USOC faces backlash after shock of failed bid

Whether the U.S. Olympic Committee deserves all, some or only a little of the blame for Chicago's embarrassing first-round ouster from the voting for the 2016 Olympics, the federation's home office in Colorado Springs will not be a happy place the next few months.

The International Olympic Committee sent a message to the USOC with Friday's humiliation, one that Swiss IOC member Denis Oswald called "a defeat for the USOC, not for Chicago."

Some of the biggest issues that have been hurting the USOC's efforts for years, both on Olympic and geopolitical levels: the Salt Lake City bid scandal and the over-commercialized Atlanta Games, the Iraq war and America's role in the tanking global economy. Via.

*Previously: Chicago 2016 bid officially submitted

Michelle Obama speaks about youth and the importance of the Olympics.

(First Lady Michelle Obama during a break in her one-on-one meetings with International Olympic
Committee members in Copenhagen, Denmark, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009
Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

We need all of our children to be exposed to the Olympic ideals that athletes from around the world represent, particularly this time in our nation’s history, where athletics is becoming more of a fleeting opportunity. Funds dry up so it becomes harder for kids to engage in sports, to learn how to swim, to even ride a bike. When we’re seeing rates of childhood obesity increase, it is so important for us to raise up the platform of fitness and competition and fair play; to teach kids to cheer on the victors and empathize with those in defeat, but most importantly, to recognize that all the hard work that is required to do something special.


*Previously: Obama is going to Copenhagen

Obama is going to Copenhagen

Obama is going to Copenhagen after all, joining first lady Michelle Obama to support Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics.

Obama plans to leave Washington on Thursday, senior adviser Valerie Jarrett told The Associated Press on Monday, getting to Denmark in time to be part of his adopted hometown's final presentation to the International Olympic Committee.

"His physical presence just magnifies all of what he's been saying," Chicago 2016 chairman Pat Ryan said, a big smile on his face. "It just puts a huge exclamation point on the support of the bid and the support of the Olympic movement and the respect for the movement and the respect for the IOC members themselves." Via.

*Previously: President Obama Announces New White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport

Video: Chicago 2016 - I WILL

Olympic Network to debut in 2010

The Hollywood Reporter ran a story recently with the title Olympic Network to debut in 2010 and subtitle, "Will air live events, archival footage and lifestyle shows."

I'm all in!! I am so excited about this and I hope that this is a regularly available channel and not a premium one that is only on expensive plans.

The NY Times later ran a story with the title Olympics Channel Draws a Rebuke From the I.O.C. and they went on to say that "Richard Carrión, an I.O.C. executive board member from Puerto Rico, said the U.S.O.C. had been told that it was proceeding hastily into the venture and that it should not assume it would get the rights it wanted."

I have also read somewhere that this may jeopardize Chicago's 2016 Summer Olympics bid. I really hope this is not the case. This would only benefit the Olympic Movement and bring positive attention to sports as a whole. I hope any issues get sorted out and things proceed without affecting Chicago's chances when the votes are cast this fall.

Both articles (which are linked above) are worth a read if you have a sec.

UPDATE: USOC postpones TV network plans (8/16/09)

President Obama Announces New White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced the formation of the White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport.

This permanent White House office will promote the values of the Olympic Movement and encourage increased youth participation in athletics. The primary function of the Office will be to enhance awareness of the Olympic Movement through promotion of its fundamental principles at the federal level.

President Obama said, "It is an important goal of my administration to give our nation’s children every possible tool they need to grow, learn and succeed in life. A key part of this is increasing access to healthy, constructive activities like sports for our nation’s children. Too many American kids – particularly those in urban areas – have no access to organized sporting activities. Sports are an important way to instill values, judgment and teamwork in our nation’s kids, and this new office reflects our commitment to giving all our children a chance to thrive. As the International Olympic Committee moves forward with their selection process we hope that this new office can serve as a model for youth involvement worldwide."

The White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport will:

• Recommend federal policies and programs to the President to enhance opportunities and access for youth participation in sport, with particular focus on youth in urban areas
• Foster and encourage youth sporting, educational and cultural events involving Olympic values-based programs and the participation of U.S. Olympians and Paralympians

The Office will also work in coordination with appropriate executive departments and agencies, including the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, to:

• Engage in outreach to state and local government officials, nonprofit organizations and the private sector
• Coordinate federal resources, and act as liaison to, any organizing committee for an Olympic and Paralympic Games hosted in the United States
• And work closely with the United States Olympic Committee and national sport governing bodies to increase access and opportunities for youth to participate in sports.

Video: President Barack Obama Lobbies IOC for Chicago 2016

Chicago 2016 updates slogan

"Let Friendship Shine”

From the Official Press Release:

Chicago 2016 reaffirmed its commitment to welcome the world to Chicago in friendship in 2016 with the announcement of a new tagline that furthers its vision for the Games. The new tagline, “Let Friendship Shine” is the sentiment that the bid committee looks to reach out to the world with as it prepares its bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is in the spirit of friendship that Chicago 2016 will welcome the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Evaluation Commission to Chicago in April. You can read more HERE.

Final Bid Books for the 2016 Summer Olympics Submitted

The final Bid Books for the 2016 Summer Games were submitted today. From what I have seen it seems like they've all submitted pretty nice plans. Madrid seems the least likely to win the bid considering the games in 2012 are right next door in London. Rio would be a nice pick because the games have never been held in South America. The Tokyo bid is very attractive and would be my second personal choice after Chicago. The winner will be announced on October 2nd this year.

Obama win boosts Chicago’s 2016 Olympic bid

Via Yahoo! Sports

Barack Obama’s election as president could prove crucial in another campaign—the race for the 2016 Olympics.

Obama’s victory provides a boost to the bid from Chicago—his hometown—to bring the Summer Games back to the United States for the first time since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

“It’s very important,” Chicago bid leader Patrick Ryan told The Associated Press on Wednesday. “He’s a man who the world is looking to for leadership and I think he’s very popular not only in the U.S. but around the world.

“We share his feeling that the Olympics are an opportunity for the U.S. to reach out to the rest of the world, for building bridges of friendship. It’s certainly something he’s very committed to.”

Chicago is competing against Tokyo; Madrid, Spain; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The host will be chosen by the International Olympic Committee in Denmark on Oct. 2, 2009.

Click here to continue reading.

Chicago 2016's Applicant File

chicago_2016_applicant_file - Upload a Document to Scribd

Chicago 2016 updates logo

Chicago 2016 has updated their logo to reflect their new status as an official candidate for the 2016 games. Looks nice to me! :D

Obama makes surprise appearance at a Chicago rally promoting 2016 bid

Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., left, and others, applaud presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., during an unscheduled stop at the Chicago 2016 Olympic Rally, Friday, in Chicago.

You can watch part of the speech HERE.

From the Associated Press:
CHICAGO - Barack Obama says if Chicago is chosen to host the 2016 Olympics, he's hoping there will be a hometown president to kick off the games.

"In 2016, I'll be wrapping up my second term as president," Obama said. "So I can't think of a better way than to be marching into Washington Park ... as president of the United States and announcing to the world, 'Let the games begin!'"

The Illinois senator, spending a weekend at home after clinching the Democratic presidential nomination, made a surprise appearance at a downtown rally Friday to promote the city's bid. He drew loud cheers from the crowd and gawkers pressed up to windows from the high rise office buildings surrounding the rally.

Four cities chosen as 2016 Games candidates

My take: I would love to see either Tokyo or Chicago win! Madrid doesn't have a chance. Rio de Janeiro actually has a pretty good shot at it considering the support behind the bid and the fact that the games have never been held in South America.

From an IOC Press Release:
The International Olympic Committee announced today that Chicago (USA), Tokyo (Japan), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), and Madrid (Spain) have made it on to the shortlist of cities bidding to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Candidate Cities were accepted unanimously from seven Applicant Cities, which also included Prague (Czech Republic), Baku (Azerbaijan) and Doha (Qatar).

“All the bids were of a very high standard,” said IOC President Jacques Rogge. “It is a tribute to the health of the Olympic Movement that the field was so strong. I congratulate the Candidate Cities and I hope that those cities which were unsuccessful this time have benefited from the process.”

Chicago sets sights on next cut for 2016 Olympics

On the eve of the IOC announcement of the shortlist of bidding cities for the 2016 Summer Games a number of articles have hit the web boasting of Chicago's prospects.

ESPN says, "Chicago officials confident city will make next cut in bid for 2016 Olympics."

GamesBids has an update with the following results, "BidIndex shows Chicago (60.73, up 0.17) narrowly ahead of Tokyo (60.66, up 0.25) to lead the applicants; former front runner Rio de Janeiro (59.90, down 0.92) has dropped to third and Madrid (59.50, up 1.25) stays in fourth while narrowing the gap and boasting the largest increase." I would love to see either Tokyo or Chicago win so this is good news for me.

Above I have embedded a Venue Flyover video from the Chicago Bidding Committee.

From ESPN & GamesBids

Chicago 2016 Opens Online Store

From GamesBids.com:
Chicago 2016 opened its online store Tuesday selling the official merchandise of Chicago 2016’s Summer Olympic bid.

Patrick G. Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016 said, “this marks an exciting day for the city of Chicago and Chicago 2016. In an Olympic year people will be able to shows their support for our bid by wearing Chicago 2016 apparel”.

Among the store’s merchandise are T-shirts, coats, vests and hats available in various colours and sizes. Also athletes and fans of the bid will be able to support the bid while exercising along the lakefront in their Chicago 2016 Dri-Fit shirts, said a Chicago 2016 media release.

It’s also the first time Chicago 2016 apparel featuring the Chicago Star logo is available to the public. The six points on the star represent hope, respect, harmony, friendship, excellence and celebration.

Access to the online store is available on the official Chicago 2016 website at www.chicago2016.org.

My feelings on the London 2012 logo...

In lieu of writing a long post about my feelings on the London 2012 logo debacle I found an article that articulates my feelings even better than I could put into words. The post comes from a blog called Logic + Emotion:

Before you read on—please take a look at the two visuals above for at least 15 seconds.

Done?

OK, what do you think?

Here's what I think. I think we are looking at two examples of Graphic Design. One example is successful. The other is not as successful. Graphic Design falls under the broader category of Visual Communications. In order for Visual Communications to be successful, it must nail two things:

1. It must be visual
2. It must communicate

This is what the London 2012 site says about their visual identity (shown above)

"The new emblem is dynamic, modern and flexible. It will work with new technology and across traditional and new media networks."

This is what the design firm behind Chicago's 2016 effort put forth:

"The Chicago 2016 logo blends the colors of the five Olympic rings within torch-shaped vista of the city, from serene blue lake to vibrant green landscape to fiery skyline. It also evokes Chicago’s Games concept, to host compact Olympic Games celebrated in the center of the city, along the lakefront and in the city’s parks."

Is this really just a matter of taste? One could argue that London's logo is appealing to some. Maybe a younger demographic? Maybe older—I don't know, you tell me. But let's take a look at these examples from another perspective:

Which one solves a problem? In my opinion the Chicago identity tells us two things immediately:

1. Olympics
2. Chicago

And yes—from a personal preference I think it's visually appealing and does capture the vibrancy of Chicago's lakefront through the color. What's my point in all of this? My point is that I have a gut feeling something went horribly wrong during London's design process. Maybe someone thought the identity really did look "dynamic, modern, and flexible".

The London identity is supposed to read "2012". I didn't see it. Did you? What could have helped the London 2012 committee avoid this? The committee could have realized they had a problem to solve. The problem was how to successfully communicate London's enthusiasm and passion for the Olympic spirit. Maybe they were solving for the wrong problem—or worse yet just following an exercise in style.

The identity fails because it doesn't successfully communicate London, or the Olympic spirit. It doesn't tell a story. Instead it focuses on translating "dynamic, modern, and flexible". Seth says it best:

"Actually, it's just a jaggy picture"

Chicago 2016 bid officially submitted

Associated Press
September 4, 2007
CHICAGO -- Now that Chicago officially is the U.S. bid city for the 2016 Summer Olympics, it must convince the International Olympic Committee it deserves to stage the games. Organizers were hopeful Tuesday they could triumph over cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Madrid.

The U.S. Olympic Committee formally submitted Chicago as its bid in a letter last week to IOC president Jacques Rogge in advance of a Sept. 13 deadline. It was a formality because the USOC has worked with Chicago on its bid since choosing the city over Los Angeles in April.

"We look forward to working with the International Olympic Committee in convincing them why we believe Chicago is the best host city," Mayor Richard Daley said while acknowledging "tough competition" from some of the "greatest cities in the world."

Below is the the content for a post I made when Chicago beat out Los Angeles for the official US bid back in April of this year... (original post)


From ESPN:

The Windy City beat out Los Angeles on Saturday as the U.S. candidate for the 2016 Summer Games. Chicago's likely competition will include Madrid, Prague, Rome, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo. The IOC will decide in October 2009.

I have to say in complete honestly as a Southern California resident and a fan of the Olympic games that I'm disappointed that Los Angeles didn't win the opportunity to compete for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. But in all fairness it looks like Chicago put together a more compelling bid. It seems as though Los Angeles was resting on their laurels and didn't put their best foot forward. For a basic example compare the logos the cities created. Chicago's is nice and eloquent and seems recognizable as an Olympic logo while LA's was plain and drab and seemed to have no connection with the Olympics. Even New York's failed bid for the 2012 Olympics put together a more compelling logo...


Good luck to the city of Chicago... really... you'll need it... you're up against some pretty stiff competition. It would be nice to see the summer games in the USA again, so bring this one home for us all.

www.usoc.org