respublica

Chicago eliminated on first ballot

The Olympic Committee took it's first vote this morning and dropped Chicago from contention.

Tokyo, Rio and Madrid remain in the running to host the 2016 Olympics.

I'm shocked that Chicago went out so fast.

95 members of the committee voted.  Those who did not vote included 1 NFL hockey player who is in preseason training and a rep from Guinea who could not make the trip to Copenhagen.  Plus, 7 members from countries submitting bids were not allowed to vote, and the Olympic committe chairman does not vote.

Now that Chicago has been eliminated, U.S. Olympic committee reps will be eligible to vote on the next ballot (s).

Updated:

Tokyo is the second city eliminated which leaves Madrid and Rio. 

And the winner is:  Rio

Obamalympics

Chicago has a huge pep rally planned today at Daley Plaza with stage, huge Jumbotron screen, probably music and cheerleaders.  All these expected 1000's coming to hear the live announcement about who will host the Olympics in 2016.

No one claims to have a clue about how the Olympic committee will vote, voting or debating is probably going on as I write this, but my money is on Chicago.  I still can't make myself believe they will vote against the Obamas. 

So, we'll see.  The New York Times sort of likes Rio, many think since London has the 2012 games, Europe is out so good-bye Madrid.  That leaves Tokyo's bid.  

The announcement will be made sometime around noon, EST, with a first cut announcement at around 11:10.  The first vote eliminates the city with the fewest votes and then keep voting until they have a winner.

Talking with a general, an Olympian task

I don't really mind the president heading to Denmark to lobby Olympic officials for Chicago's 2016 bid.  I love the Olympics and a part of me would love to have them so close.  As a matter of fact, there's some who believe that if Chicago gets the games, St. Louis would be the site of a few events.

But, it is troublesome when you compare Obama going to Denmark, with his speaking only one brief time during his 9 months in office to our Afghanistan general McChrystal. 

Click

And, Heh!

Via Exurban League

Closing the Olympic category

One last impression of the 2008 Olympics.

The closing ceremony mirrored the opening ceremony in its "whoa" factor.  Remarkable technological feats with lighting etc, but even more riveting was how so many participants were able to work together to provide breathtaking moments.  Last night's Tower of flame was outstanding.

Then came the "skit" by the 2012 Olympic city, London.  They dragged out a big red doubledecker bus (at least I think that is what it was) and costumed London Bobbies walked around. 

The two cities were like comparing a grade school play with the New York Metropolitan Opera. 

London has some big shoes to fill and lots of work to do.

Metro east Olympic medal

Dawn Harper of East St. Louis won the gold today in the 100 meter hurdles.  Hopefully local viewers will be able to watch the race tonight.  She joins Missouri native Christian Cantwell as local medal winners.

Marathon night

Did anyone else think it was odd that NBC chose to show the entire women's marathon last night?  They barely show the start and finish of the 1500, but have us sitting through 2 hours and 30 minutes of the marathon?  Was it supposed to be both a race and a Beijing travelogue?

That's not to say we didn't enjoy the view along the 26 miles, but couldn't the network have shown a some of the sports we don't get to see too often while breaking back in now and then during the marathon?

Setting an evironmental example

NBC which is among the many media sermonizing to viewers on the environmental crisis, but as often happens, it turns out to be so much "do as I say, not as I do."

The NBC Olympic set in Beijing is air conditioned even though the set is outside.

Olympic notes

After a week of watching the Olympics a couple of things I found interesting:

Makeup can make a young person look older, but no amount of makeup will turn the Chinese women gymnasts into 16 year olds.  Most of those girls are hardly more than babies.

The gold medal favorites in the mens beach volley-ball, Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser, barely beat a Swiss team yesterday.  NBC has broadcast most of American games and will we ever see a pair of competitors with so little animation?  They play with no spark at all. 

How on earth did Michael Phelps touch the pool wall ahead of Serbia's Milorad Cavic?  The replays made it seem as though Cavic had someone holding his legs in order to keep him from touching ahead of Phelps.

Missouri's Christian Cantwell made the front page of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch today after winning a sliver in the shot put. 

Has anyone else noticed how much more slender the track sprinters are this Olympics?  Hardly anyone lines up looking like the Incredible Hulk as was the case the past couple of Olympics? 

Silver medal for Mizzou

Olympic shot putter, Christian Cantwell who was part of the University of Missouri track and field program won the silver medal today in Beijing.

Congratulations to Christian.

photo via MUTigers.com

Beijing street food

Olympic visitors from the west may be taken aback by the myriad kinds of street food for sale.  Not your typical fast food, that's for sure. 

London's Mail Online has the explanation complete with photos.  There has been lots of internet talk about the live scorpion kabobs, or scorpions on a stick.  This meal seems so commonplace over there it must be China's version of the hot dog.  I'm not here to make fun of another culture's food, just don't make me eat it.

Photo via Ann Althouse.