olympics

Madrid shines in 2020 bid presentations

26 Comments
By STEPHEN WILSON

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26 Comments
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Given Spain's precarious financial situation and massive unemployment you'd think they might have better things to spend money on than a loss making one month party.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Spain needs this like a hole in the head. Although maybe some of the currently over 25% unemployed will get a chance to "work" at the Olympics

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I don't see how any of the remaining countries can afford it. Japan would be the only one with no protests if successful in their bid, thus, it is unfortunate that we will get this monstrosity of debt and propaganda that is the Olympics.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

It's Tokyo, not Japan, the one that would benefit from the Olympics. We would all pay with taxes tokyo's new make up and party, I do hope they don't get it.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

GO MADRID !!!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Yes, it's Tokyo, which is using the "Let's show how well we have all recovered from the earthquake and tsunami" vote plea. The fact that this didn't happen in Tokyo is not being mentioned by many.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Tokyo Governor Naoki Inose said. “No one will be stuck in a traffic jam when they should be competing, training or working.”

Which Tokyo is this guy living in? Dos he ever travel around the city? Is he telling me his limousine has never got stuck in the traffic? I live in the suburbs of Tokyo and even here, the traffic can be horrendous. The trains may run on time, but will the visitors be able to push their way onto the train, especially during the rush hours?

Istanbul’s presentation passed off with scant mention of the anti-government protests

Istanbul received no questions about the protests, and Madrid fielded no questions about the economy.

Yeah, and I bet Tokyo received no questions about how the government and TEPCO have been lying through their teeth, pretending that everything's ok.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Which Tokyo is this guy living in? Dos he ever travel around the city? Is he telling me his limousine has never got stuck in the traffic? I live in the suburbs of Tokyo and even here, the traffic can be horrendous. The trains may run on time, but will the visitors be able to push their way onto the train, especially during the rush hours?

@Pukey2 : If you think Tokyo traffic is terrible, you've never been to Sydney. Even though Tokyo has 10 times the population of Sydney, Sydney has 2-3 times the traffic. Trust me, the traffic in Tokyo is nothing.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Seems Tokyo will get Olympic. Madrid is a nice city but does not have sport arenas enough to hosat Olympic. Beside that, it will not generate ad income to IOC. Istanbul? Too dangerous to have athletes there. Do not have enough sport field and IOC will not have ad income. Tokyo is only one left. Have $$$ for this purpose (JOC). Beside that, Safe city comparing Madrid and Istanbul. There will not be gun carrying Japanese citizens. Huge ad incomes for IOC. Spain and Turkey will not generate revenues for IOC. Beside that, Tokyo will not have bomb threatening to any sport arenas. Safest of those three countries. Other two countries do not have comfortableaccomodations to athletes but Japan has. Then, their families can have sight seeing safely. Only Tokyo has to do is keep Inose:;s big mouth shut.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Toshiko, Tokyo had a gas terrorist attack and a random stabbing at a shopping district in recent memory. Tokyo is not safe despite Japanese propoganda citing safety. You seem to be confused.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Toshico: Do you know what are you talking about? Madrid has already 80% of the whole buildings and arenas built, which is the highest by far of all 3 candidates... Istanbul dangerous for athletes?? Why is that?? Cannot understand your affirmation....do you actually know if they have sport fields? How do you measure IOC incomes? Gun carrying citizens in Madrid or Istanbul??? Since when??? Bomb threats??? Why??? Comfortable accomodations for athletes in Japanand not the others??????????? Im still wondering what difference can be....maybe the toilets that shoot water in your anus???

Families that can sightsee safely????? I believe Spain and Turkey have many more tourist than Japan as of today and dont see them in danger...

I guess you are just one of those FEW japanese that believe Japan is the only great country to live in....which in fact is a great country to live in but Im sorry to tell you that most people just wont believe your biased comments...

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Toshiko spot on man. 1000% safer for athletes and tourists without a doubt.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Simply for suggesting it would 'aid in or prove the recovery after the 2011 quake/tsunami' Tokyo does not deserve the Olympics at all. There are other factors, as well, as to why, but it's disgusting the lengths some nations will go to to suggest they are entitled to and deserve something because they are victims. It is not in the Olympic spirit at all.

That said, I'm glad Madrid put for a good show and the race on the whole might be a little tighter as a result. I don't think they'll get it, but increased votes for Madrid because of this means less for either or both of the other cities, so it could still be anyone's game(s).

Despite the protests of last month, I would like to see Istanbul get it. It would be a first, unlike the other nations/cities. I DO want to see it in Japan in the future, but not Tokyo. Give it to Fukuoka or another city.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Tokyo had a gas terrorist attack and a random stabbing at a shopping district in recent memory. Tokyo is not safe despite Japanese propoganda citing safety. You seem to be confused.

You seem to be confused between anecdotes and statistics.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Yes, it's Tokyo, which is using the "Let's show how well we have all recovered from the earthquake and tsunami" vote plea. The fact that this didn't happen in Tokyo is not being mentioned by many.

It was my understanding the earthquake appeal point had pretty much been dropped this time around, and obviously Olympic officials are well aware it didn't 'happen' in Tokyo.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

You seem to be confused between anecdotes and statistics.

you seem to be confused if you believe the Japanese safety hype. Safe is bandied by the Japanese despite statistics to the contrary.

Nowhere is safe. They need to get a new mantra.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

I would be very surprised if Tokyo doesn't win this bid. Spain is bankrupt and Istanbul is unstable. Japan will win because the other 2 countries are not up to hosting this event.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

If they've got that much money just sitting in a bank, perhaps they could donate it to directly to the victims of Fukushima??

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Although Madrid is a great city, I doubt they will win the bid. Their current economic situation is quite bad, with unemployment rates hitting 27% and having economic decline for six straight quarters. Then again, Japan's financial situation isn't that great either. Istanbul is a nice city as well, but the situation is quite unstable there. This is going to be interesting!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Saxon Salute:

I would be very surprised if Tokyo doesn't win this bid. Spain is bankrupt and Istanbul is unstable. Japan will win because the other 2 countries are not up to hosting this event.

Yeah, I'd be surprised too. However, it'll be the Japanese who'll be bankrupt after they've had the Olympics. The Spanish will soon realize how lucky they were.

dcog9065:

If you think Tokyo traffic is terrible, you've never been to Sydney. Even though Tokyo has 10 times the population of Sydney, Sydney has 2-3 times the traffic. Trust me, the traffic in Tokyo is nothing.

When the bid is between Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo, the traffic jam in Sydney is just about as relevant as the rail network on Mars.

Using your logic, perhaps Japan can say that Chernobyl was worse than Fukushima.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Pukey2

I think what dcog9065 was getting at is that if you're to compare the traffic situation to other major cities around the world, then Tokyo handles it relatively well.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

With the present economic situation and high unemployment Spain should remember what happened last week in Brazil before making statements like this "Madrid stressed that it has 80 percent of the venues ready and would need only $1.9 billion for Olympic construction." $1.9 billion dollars,but it always seems to work out a lot more, London found that out, I wonder how that $1.9 billion dollars will go down with the Spanish population.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

3 cities: Does Tokyo have daily bombings such as Istanbul? Or citizens carry pistols everywhere? Now, Tokyo Olympic funds not available?'' Olympic Arenas. Are there Baseball fields Olympic can use in Madrid or Istanbul? How about Universities sport fields? Are there as many Univ in these two countries to be used in these two cities. Will Madrid and Istanbul have ad income from their countries' corporations? Tokyo will have Honda, Toyota, etc beside Bridgestone and Yokohama Tires. Then Sony, Toashiba, you name them, Are there such industries to spend ad in Spain and Turk?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

>There will not be gun carrying Japanese citizens.

Yes, Japanese citizens carry knives and blades to attack primary school children. A popular pastime for stressed out Tokyoites.

>Tokyo will not have bomb threatening to any sport arenas.

They are more experienced with Sarin gas.

>Other two countries do not have comfortable accomodations [sic] to athletes but Japan has. Then, their families can have sight seeing safely.

They don't have capsule hotels there. Also compared with Madrid and Istanbul, Tokyo has a multitude of sightseeing spots like Tokyo Sky Tree and ... did I already say Tokyo Sky Tree?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Madrid does not shine for 2020 Ol,ympic, The Olympic will bankrupt Spain.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Toshiko.... Lets answer in order...

Istanbul protest are because the government was turning its politics and laws into very strict islamic. Menaning that people could loose freedom and some of the basic human rights. Talking about human rights: Do you know that Japan is one of the top world countries that dont respect basic Human Rights? just as a curiosity, do you know that slavery is still legal in Japan?

Anyway....Turkish people are highly educated and charming people, they are just protesting for their right to be a modern country. Anyhow, we are talking about 2020 Olympics....do you think the protest will last for 7 years?

Another proof that you really dont know what are you talking about....Do you know that baseball is not an Olympic sport since 2008?????? So I guess Baseball Arenas are not needed anymore, right?

Universities??? What for??? Olympics are played in proffesional top of the line venues...not university campus!! But as you wanted to talk about universities, I did a quick research and guess what?....

Tokyo Metropolis: 35.000.000 people/ 190.000 univ students Madrid: 6.000.000 people/ 175.000 univ students

Oh my god!! Maybe there is not much difference in number of universities!!!!!! Anyway, not related to Olympics so lets move on....

Local Ad Income???? Again, you prove that you cannot see further than Japans shore....why do you need local??? This is a global event and, as such, global companies will sponsor it no matter where its held :)

About your Spain bankrupcy comment....well....as said before, Madrid has ALREADY 80% of ALL the arenas, buildings, transport, etc....which means that it is one of the few cities worldwide that can actually make a profit out of the Olympic Games...

Anything else?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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