This Wednesday June 4 at SportAccord in Athens, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will release their Candidature Acceptance Report that represents a technical evaluation of the 2016 bids based on their questionnaire responses and other data acquired by the IOC. In the past, the IOC has set a benchmark score and they have short-listed each bid that surpasses this score, however they are not committed to this model. Additional bids may also be included at the discretion of the evaluation commission. There is no specific number of bids to be included on the list but expect three to five to make it through to the final election for this bid.
At 18:30 local time, IOC President Jacques Rogge will announce the list of short-listed bids, and these bids will continue their campaigns and provide the IOC with full candidature files, or bid books, in January 2009. A final evaluation report will be published based on city visits and other information submitted and the evaluation commission will choose which bids to put on the final ballot when the final vote takes place October 2, 2009 at the Olympic Congress in Copenhagen.
This is how GamesBids.com rates the chances of each bid. The bids are color coded and ranked in confidence order.
GREEN = WILL BE ACCEPTED
AMBER = MAY OR MAY NOT BE SELECTED
RED = WILL NOT BE SELECTED
Madrid (Green)
Experience gained from their 2012 bid will be an important advantage for the Madrid bid team. The IOC already measured Madrid’s offering as one of the best technical bids last time around, and they came very close to defeating the frontrunners in the early voting rounds. This time Madrid is even stronger and they will be well accepted as a candidate city.
Tokyo (Green)
Tokyo has presented a strong bid concept and has promised a Games in the city centre – a compelling proposal for the IOC. The well-organized team has excellent support and the bid will likely qualify to move on as a candidate city.
Chicago (Green)
The United States Olympic Committee is a vital partner to the IOC and Chicago’s bid will be well received on those merits. With a fundamentally strong offering, experienced team and strong support, Chicago will be included on the short list.
Rio de Janeiro (Amber)
Rio de Janeiro last bid for the 2012 Games but were not accepted as a candidate city by the IOC as the city lacked technical fundamentals. But the bid team is more experienced this time around and Rio has successfully hosted the 2007 Pan Am Games and is preparing for the 2014 World Cup.
IOC President Jacques Rogge is pushing to host the Games in new frontiers and Rio represents an opportunity for South America to host the Games for the first time. If the IOC selects a short list of more than three cities, Rio might get that chance.
Doha (Amber)
Doha will be hoping that the IOC maintains their traditional five city short-list. If so, the bid from Qatar will likely be included on the list.
Doha hopes to be the first Arab nation to host the Games and the city has the funding and experience from the Asian Games and other international sports events. However hurdles exist including a difficult climate, planned Games dates outside of the traditional window, and insufficient accommodation.
Prague (Red)
Since the launch of their bid, Prague’s efforts have fizzled and the team has lost funding and public support. This city will not move beyond this point of the bid process.
Baku (Red)
Baku has a great story to tell, but the bid lacks experience and infrastructure and needs more time to develop its Olympic concept. Baku will not be included on the sho
