Conference 7.286::sports_90

    And now to the nub of this topic, I have this luvly brick home within a
    short walk of both, the beach here in Melbourne and the National Water
    Sports Centre where all the major water events will be held fro the
    1996 Olympics.
    
    I am prepared to make this jewel of a property available for the
    minescule sum of...blah blah blah per month, payable in advance, blah
    blah blah..
    
    Interested?
    
    
    Don
    *8-)

    How much is blah blah blah???
    
    BTW, lots of talk going on about the 2000 summer Olympics right
    here in Boston.
    
    Wheel

    Re .2
    
    Melbourne and Boston are official sister cities ..you know that, Joann?
    
    TRUE!! 
    
    Don
    *8-)
    

>    In case you're unaware, the City of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,
>    looks set to host the 1996 Olympic Games. 
    
>    It also looks like Atalanta, Georgia and Toronto, Canada have NEVER
>    been serious contenders BTW.
    
    Don't know where you've been reading this Don (an Australian newspaper
    would be my brilliant guess ;^) ) but the word in the Atlanta papers is
    quite contrary to what you're reporting.  
    
    According to our paper, which is basing its information on comments
    made by members of the selection committee, Atlanta is a VERY serious 
    contender and may, in fact, be the current front-runner.  Andrew Young,
    mayor of Atlanta, believes we already have sufficient votes to win.
    
    Time will tell, but I can assure you that at worst Atlanta has made a
    very strong bid for the '96 games.
    
    
    - ACC Chris
    

    If Atlanta gets the games, I'll rent your place and go the beach, Don.
    
    If Melbourne gets the games, I'll rent your place and go the beach,
    Don.
    
    Any great whites (besides Norman) schoolin' around.  Don't want any
    part of that...and don't want them to have any part of me!
    
    	--dan'l

    Re .4
    
    ..how am I gonna break the news to ya??
    
    Re .5
    
    Yeah...wouldn't *THAT* be GREAT!!!!!???
    
    
    Don
    *8-)
    
    
    

    don,
    
    What at this point in my life i would give for one of those
    
    
    Aussie  woman..  tell us Don, as best ya can.. about the  Aussie
    
    woman...
    
    
    dinz
    

    Sheesh Don, do you think Bliss would be interested?????

    re: .2
    
    Wheel, that's just what it will turn out to be, a lot of talk.  There
    was one meeting held among the powers that be in Boston and in the
    state.
    
    Boston does have many of the facilities already in place to hold an
    Olympics - plenty of dorm space, plenty of facilities for rowing and
    sailing, and plenty of colleges for some of the lesser known sports. 
    What it doesn't have first and foremost is a stadium in the 70,000 -
    80,000 seat range with a running track to hold the track and field
    events.  The only decent sized stadia in the Boston area that have
    tracks, Harvard and BC, are both too small and can't easily be expanded
    to be the right size.  In BC's case, local zoning prohibits its
    expansion.  In Harvard's case, they probably wouldn't care.  The
    biggest stadia in New England, Yale and Foxboro, don't have the room
    for running tracks and in Yale's case, is too far away anyway.
    
    Any Olympic city needs to have two arenas that have seating capacities
    in the midteens.  Boston has one.  Providence is too small, Hartford is
    a little bit too far away.
    
    Boston also doesn't have a bicycling track and it doesn't have a good
    sized pool.
    
    Boston has never been able to get its act together to build one
    publicly financed athletic facility.  Delaware North, owners of the
    Boston Garden and the Bruins, tried for 5 years to get its facility
    going in various partnerships before they finally got the green light.
    The delay was due to bureaucratic red tape.  And this is a private
    corporation!
    
    Finally, what Boston and Massachusetts doesn't have is money.  There
    are a lot more things the state has to worry about than investing the
    money needed to build these facilities and I don't think the political
    climate would permit, even though it might be a good long-term
    investment.
    
    Don't get me wrong, it could be done.  Los Angeles proved that with the
    right corporate sponsorship and sound financial management, it could be
    done.  They only had to build two facilities and they got corporate
    sponsorship for those (McDonalds for the pool, Southland (7-11) for the
    bike track).  I just think there are too many obstacles for it to
    happen in Boston.
    
    John

    Funny how the media in each of the bidding countries report different
    views on who is the leading candidate for the Games.
    
    In Canada, the reports are that Toronto and Atlanta are the leading
    candidates, with Melbourne (pronounced Melbun in OZ) running 3rd.
    Coca-Cola has put many $$$ behind the Atlanta bid and somewhat less
    behind the Toronto bid.  The Toronto committee is bringing in IOC reps
    constantly trying to win them over.  An informal poll of the decided IOC
    members to see which way they will vote has Atlanta in the lead with
    Toronto second.  Athens has some sentimental votes but doesn't even
    want (or can they afford) the games.  Melbourne has a good bid but the
    main thing going against it is the time zone  (TV contracts and prime
    time and all that good stuff).  The same poll also shows that if the
    vote goes to a second ballot, that many of the Athens supporters will
    put their support behind Toronto.  We'll have to wait until September
    to see how it all ends up.
    
    pete

    The information I got is exactly the same as yours pete.  (Toronto &
    Atlanta in the lead; Melbourne a somewhat distant 3rd.)
    
    Biggest disadvantage for Atlanta is the fact that the USA has had the
    Olympics recently.  One of the strategies the Atlanta Committee has
    used is to disassociate the south from the US - almost painting it as a
    completely different country!  Other strengths include our airport
    (arguably the best in the world), hotel facilities (Atlanta is
    Convention City, USA), and the relatively few additional facilities
    that would need to be built.  (This based on the assumption that the
    Georgia Dome will be built.)
    
    
    - ACC Chris
    

Jeesh, ACChris. The way you describe Atlanta, one would think that you
like it better than Chapel Hill!

TTom

    > like it (Atlanta) better than Chapel Hill
    
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA (tm)!  No way bucko, but it sure would be nice to have
    the Olympics here.  (Mebee I'll trade ya some free lodging for a pair
    of ACC Tourney tix?!  Heh heh!)
    
    
    - ACC Chris

Straight up trade offer:

	ACC tournament ticket(s) for Atlanta Olympic hoops ticket(s).

TTom

    It's Africa Hot in Atlanta from May to September.  Any mention on when
    they'd hold the games if Atlanta got the nod?
    
    	--dan'l

    True dan'l, true.  Forgot about that "negative".  I think they're
    looking to hold them in September, which could still be awfully hot.  
    
    From what I've read, this doesn't seem to be that much of a factor in
    the decision-making process.  (Money, money, security, money, money,
    accomodations/facilities, money, and money seem to be the most
    important factors being examined.)
    
    
    - ACC Chris

    Re .10
    
    Pete. I really thought your note was a very responsible one.
    
    
    
    WRONG.. mind you, but defintely "responsible" ..hahaha!!
    
    Don
    *8-)

    If the summer olympics were held in Melbourne, would they not take
    place somewhere between the months of November and February?  
    
    Just curious.  I have no idea what the weather is like in Melbourne,
    but it only makes sense that the seasons would be reversed (if they
    were on a similar latitude).
    
    	--dan'l

    RE: Several back.
    
    Greece has requested to host the Olympics, in fact they would like to
    do it on a permanant basis.  The problem is not whether they can afford
    it, but whether the Olympic Committee would like to have permanent sites
    for the Summer and winter Olympics.  BTW the proposal was for the
    winter Olympics to be permanantly held in France in honor of (?) who
    revivied the games after thousands of years.

    Re .19
    
    The last time they were held in Melbourne, I think they were held in
    June ..I could be wrong on that.
    
    Don
    *8-)

    They were held in November because Bill Russell was a rookie with the
    Celtics that year and didn't report to the Celtics until he played in
    the Olympics.
    
    John

    Re .22
    
    In hindsight, I'm certain that John is right. Y'see television
    commenced transmission here in November, 1956 and the very first
    program was the Olympic Games.
    
    Don
    *8-)

    While I'd think it would be great for the 'pics to return to Melbourne,
    my understanding has been that Athens has always had the inside
    track for the 1996 Summer Games for one reason:   in 1896, Athens
    hosted the first "Modern" Olympics, and 1996 is the centenial Games.
    
    My guess is that the Olympics for 1996 are Athens' to lose.
    
    JD

    Re .24
    
    The Athens Airport is far too dangerous insofar as a terrorist threat
    these day .. about the very worst in the world .. has been for years ..
    I rest my case.
    
    Don
    *8-)

    Don, i don't think that is necessarily true anymore.  If you are
    talking about the highjacking of a few years back the terrorirsts came
    on board in Egypt and were in Greece on transit.  Admittedly it is not
    the safest airport, but to label it the worst is far-fetched in my
    opinion.  By the way since my father who just retired from the UN has
    mediated a lot of these "crises" I have a tremendous interest in the
    study of terrorism around the world.

    Re .26
    
    Gee! I sure hope you're right. Y'see, while I'd like to see the
    Olympics again here in Melbourne, I can't help admitting the historical
    significance of 1996 and Athens. 
    
    I'm sure that with a good Oirish name like Rodopolous, we can depend on
    you for an unbiased opinion..yes?
    
    Don
    *8-)

    Actually Don, the only Greek part of me is my passport.  I was born in
    Israel, have lived all over the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent,
    Switzerland, and the USA, but never in Greece.  The stereotyping of a
    country based on a particular incident can be misleading.
    
    I am for the Olympics to be held in Greece for the simple reason that
    it would be a tremendous boost to the economy, in fact it will do the
    same in any country.  Greece being one of the poorer countries in the
    European community, and having been left with a foreign debt of 22
    billion dollars by the Socialists, the Olympics might provide the spark
    needed to overcome our economic weaknesses. 

    Re .28
    
    Well you've raised though the question as to how readily the Greeks
    will fund the staging of the Olympics. Melbourne, on the other hand,
    has a bevvy of pre-existing facilities left over from 1956.
    
    Don
    *8-)
    

    The European championships were held there a few years ago so the
    framework does exist.  I am sure that there needs to be some renovating
    done, and provided there are no strikes, i do not see that as a
    problem.  The only thing that might be a problem is the heat, if they
    are held in the summertime. 

    Richard Pound, Vp of the International Olympic Committee, allbut
    ruled out contenders Belgrade, Yogoslavia and Manchester, England,
    as hosts of the 1996 Centennial Games.
                                
    Pound said Atlanta, Toronto, Melbourne and Athens had better chances
    to host the 1996 games.
    
    Pound also spoke about possibly dropping several sports:
    weightlifting, because of the blood-doping issue; boxing, because
    of inconsistent officiating; and soccer, because top-flight players
    are held out of the games to play in the World Cup.
    
    JD

JD --

I thought blood-doping was detectable?

We all know that boxing is fixed, so why not just award the
medals to the Cubans right after opening ceremonies.

As to soccer, I feel that club soccer is the most exciting
in the world right now.  Olympic soccer would just be a
less skilled version of the defensive tactics we saw in the
World Cup....

JMHO,
'Saw

    How would blood-doping be detectable?  Needle marks?

Well, I'm not 100% sure, but I think there are basic norms for
red blood cell count in a "normal" human being.  By loading up
(or doping) the blood with red cells previously saved, 
this count is increased to a very high level.

I would think a standard blood test could potentially determine this.

I know I read somewhere that blood doping is against the rules.
Well, if it's against the rules, they probably have a way of detecting
it...

    I thought the purpose of blood-doping was to inject the blood into
    the persons bloodstream, increasing the amount of oxygen in the red
    blood cells.
    
    Blood doping *IS* against the rules; but for some reason I think it
    was stated it is too hard to determine if the athlete is indeed doing
    it.
    
    Why don't you, say, take this home for extra credit and let the rest
    of us know?  8^)
    
    

�    I thought the purpose of blood-doping was to inject the blood into
�    the persons bloodstream, increasing the amount of oxygen in the red
�    blood cells.
    
    Not quite.  Blood doping adds red blood cells to the body, thus
    increasing the bloodstream's oxygen carring capacity.  Each red blood
    cell can only carry so much oxygen, but if you double the amount of
    cells, you double the amount of oxygen through the system.

    SO! Melbourne is firming up as a favourite eh? I'm NOT surprised. You
    should see the promotional activity going on here... flags everywhere
    and Ford having donated a whole fleet of limos to ferry Olympic
    officials around, bumper stickers, etc.
    
    ...and there's this guy... works for a computer company...he's said to
    be spreading the word via computer conferenceing outta Melbourne..
    hehe.
    
    Don
    *8-)
    

    I was in Atlanta a few months ago.  You wanna talk flags.  They've got
    them everywhere!  They've even designed their own 1996 olympics symbol. 
    

    Well, last night I went to the library to look up doping and these are
    the facts that I collected:
    
    Doping: taking substances (drugs) in a sport with the intention of
            gaining an unfair advantage over competitors.
    
    
    Procedure for blood doping (also referred to as 'boosting', or 'packing')
    
    A doctor takes a pint or two of blood from the athlete about 2 months
    before competition.  The blood is frozen.  About 2 days before
    competition the red cells from the frozen blood  are given back to the
    athlete by injection.  (Red cells carry oxygen to the muscles and other
    tissues).
    In the meantimes, though, the athletes body has made more red cells to
    replace those taken away.  So there are now many more red cells than
    usual.  This 'extra rich' blood can carry more oxygen to the muscles
    and this helps in sports that call for stamina.
    
    RISKS:
    
    Blood doping is a risky procedure, especially if the blood donated to
    the athlete before a race is from someone else.  Such blood may contain
    microbes that causes diseases like hepatitis and AIDS.  The athlete may
    develop potention coagulation defects (clotting) from increased
    viscosity.  The athelete may also develop a rash or a fever, and there
    may be kidney damage if the wrong blood is used.
    There is also the strong possiblity that an athlete who races with
    boosted blood may push too hard and strain the heart or the body may
    react against the extra cells.
    
    TESTING:
    
    Sports bodies, including the IOC (Int'l Olympic Committee) do not test
    for blood doping because of ethical problems.  Any test would demand
    that a sample of blood be taken from the person at various stages
    before and after an event.
    One method of detection is needle marks.  Another is that a certain
    amount of blood cells may deteriorate and rupture.  The damage to the
    membrane could provide a clue to detecting athletes who had been blood
    doped.  The amount of cell damage is dependent on the type of freezing
    technique used.  It is likely that the procedure will be perfected in
    the future and this will make detection even more difficult.
    
    The boost does not last for more than 14 days, the body rids itself of
    the excess blood cells quickly.
    
    In one test, the times for average runners over a 5 mile (8km) course
    were improved by 50 seconds after blood doping.  It is not likely that
    such improvements would be found in top athletes.
    
    Anyone who would like to read more about doping and drugs in sports,
    let me know and I'll give you the names and ISBN's of the books I used
    for references.
    
    

    Re .39
    
    Yes well Melbourne's Olympic Committee did all of that ages ago. Not
    only that, but opposite Melbourne's most major railways station, at its
    busiest single intersection, is an assembly of the flags of the nations
    who will be competing in the 1996 Olympics in Melbourne. 
    
    Re .40
    
    That was really very interesting. Well done! Please keep up the good
    work Sister Barrows..!
    
    Don
    *8-)

    Sorry that this Melbourne mate's been quiet lately but I've ben away
    with DECworld in Canberra. It was a huge success, incidentally. Well,
    Melbourne's chances took a bit of a blow with the recent resignation of
    Victoria's Premier. ..was due to funancial mismanagement and an
    attendant loss of credibility. The man though pushed hardest of all for
    the Olympics to be here ....and if they were going to be, surely, like
    any politician, he'd have stuck around to bask in the glory!
    
    Don
    *8-)

    Well, it's only another 1o days or so before we'll know where the 1996
    Olympics will be held. The big tips are Melbourne or Athens or Toronto,
    with Melbourne and Athens firming as favourites. I'm tipping it's
    Melbourne because:
    
    Security is superior to Athens, particularly at the airport.
    
    Melbourne has 70 per cent of the facilities already, having hosted the
    16th Olympics in 1956.
    
    All of the main Olympic Games facilities in Melbourne will be within 3
    km of the city centre and thereby well served by public transport.
    
    Melbourne is nowhere near as polluted as Athens, enhancing athletes'
    abilities to perform better.
    
    The proposed Olympic Village for the athletes is completely consistent
    with Melbourne's plans to redevelop its docklands area.
    
    
    	Melbourne's bid has cost $A20 million thus far, about half of which
    was contributed by commercial enterprise (including among which is 
    Digital). The rest of the funding will be available from commercial 
    enterprise too - it's a "no risk" proposition! Ohhh.. here's hoping
    we're a cert!!!
    
    Don
    *8-)
    
    
    

    > The big tips are Melbourne or Athens or Toronto, with Melbourne
    > and Athens firming as favourites.
    
    Wow, this is interesting.  Atlanta is not even mentioned by your source
    as even one of the Top 3 favorites, yet in a recent poll of the Olympic
    committee was listed as the *FRONT RUNNER* to get the nod!
    
    If I were you, I'd start subscribing to a different newspaper ...
    
    
    - ACC Chris
    
    
    BTW - If anybody missed last weeks SI article there was a full-blown
          story on this.  Clearly they're of the opinion Atlanta is the
    	  leading contender.  Also a local television station (Channel 2
    	  I believe) will be covering the sight announcement *LIVE*.
          Truly a huge story in these parts, and deservedly so.

    Re .44
    
    
    Where IS this Atlanta place anyhow?? 
    
    Believe me, Atlanta is given NO hope whatsoever and their chances were
    written off ages ago. As for the Olympic Committee, they're most in
    love with whatever town they happen to be in... forget Atlanta, it's
    OUT...in fact, it never was really IN!
    
    PFFFfffffffffffhahhahahhahahahhahrrrrrrarrararra!!!!!!! 
    Atlanta...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...that's a good one..HAHAHAHAHAA!!!
    
    
    Don
    *8-)
    
    

    Re .45
    
    
    Where IS this Melbourne place anyhow?? 
    
    Believe me, Melbourne is given NO hope whatsoever and their chances were
    written off ages ago. As for the Olympic Committee, they're most in
    love with whatever town they happen to be in... forget Melbourne, it's
    OUT...in fact, it never was really IN!
    
    PFFFfffffffffffhahhahahhahahahhahrrrrrrarrararra!!!!!!! 
    Melbourne...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...that's a good one..HAHAHAHAHAA!!!
    
    
    Rick
    *8-)
    
    

    This might be a dumb question, but if Melbourne were to get the
    Olympics, what month of the year would they be held?
    
    					Steve

    Re .46
    
    Have you not heard of infringement of Copyright??  
    
    Re .47
    
    I agree..see end of this note..
    
    Re. 48
    
    Unsure..late in the year I think..around November?
    
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Atlanta?
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Oh? Atlanta??
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Where? Atlanta??
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    That near the Atalantic..right??
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Atlanta... oh that IS a good one!!!
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    The Olympics eh? 
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Well.. mind you ... hell could freeze over!!
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Atlanta ..where did you get that one?
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Oh this is cruel!!!
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    A T L A N T A ???????????????????
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    ...over this boy's dead body!!
    
    Don
    *8-)
    

    Well, anybody who is anybody in Melbourne is currently in Tokyo for
    Tuesday's big announcement as to which city will be hosting the 1996
    Olympic Games. It's really anybody's guess as to whether it'll be held
    in Melbourne, Athens or some relatively unknown place in the USA known
    as Atlanta. The probability is Athens, the sentimental choice, with
    Melbourne being the right choice for the best reasons and Atlanta if
    the value of TV rights is to be the arbiter. Atlanta has offered to
    "buy" the Games, so to speak.
    
    Irrespective of the outcome, us Melburnians are all staging a huge
    party in the City Square of Melbourne on Tuesday evening here and
    irrespective of whether we win, there will be one huge celebration/wake 
    when the news is announced as to which city has been selected.
    
    Don
    *8-)

    Hey, whadaya know, MelbourneDon has finally recognized that there's
    this place called Atlanta that just might walk away with the Games. 
    Progress!   ;^)
    
    FWIW the networks have announced that their preference for the host
    city is Toronto.  Unclear what effect that will have on the decision.
    
    I'm feeling less optimistic now than, say, a week or so ago.  Something
    tells me Athens is gonna pull the upset.
    
    Win or lose though the committee representing Atlanta has done a whale
    of a job, and the entire community has really rallied around them. 
    Coverage for the Tuesday announcement will be made on live TV, and much
    rejoicing or mourning is sure to follow.
    
    Good luck to all, and may the best city (Atlanta!) win.
    
    
    - ACC Chris

    Re .51
    
    To be fair..and this is really me talking..Atlanta has done well and is
    to be respected for that.. but yes, I have to agree that I think Athens
    will win the games. This is despite the fact that Melbourne has the
    best venues, no pollution, best security and majority of the athletes
    have been hoping for a trip Down Under... If Athens wins, I will accept
    that decision but I think it's a shame that we've had the Games on
    very, very few occasions in the Southern Hemisphere. 
    
    Then again, that's just one more reason why Melbourne should get them.
    
    Don
    *8-)
    

    Sheesh, I hope that Melbourne gets it....judging from the beautiful
    postcard I got from down under, I would like to see more of this
    place!

    .53�    Sheesh, I hope that Melbourne gets it...
    
    So do I. Why?...well the last time an Irishman won a gold medal
    was in Melbourne in '56. The man was Ron Delaney the event was
    the mile.
    
    So here's to Melbourne.
    
    - Dave Keating.

    The announcement will be made around 7:45 am tomorrow.  Every Atlanta
    journalist worth his weight in salt is in Tokyo.  All 3 networks are
    being pre-empted here for live coverage.  
    
    Their seems to be two (2) camps in the voting.  One is sentimental and
    is leaning toward Athens.  The other is more objective and has 3
    preferred candidates: Atlanta, Melbourne, and Toronto.  My fear is that
    these three will split alot of votes giving Athens the "W", despite
    their horrible pollution, shaky (at best) security, lousy airport, and
    political instability.
    
    We shall see ...
    
    
    - ACC Chris
    
    

>>    these three will split alot of votes giving Athens the "W", despite
>>    their horrible pollution, shaky (at best) security, lousy airport, and
>>    political instability.
  
Hey Chris,

I think your fears may come true:  The airport must have improved since the
days when there were so many hijackings, and, as far as political 
instability goes, I think that EEC membership has provided a good calling card.

The real issue for me is the pollution.  Can you imagine how many athletes 
would be severely ill from that garbage?

Alas, I reckon it's theirs because of the 100th anniversary.

Otherwise, what the heck, why not Toronto?  At least we'd get some good 
multi-national SexDome adventures...

rick ellis 

    ATLANTA WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ATLANTA WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ATLANTA WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ATLANTA WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ATLANTA WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ATLANTA WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ATLANTA WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ATLANTA WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ATLANTA WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ATLANTA WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ATLANTA WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ATLANTA WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ATLANTA WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ATLANTA WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ATLANTA WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    
    
    The International Olympic Committee has gone into a huddle while a
    recount is hastily under way. I can hear the call.. "Spin the wheel
    again, Samaranch!!!"
    
    Seriously folks, congratulations Atlanta. You've done well and all
    Australians will do all to help you stage the best Olympics ever.
    
    Don
    *8-)

    
    Now all we need is a Super Bowl victory and a World Heavyweight
    Champion...
    
    Steve

I guess that just proves you can buy anything these days.....

I still think it would have been better in Manchester - after all, the UK hasn't
seen an Olympics since well before WW2 (you lot got one in 84).

Not that I'm a sore loser...

Andy ;^(

Unfortunately Andy, money will buy almost anything, and I heard that
Atlanta (probably read that Ted Turner) sunk major bucks into getting
the Olympics.

I hope it doesn't turn into another Goodwill Games fiasco...

'Saw

    
    Thank God Athens didn't get it. The sight of all those hulky men
    running around in little pleated skirts, sandals and ribbon headbands
    would have been too much. 
    
    But where or what is Atlanta? No doubt affirmation of the IOC's
    contention that the Games should not be held within 1000 miles of
    civilization. Wasn't it in a film with Clark Gable? Or Betty Grable?
    
    Mr Edward 'Mine's A Big Buck' Turner will be happy.
    
    
    Peter
    
    

    � ... after all, the UK hasn't seen an Olympics since well before WW2
    � (you lot got one in 84).
    
    The 1948 Summer Olympics were in London, I believe.
    
    Bob Hunt

>>    � ... after all, the UK hasn't seen an Olympics since well before WW2
>>    � (you lot got one in 84).
    
>>    The 1948 Summer Olympics were in London, I believe.
  
Bob,

Nice to see your contribution, but I think it's academic.

I mean, can you imagine Olympic Hooligans going around beating up people and
starting things on fire with Pretend Olympic Torches??

Gimme a break!

Good for Atlanta - of course I personally would have preferred SexDomeCity.

rick ellis

I do not think that should the Olympics ever return to these shores that there 
would be major problems with a hooligan element. I am sure Atlanta will have 
it's own little 'black spots' where some of the lesser elements of humanity will
be out to peddle off of the back of the Olympics.........

Excuse my American geography, but I assume it is far enough North for the Ku 
Klux Klan not to be a problem....or Crack addicts.....?

I am sure the '96 Olympics will be special, and the IOC will make lots & lots of 
lovely money, after all that is what Sport is all about at least that appears to
be what the Governing bodies think....

Cheers,

Rex

PS. replies to WARDER::PURNELLR

    Rex, send MrT mail.  He'll straighten out your geography a bit.....
    
    :-)
    
    Hawk

    
    No problems here in Atlanta....No Klan, no crack addicts.  Just a lot
    of hyper-righteous do-gooders and a head football coach who is about to
    be canonized......
    
    ;>)

	(.64) The 1948 Summer Olympics were in London, I believe

My mistake, I grovel for forgiveness.

However, the point was that Manchester had a good package put together and didnt
seem to get a look in on the day. It has been considerably longer than 6 years
(ok, get my facts straight this time, 12 years come 1996) since the Olympics
happened in the UK. And then it was in London (some may be surprised to find
that there is life in the North of England).

I tend to agree with the thinking of others in this topic - money speaks.

Andy ;^)

    Hey, listen, you stiff-backed Limeys lost your dumb ol' Empire after
    our daddies and John Wayne bailed you and the Frenchies out in
    W-W-Eye-Eye.   And that was 30 years after we had bailed you out the
    first time in W-W-Eye.
    
    So, don't come in here pissin' and moanin' about not gettin' this
    a-here 1996 Olympics.   It ain't very British, don'tcha know ???
    
    Huge copious amounts of smilies ...
    
    Bob Hunt

  
  >  Thank God Athens didn't get it. The sight of all those hulky men
  >  running around in little pleated skirts, sandals and ribbon headbands
  >  would have been too much. 
    
    Althought the skirts that you mentioned are worn by soldiers as
    tradition ( much like those boofon hats the British troops wear, or
    those ugly Beefeater costumes) they are not everyday attire.
    
    If one wants to see formal English beachwear just look for the
    milk-white man with dress socks and sandals.  They are the ones who are
    staring at the topless bathers and drooling since women is not
    something England is known for.  
    
    Hope this helps,
    
    John "D Cowboys" R.
        
    

    BTW, congrats to Atlanta, I'm sure they will do a great job.  One thing
    that the US excels at is entertainment and this was very evident during
    the LA Olympics.  It was probably the best managed Olympics ever.
    
    John "D Cowboys" R.
    

    
    No skirts, sandals, or Adidas headbands should be needed at all. 
    Weren't the ancient Olympics held in the nude anyway? (Well, maybe they
    just girded their respective loins a little.)  I believe clothed
    olympians started soon after the world got a load of them Russian women
    shotputters.  Man, Jackie would have been a treat to watch though.
    
    Dickster
    

    RE: Where is Atlanta and the Gone with the Wind comment.
    
    You been there lately?  It's a big ass city.  Like most southern
    cities, thanks to the union army, has very little history.  Atlanta,
    Charlotte, Columbia, etc. were all pretty much ransacked by the North
    and started over from scratch.
    
    Atlanta's nickname is Hotlanta and it certainly lives up to it in
    temperature and nightlife.  Fun place to play.
    
    RE: 66
    
    The Klan is everywhere, not just in the south.
    
    
    Question to whomever:
    
    I assume the Georgia Dome will be finished by then.  Will the games use
    it?  Have any of the games ever been played in a domed stadium?

    The Dome will definitely be ready, seeing's how it's a requirement for
    the Super Bowl which Atlanta is hosting in '94.
    
    I assume most of the ceremonies, track & field events, etc. will be
    held in the Dome.  This could have some big advantages if television
    dictates the games must be held in July/August.  If it wasn't for TV
    the ideal time to hold the games would probably be mid-September, but I
    suspect the execs will fear that's too close to baseball playoff time.
    
    
    - ACC Chris

    Will the dome havea retractable roof?  In not, then I doubt the
    track and field will be held there - since it would then be considered
    an 'indoor' meet.  I'll be seriously bummed if they hold it indoors.
    
    JD

    Ermm.. I vote that we drop all reference to Melbourne in this topic..
    it's OVER for Melbourne now.
    
    From what I've heard from our Aussie correspondents in Tokyo, the
    Atalanta bid was $US 200 million better than its closest rival..thanks
    to the Ted Turner Cable News Network. It's generally held that the
    Australian bid was very, very good but that in the end, the older, more
    conservative IOC members have voted for what they consider to be the
    safest possibility. None of this augers well for the future in that
    small cities/ third world countries are virtually a thing of the past
    insofar as ANY chance to host an Olympic Games. As for Melbourne, well
    it looks like 2000 will virtually be the preserve of the new united
    Germany. We can all forget 2000. 2004 is a possibility but then, it's
    thought that that bid by Australia would more likely be based around
    Sydney, rather than Melbourne..don't know why.
    
    I'll leave you with a thought though and it's this..I think it's a
    graet shame that such a so-called AMATEUR international event has been
    BOUGHT by big business..also that the Olympic Games have only been held
    ONCE in the Southern half of the world, ie., Melbourne in 1956. I am
    proud of the job we did of conducting that XVIth Olympiad here.. just
    as proud of the fact that Australia has been competing in the Olympic
    Games since their inception and we've always tried to truly adhere to
    the Olympic spirit of fair play. Despite feeling somewhat disappointed
    ..a lot of us got awfully drunk last night here ..I wish the Atlanta 
    Olympics every success.
    
    Don
    *8-)

    Nothing like a bit of a wind-up to flush 'em out.
    
    What's the connection between a city being 'fun' etc and organizing the
    Olympics?
    
    Discuss
    
    {Mr Hunt should reply in comprehensible English, please}
    
    
    On your marks...
    
    Peter

So, congrats to Atlanta.

What's all this criticism about it being a question of money.  It is
absolutely a question of money among many other things.

Is the fact that money is involved upsetting noters in here because we
associate the Olympics with amateurism?  If so, it's sadly out of date...

Also, we in Europe will have to demonstrate more professionalism if we want
to convince the world about things like the Olympics.

I'm sure that Atlanta will be fun (no political problems), profitable, well
organised with enough facilities, etc..

Hell, the last nail was being driven in the stadium in the Football World Cup 
as the bloody ball was being dropped to start the first match.  This 
situation arose because the Italian workers decided to strike a few times.

It's the first thing that came to mind when I saw Manchester on the list.  I
thought, Jesus, I'll bet that would be organised the same way as anything else
in England - a mess - strikes, breakdowns, who knows what.  

Can you imagine trying to organise the same thing in Athens??  Shudders...

rick ellis

    RE: Melbourne
    
    I heard two different reporters say this yesterday:
    
    "Atlanta had competition from Toronto and Manchester, England.  But
    they prevailed and won the games.  Melbourne, Australia was also
    considered."
    
    RE: fun factor
    
    So, when someone attends the olympics, do they go just for the games?  I
    don't know.  My personal idea of attending the games would be to see
    some favorite sports and spend other time sightseeing and partying. 
    Atlanta is a place for both.
    
    Do you think people are going to come from all over the world, watch
    some events, and then go sit in their hotel rooms until their next
    sporting interest is on?  No way.  They go out and have a good time. 
    If you're just looking for a place to hold the games, why not Wakeeney,
    Kansas?
    
    	--dan'l

    � What's the connection between a city being 'fun' etc and organizing the
    � Olympics?
    
    The Olympics are not the same thing as a visit to your dentist.   They
    are supposed to be "fun" for all.   For the spectators and the
    participants.   Placing them in a "fun" city increases the total amount
    of "fun".
    
    As Crash Davis said in "Bull Durham": "This game's supposed to be fun. 
    Now have *FUN*, ___dammit."
    
    � {Mr Hunt should reply in comprehensible English, please}
    
    Huh ???
    
    Bob Hunt

    Goodness, I got replies.
    
    
    Depends on how you define fun, I suppose.
    
    Was Seoul fun? Doubt it. LA? You jest, of course.
    
    Three weeks in Atlanta is not exactly my idea of fun. But then I'm
    different. 
    
    Peter

    re .82
    
    You must be REALLY different if you can't have fun in Atlanta!
    Is your definition of fun limited to ice fishing?
    
    Chris

    I'm still looking for it on the map!
    
    
    Peter
    

    re: JD
    
    The Opening Ceremonies and Track & Field competition will NOT be
    held in the Georgia Dome.  Instead a new (outdoor) stadium will be 
    built alongside Fulton County Stadium (present home of the Braves) 
    which will be used for those events.  The Braves will use the new
    Olympic Stadium (not sure if that's an official name or not), 
    squashing any rumors that they may be moved to another city.
    
    Many events will be held at the G-Dome, including gymnastics, boxing,
    and basketball.
    
    
    - ACC Chris

    OK, on to my question(s).
    
    What are the likely venues?  What will be at each?  How many have to be
    built and/or renovated?  What will be used for athelete's housing?
    
    Any idea how they plan to handle the soccer?  (This was spread out all
    over the country for the LA games.)  [Sheesh - between the World Cup
    and the Olympics, if we cain't get soccer jump-started, ain't nuthin'
    gonna work.]
    
    Quite frankly, I'm amazed that the US won out over Toronto and
    Melbourne.  I hope the Aussies get another go at playing host, it would
    be a great time, I'm sure.  Athens hasn't struck me as being viable, in
    spite of sentiment, simply because the government there is too strapped
    to be able to build the necessary facilities, it's too close to an area 
    which is a continual powder-keg and source of terrorist activity, and
    business interests in the area don't appear willing to run it without
    government support.
    
    A&W

    From today's Charlotte Observer:
    
    The City:
    
    Economic and cultural center of the Southeast; A leading site for
    business and political conventions with years of experience
    accomodating large numbers of visitors.
    
    Population: almost 3 million
    
    The Facilities:
    
    65,000 hotel rooms
    
    Harsfield airport is among the busiest in the U.S.
    
    Extensive communications facilities; home of CNN
    
    Domed stadium for basketball and gymnastics.
    
    To be built:
    
    85,000-seat outdoor stadium fo rtrack and field, opening and closing
    cerimonies
    
    Natatorium
    
    Velodrome
    
    Olympic village to house athletes
    
    

    
    
    	I heard that the Olympic village would not have to be built
    because the athletes could use the campus of Georgia Tech. 
    
    	If that is so, then Atlanta was a good choice because most of
    the stadiums and arenas, as well as the Olympic village for the
    athletes, already exist.
    
    							bill..g.
    

    If you can't have fun at the Cheetah II in Atlanta,  where can you
    have fun?
    
    Beat 'em Bucs
    Bill

    .89�    If you can't have fun at the Cheetah II in Atlanta,  where can you
    
    
    	Try the Cheetah III or Taddle-tails!
    
    B.A.

Some comments:

IOC Voting

As I understand it, the voting was done process of elimination.  I don't recall
placement in the voting but it went 5 rounds:

			       Eliminated
			       ----------
		Round 1		Belgrade
		Round 2		Manchester
		Round 3		Melbourne
		Round 4		Toronto
		Round 5		Athens

Re: the Aussie (in Australia, of course) who complains the Olympics were bought

While I'm certain the decision may have been based to some degree on finances,
I am certain that it was not the sole reason for the decision.  Every bidding
city had its positive and negative points -- no individual point (IMHO) was
the deciding factor in the decision.  Melbourne would be a fantastic place to 
hold the Olympics (I don't think I've heard anyone here deny that) but so is 
Atlanta.  And, in this case, the IOC decided the latter to be the site for '96.
I do hope you get another shot at hosting -- I'd love to come see 'em (as well
as your country).

Re: the bloat who can't find Atlanta on the map

It's obvious from your comments you haven't been to Atlanta before.  While I
can appreciate your disappointment that Atlanta got the Olympics over <'insert
favorite olympic site here'>, why must you be a poor sport and bad mouth the
winner -- especially when you haven't a clue what the place is like.  I hope
you have an opportunity to attend the Olympics here or, at least, visit some 
time.  Perhaps you'll then get a truer idea of why were selected.

Re: Cheetah III and Tattletails (for the informed, both are strip joints)

I hear The Gold Club is the tops in Atlanta for this form of entertainment.
Suppose to be first-class.

Re: Housing

The Olympic Village will consist of twin towers on each side of North Avenue
with a sky-walk connecting the two.  This, in addition to present dorms used
by GA Tech will be sufficient to house the athletes.  After the Olympics, GA
State University, GA Tech, and other universities (Morehouse ???) will share
the facilities.

    You obviously didn't detect the mereest trace of irony in my
    contribution(s). Atlanta, I'm sure is a lovely city, with peach trees
    everywhere. According to the mayor it's the greatest place on earth.
    
    As far as I'm concerned, they can hold the Olympics anywhere. What I
    object to is the IOC ('we want low-cost Olympics' - remember that?)
    clearly being seduced by the town that spent 7 million green 'uns on
    its campaign. How can smaller countries compete with that?
    
    
    Peter
    
    
    

    I thought I heard that the 7 million Atlanta spent was lower (if not
    the lowest) than other cities.  Seems like someone spent 30 million.
    
    Any others hear this??
    
    Tom
    
    

>    I thought I heard that the 7 million Atlanta spent was lower (if not
>    the lowest) than other cities.  Seems like someone spent 30 million.

Believe it or not, I heard that Athens that spent $30 million.  'Course
it could have only been bias reporting...;-)

-Andy

    Wow, just got this - didn't hear anything about New York in here! 
    
    Top Ten Reason Why the 1996 Olympics should be held in New York City:
    
    10.  No shortage of started pistols
     9.  Already have cute mascot "Lou the giant rat."
     8.  NEW YORK YANKEES SET TONE FOR AMATEUR ATHLETES
         (That one's for you Dinz....haha)
     7.  Eternal flame ceremony enhanced by mile-long parade of arsonists.
     6.  Would give city cab drivers a chance to root in person for their
         home countries.
     5.  New exhibition sport: "Turnstile Jumping"
     4.  Extra traffic easily handled by city's clean & efficient monorail
         system.
     3.  Room for out of town visitors at Letterman's place.
     2.  Fun for Olympians to compare neck burns where gold medals USED
         to be.
     1.  Hudson River practically made for synchronized swimming.