The Chicago Tribune reports that two key decisions Saturday on which city will represent the United States in its bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games will be a mystery because the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) intends to keep the media and public out of the loop.
According to the newspaper the USOC won’t allow media to watch the final presentations to the board by Chicago and Los Angeles and the announcement of the winner will not include the vote tally.
But USOC Chairman Peter Ueberroth said Tuesday, “the process has been absolutely fair and transparent. There have been similarities and deviations from the IOC pattern. It is easier to ask tough questions in a small environment without (media present). Some people may not be as forthright otherwise”.
Los Angeles 2016 bid chairman Barry Sanders reportedly backed the decision not to release the vote, saying Monday it would be “wise to present unanimous support for whichever city is selected”.
But Ueberroth said, “I don’t think anybody would honestly be able to say that somebody had unanimous support (in the vote). But whichever city is selected there will be unanimous support going forward”.
NBC reports that following the presentations and questions period, when the USOC is ready to announce its decision, officials from both bids will be escorted to the boardroom for the announcement.
Patrick Ryan, chairman of Chicago 2016 said, “we think we should win, but odds are 50/50”.
Chicago will bring a revised audio-visual presentation and what they call an “immense” model to Washington where the presentations will take place, that they say will showcase one of their prime selling points – the compact nature of the Chicago Games.
Ryan said, “I think that Chicago, being a city of celebration and celebrating sport, there will never be an Olympics with so many people involved”.
