Thursday, February 23, 2012

2020 Olympic Games


This year, we will witness the biggest sporting event in the world: London 2012 Olympic Games. Athletes from 204 countries are expected to compete in 26 sports and a total of 39 disciplines. Indeed, this event is a celebration of humanity. We will witness the glory of winning and the agony of defeat.

Four years from now, we shall witness this spectacle again in Rio de Janeiro. But did you know, the selection for the host country in 2020 is already ongoing?

A total of five cities are competing to host the 2020 Olympics: Istanbul (Turkey), Tokyo (Japan), Baku (Azerbaijan), Doha (Qatar), and Madrid (Spain).



This is Istanbul's 5th bid. In its last bid, which was for the 2012 Olympics, it was never chosen as a candidate. Should it win, this will be the first time it will ever host the Olympics.




Tokyo hosted the Olympics in 1964. This is also their 5th bid in the Games. Last year, Tokyo lost to Rio. If selected to host the 2020 Olympics, Tokyo would become the fourth city to host the Summer Olympics two times and Japan would have hosted the Olympics four times.



Baku bid for the 2016 Olympics but was not chosen as an official candidate. Should it win, this will be the first time it will ever host the Olympics.


Doha had a bid to host the 2016 Olympics but it failed to even become a candidate. One of the reasons the International Olympic Committee rejected its bid is Doha’s insistence to hold the games in October instead of August, as it is the cooler weather in the area.


Lastly, Madrid is set to bid again this year, after losing two consecutive bids in the past. Last year’s bid was so close but unfortunately, it lost to Rio in the final round of voting. If it gets to host the 2020 Games, it will be the second Olympics for Spain.

The official announcement of winners will be on 23 May 2012. Let's all wait and see. Who is your bet?

Angeli I. Serapio, Entry # 10

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