Chicago's 2016 Olympic Bid Improved By Obama Win, Tokyo Insists Frontrunner Status

Reuters:

TOKYO, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Tokyo's bid officials insist they still have the edge in the race to host the 2016 Olympics despite Barack Obama's victory in the U.S. presidential election.

Obama's success has given his home city of Chicago a boost and Japanese media are already speculating that Tokyo's chances could be damaged as a result.

"I've seen the headlines but we have to remember we had the best technical evaluation from the IOC in June," Tokyo's 2016 bid communications manager Masanori Takaya told Reuters on Thursday.

"Every bid city has its own strengths and weaknesses -- Tokyo's is its technical plan. We are focusing all our efforts on further refining our bid."

Read the whole story: Reuters

Comments

[georgebeckton]

A hand-wringing dilemma, I'm a Londoner and apprehensive about the costs of 2012. Still hypothetically, it would be fabulous for Chicago to win and a great fillip for President Obama's second term...you'll certainly have plenty of world visitors!

[georgebeckton]

Oh...and CHEER UP!

[47th]

This is bad news. There are a lot of people struggling to keep their heads above water in Chicago right now. It is obscene to think about spending money on the Olympics.

[Bitsko]

I hope this doesn't happen. These Olympics practically bankrupt a city.

[BVictor1]

Obama is certainly a big boost to the city. Also, the way the city handeled the rally the other evening when Obama won the presidency, shows we are capable.