature acceptance will be read in time, resulting in an official bid.^[14]

On July 31, 2007, Brazil submitted its bid for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and as of yet, is the only bidder. Brazil seems hopeful of a "double hosting" of both the Olympics and World Cup, much like Germany (1972 and 1974), Mexico (1968 and 1970) and the United States (1994 and 1996). However, "double-hosting" may negatively affect Rio's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. According to Agence France-Presse, an IOC member stated that Rio is unlikely to be awarded the Olympics because, "IOC members don't like feeling they are the pudding, i.e. coming after another major sporting occasion". The World Cup will be awarded on October 30, 2007.^[15][16]

Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, has announced that it plans to bid for the Olympics.^[17] Initial studies suggest that the cost of hosting the 2016 Summer Olympic Games may be $20 billion. Chingiz Huseynzade, chairman of Azerbaijan's National Olympic Committee, told in a July 2007 press conference that a group of economists is working on this issue.^[18]

While Baku should have plenty of money to fund the games, the city's infrastructure has fallen apart since the breakup of the Soviet Union. Also, its long border with Iran may cause a security risk. Finally, Azerbaijan has a short Olympic history, sending teams since only 1996 and listing only three gold medalists so far.^[19]

Doha is preparing a bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics.^[20] Doha was the host of the 2006 Asian Games, spending US$2.8 billion with infrastructure and venues, and may spend more on the Olympic Games.^[21] The Doha 2016 bid has also won support from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) president.^[22]

Objections may be raised to Qatar's bid because of its practice of giving "passports of convenience" to foreign athletes,^[23] and an incident at the 2006 Asian Games in which Mushir Salim Jawher, a Kenyan-Bahraini runner, was stripped of his medal by Bahrain for having competed in a marathon in Israel.^[24] Qatar does not allow entry to people whose passports indicate they have visited Israel.^[25] Because of the average temperature in July and August, Doha can easily reach 40° C (104°F), thus it would be ideal for the Games to take place in May or September, as was the case when Seoul hosted in 1988, and Sydney in 2000.

The expansion of Aspire Zone, or as some call it Doha Sport City, will be a must to accommodate the spectators coming along with new sports and more athletes. With even more oil money than Baku, the IOC may reward Doha for being the first city from the Middle East to bid by promoting it to the final shortlist. However, the small size of Doha and Qatar in general (340,000 and 940,000 inhabitants, respectively) are problems for the Games (although spectators from neighbouring countries might help Doha's bid), but the Qataris may be innovative in bringing in spectators or even a dome to protect against heat. Like Azerbaijan, Qatar also has a short Olympic history.^[26]

Main article: Tokyo 2016 Olympic bid

The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) set a deadline of June 30, 2006, for cities to submit bids. It decided on August 30, 2006, that Tokyo would be the country's candidate for 2016.^[27] The bid will likely be strengthened by the success of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which Japan co-hosted with South Korea. Japan also has past Olympic experience as the host of the 1964 Games in Tokyo, the 1972 Winter Games in Sapporo, and the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano.

Tokyo is touting "the most compact and efficient Olympic Games ever" with a dramatic setting on the shore. The Japanese will also need to build only two venues, refurbishing many venues from its 1964 Summer Olympic Games. But a "been there, done that" attitude may pervade as the Beijing Games will have been held nearby eight years before, as well as Tokyo's previous hosting.^[28]

Main article: Madrid 2016 Olympic bid

The same day London was chosen for organizing the 2012 Summer Olympics, the mayor of Madrid spoke of an interest to make a bid for the 2016 games. A year later, on July 6, 2006, the city council unanimously voted for the submission of a new bid. In May 2007, mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón was received by the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE, Spanish: Comité Olímpico Español) where he filed as the only Spanish candidate for the Games. The Spanish Field Hockey Federation vice-chairwoman Mercedes Coghen was chosen as chairwoman of the project. Former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch offered his help in this new attempt.

On May 30, 2007, COE officially approved Madrid as Spain's candidate for the 2016 Games.^[29]

On March 22, 2007, Prague confirmed its bid when the Prague Assembly voted 53-10-3 in support of launching an official bid. Although the bid enjoys great support from state and civic authorities such as current mayor Pavel Bem, Prague's bid is considered to be a long-shot given several factors, such as Prague's lack of stadia and other important Olympic sports infrastructure, and seeing as how London is already hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics, the IOC is unlikely to award back-to-back Summer Olympic Games to the same continent.^[30]