UP Ibalon Bicol: Obama failed to win for Chicago the hosting of the 2016 Olympics

Obama failed to win for Chicago the hosting of the 2016 Olympics

10/03/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Riding lavishly in jumbo jets to make a bid for Chicago as the Olympic host, Pres. Barack Obama, his wife Michele, accompanied by entertainer TV host Oprah Winfrey and a coterie of friends failed to impress the Olympic organizers in Copenhagen, Demark. They lost their endorsement of the windy city to be the host of the 2016 Olympics.

At the first round of the voting, Chicago was immediately eliminated causing shock, disappointment, and humiliation to the Americans who thought the Obama magic would work on their favor. The defeat cast doubt on Obama’s presidency which had been known for its popularity, lofty rhetoric, and grandiose promises

It turned out the outcome of the Olympic voting was the greatest shock in the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) history. Chicago’s devastating put-down was quickly interpreted by observers as Obama’s political defeat at a time that his popularity had fallen precipitously since he was elected in November.

Republicans were critical of Obama’s priority of attending the Olympic bidding when more urgent issues at home demanded his attention. The healthcare revamp that he proposed had been met with increasing disapproval. Joblessness in USA continued to climb reaching 9.8% this week--- the highest in 26 years.

As the Iranians stepped up their intransigence on the nuclear arms issue, Obama along with the United Nations (UN) kept the weak position against the devious Islamic republic. Nuclear proliferation watchdogs had been stuck with ineffectual inspections and threats of economic sanctions.

Without a clear war policy, the US president was reported to slacken on Afghanistan and Iraq war strategy when the conditions of the front were deteriorating.

In the final voting for the Olympics, it was Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in a landslide victory, which bagged the hosting the 2016 summer games. Overwhelmed with the stunning news, Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva shed tears of joy. More than 50,000 of his countrymen in Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro cheered, danced, and celebrated. (Photo Credit: AP/ Silvia Izquierdo; JorgeBrazil) =0=

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Labels: Olympics 2016, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, sports, games Totie Mesia