I finally accepted it after recently viewing the flash video that appears when you visit NYC2012.COM. At the end of the sequence, the music stops and the image of NYC firefighters raising the American flag over the rubble of “ground-zero” appears beside the Olympic motto “swifter, higher, stronger” and the words “never has that been more true than it is today” as it pertains to NYC. It was just sort of stuck on there at the end sometime since September 11; I had viewed the sequence it its entirety prior to that. Some may call it opportunistic, some may say it’s patriotic – but it’s just one of the reasons why New York will get the USOC nod next November.
The USOC made a short-list of four cities last week – but could have limited that to one rather than string along 3 other runners-up-to-be for a year. And it’s not that excellent bids from Houston, San Francisco and Washington can’t win, but it’s all about New York City not being able to lose, at least within it’s national borders. Looking down the list of official and unofficial requirements, New York stands tall.
The USOC looks for cities to meet requirements in 13 categories. But the USOC can and will be sold in other areas. Foremost, they must be convinced that the chosen city will represent the U.S. well internationally. This is even more important considering that memories of U.S. Games in Atlanta and Salt Lake City will still be fresh – and this bid will have to convince IOC members that they have no choice but to go back to the U.S. Enter New York City.
New York is arguably the most famous city in the world. It’s the commercial center of the world and a hub of transportation, media and hundreds of millions of people who spend lots of money on sports and entertainement. The area hosts two Major League Baseball teams, two NFL football teams, 3 NHL hockey teams, 2 NBA basketball teams and countless other sport organizations. The IOC will see dollar signs, lots of them, and that’s before they sign any very lucrative sponsorship and broadcast agreements. Money talks, and it has a lot to say.
The USOC will look at possible competitors such as Toronto who many say would be an early favorite should they choose to compete. Toronto’s main publicity draw during the 2008 bid was multiculturalism, over a hundred cultures and languages proudly represented. That fared well against Beijing and Paris – but faces fierce competition against New York and the image of the Statue of Liberty.
What about security, is that a risk? Ask people around the world who are proudly wearing NYPD and FDNY hats and t-shirts, even before September 11. The most famous security forces in the world are even backed up by popular prime time TV shows such as Third Watch and NYPD Blue.
New York also boasts great backers, a well organized venue plan and a transportation solution – but those are all nitty-gritty details that can be worked out later. It’ll be hard for anyone to read past “New York” on the cover of the bid book without already being sold.
The IOC won’t select the 2012 host until 2005. While the sentimentality of today’s issues will likely have faded by then – the members will likely want to choose a city that offers a financial bonanza, especially following what could be the difficult games of Athens 2004. If New York is on the ballot, it will be hard to say no.
