The Olympic Pursuit
An analytical exploration of the cities vying for the XXXI Olympiad, detailing the bid process, evaluation criteria, and election outcomes for the 2016 Summer Games.
Explore Bids ๐ The Decision ๐ณ๏ธDive in with Flashcard Learning!
๐ฎ Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game๐ฎ
The Bidding Landscape
Initial Submissions
The journey to host the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics commenced with seven cities submitting their bids by the deadline of September 13, 2007. These cities were recognized as Applicant cities by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on September 14, 2007.
Shortlisting Process
Following a rigorous evaluation of initial applications, the IOC Executive Board, on June 4, 2008, identified four cities as Candidate cities. These were Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo, representing the strongest contenders.
The Ultimate Winner
After a competitive and closely watched election process, Rio de Janeiro emerged victorious, securing the rights to host the XXXI Olympiad and XV Paralympic Games. This marked a historic occasion, making Rio the first South American city to host the Summer Olympics.
The Olympic Bid Procedure
IOC Framework
The Olympic bidding process is meticulously governed by the Olympic Charter. It involves distinct phases, beginning with the submission of applications by National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and culminating in the election of a host city by the IOC members.
Application Phase
Cities first submit applications, followed by detailed questionnaires addressing critical aspects like political support, infrastructure, venues, finance, and legacy. An IOC Working Group analyzes these responses, assigning scores to assess hosting capabilities and identify potential candidate cities.
Candidature Phase
Shortlisted cities submit comprehensive candidature files. An IOC Evaluation Commission conducts on-site inspections and issues a technical appraisal report to IOC members prior to the final election session.
The Contenders
Rio de Janeiro
Country: Brazil
NOC: Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB)
Result: Winner
Rio de Janeiro's bid marked its fifth attempt, finally succeeding after previous efforts for 1936, 1940, 2004, and 2012. The city leveraged its successful hosting of the 2007 Pan American Games and its status as the first South American city to bid.
Madrid
Country: Spain
NOC: Spanish Olympic Committee (COE)
Result: First runner-up
Madrid's bid benefited from strong infrastructure and experience from its 2012 bid. The city had a high level of public support and a compact venue plan, making it a formidable contender.
Tokyo
Country: Japan
NOC: Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC)
Result: Second runner-up
Tokyo presented itself as a candidate for the "most compact and efficient Games ever," drawing on Japan's extensive experience hosting previous Olympic events. Despite strong technical aspects, public support and the proximity of the Beijing Games were potential factors.
Chicago
Country: United States
NOC: United States Olympic Committee (USOC)
Result: Third runner-up
Chicago was considered a strong contender with significant backing, including from then-President Barack Obama. However, it was unexpectedly eliminated first in the voting rounds, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the IOC selection process.
Baku
Country: Azerbaijan
NOC: National Olympic Committee of the Azerbaijani Republic
Result: Not shortlisted
Baku's bid faced challenges related to infrastructure development and regional political stability, despite the nation's economic capacity.
Doha
Country: Qatar
NOC: Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC)
Result: Not shortlisted
Doha's bid was impacted by concerns over its proposed October dates due to high summer temperatures and its relatively small population, despite strong regional support and modern facilities.
Prague
Country: Czech Republic
NOC: Czech Olympic Committee (ฤOV)
Result: Not shortlisted
Prague's bid, while culturally appealing, struggled with a lack of existing venues and public support, leading to its elimination from the shortlist.
Evaluation Metrics
IOC Working Group Assessment
The IOC Working Group evaluated Applicant cities based on eleven themes, assigning weighted scores. Key areas included government support, infrastructure, sports venues, Olympic Village, environmental impact, accommodation, transport, security, past experience, finance, and overall project legacy. A benchmark score of 6 (out of 10) was established.
Evaluation Commission
Chaired by Nawal El Moutawakel, the Evaluation Commission conducted site visits and issued a comprehensive technical appraisal. Their report, released one month before the election, provided crucial insights into the feasibility and strengths of each candidate city's proposal.
The Decisive Election
Copenhagen Session
The 121st IOC Session, held in Copenhagen, Denmark, on October 2, 2009, was the venue for the final decision. Representatives from the candidate cities presented their cases before the IOC members cast their votes.
Voting Rounds
The election employed an exhaustive ballot system. Chicago was eliminated in the first round, followed by Tokyo in the second round, leaving Madrid and Rio de Janeiro to compete in the final round.
The Outcome
Rio de Janeiro secured victory by defeating Madrid in the final round with a vote count of 66 to 32. This decision was announced by IOC President Jacques Rogge, marking a significant moment in Olympic history.
Key Dates
Bid Submission
First Bid Deadline: September 13, 2007
Applicant City Responses Due: January 14, 2008
Shortlisting
Candidate Cities Announced: June 4, 2008
Evaluation Commission Reports Released: September 2, 2009
The Decision
IOC Session & Host City Election: October 2, 2009
Proposed Games Dates:
- Summer Olympics: August 5 - 21, 2016
- Summer Paralympics: September 7 - 18, 2016
Predictive Indices
Analytical Tools
Specialized websites like GamesBids.com (BidIndex) and Around the Rings (Power Index) provided unofficial predictions and analyses of the bids. These indices aimed to rate bids based on various factors, offering insights into their potential success.
Key Notes & Observations
Bid Strengths
Cities like Madrid and Tokyo were noted for their strong infrastructure and prior Olympic experience. Chicago benefited from significant political and media support, while Rio de Janeiro leveraged its growing international profile and historic first for South America.
Challenges Faced
Cities not shortlisted, such as Baku and Doha, faced hurdles related to infrastructure, political stability, or climate. Prague's bid was hampered by a lack of existing venues and lower public enthusiasm.
Unforeseen Outcomes
The early elimination of Chicago, widely considered a favorite, underscored the complex and sometimes unpredictable dynamics of the IOC voting process. The final decision highlighted the IOC's consideration of geographic diversity and historical significance.
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Click here to open the "Bids For The 2016 Summer Olympics" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
- Madrid 2016 Extends Competition Venues Area
- Madrid 2016 Bid Gets Major Citizen Support
- Tokyo 2016 Gets 62 Per Cent Public Support
- Ninety Two Million Citizens Support Tokyo 2016 Bid
- Poll Shows Millions In Japan Aware Of Tokyo 2016 Bid
- Marathon Boosts Tokyo 2016 Bid
- IOC Member Assesses Olympic Bids
- St Louis 1904 Games of the III Olympiad
- Creation of Chicago Sports
- Olympic Bid Roundup
- Organizing Committee Established For Baku 2016 Bid
- Baku 2016 Unveils Logo
- Qatar will bid for 2016 Olympics
- Qatar will gain much more than the money it spent on Asian Games
- Qatar 2016 Bid Gets Support From OCA President
- A Run For the Money
- Doha 2016 Reveals Olympic Bid Logo
- Prague 2016 Unveils Bid Plans
- Prague Assembly Confirms 2016 Olympic Bid
- Public Support Only 50% For Prague 2016: Bid Questionnaire Response
- 2016 Tingalpa Olympics - ABC Brisbane (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
- Thailand To Bid For 2016 Summer Olympic Games
- (in French) La Flandre veut ses JO, DH.be, 19 Sep 2003
- Argentina Wants To Bid For Olympics
- BBC News: Delhi set for 2016 bid
- BBC News: Delhi will bid for 2020 Olympics
- Dubai To Build Sports City Ahead of 2016 Bid
- Sapporo Japan Opts Out Of 2016 Summer Bid
- Chicago Chosen to Bid for 2016 Olympic Games
- Istanbul Refrains From 5th Consecutive Olympic Bid - Will Bid For 2020 Games Instead
- Portugal Considers 2016 Summer Games Bid
- Mexico's Olympic Committee Rejects Monterrey's 2016 Olympic Bid
- Third time lucky for T.O. Games bid?, www.TheStar.com, July 10, 2007
- Montreal Contemplates Bid For 2016 Summer Olympic Games - GamesBids.com
- Kenya Is Making A Surprise Bid For The 2016 Summer Olympic Games, GamesBids.com, 12 Jan 2005, accessed 12 Oct 2006
- Rome To Become Italyรขยยs 2016 Olympic Bid Candidate, GamesBids.com, 3 Oct 2006, accessed 12 Oct 2006
- BidIndex 2016
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Disclaimer
Important Notice
This content has been generated by an AI model for educational and informational purposes. It is based on publicly available data from Wikipedia regarding the bids for the 2016 Summer Olympics. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, the information may not be exhaustive or entirely up-to-date.
This is not official Olympic Committee documentation or a substitute for professional analysis. The information provided should not be considered definitive advice on sports event bidding, international relations, or historical analysis. Always consult official sources and expert opinions for critical decision-making.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented herein.