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Baku bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics

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Bids for the
2016 (2016) Summer Olympics
Overview
Games of the XXXI Olympiad
Details
CityBaku, Azerbaijan
NOCNational Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan
Previous Games hosted
None
View of Baku

Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, is officially bidding for the 2016 Summer Olympics. This is the first bid by the city to host the Olympic games. Currently, other cities bidding include Chicago (United States), Doha (Qatar), Madrid (Spain), Prague (Czech Republic), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), and Tokyo (Japan).

Candidate cities will be announced June 2008 and the host announced October 2009.

Bid details

Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, has announced that it plans to bid for the Olympics. Initial studies suggest that the cost of hosting the 2016 Summer Olympic Games may be $20 billion. Chingiz Huseynzade, chairman of Azerbaijan's National Olympic Committee, told in a July 2007 press conference that a group of economists is working on this issue.[1] Baku is a resort city on the shores of the Caspian Sea, and hosts many spas, many of which were popular when Azerbaijan was a part of the Soviet Union.

As an oil rich nation, Baku should have plenty of money to fund the games. However, the city's infrastructure has deteriorated since the breakup of the Soviet Union. Another issue that appeals to the IOC is the sports or Olympic legacy of a host nation. As Azerbaijan has been independant only a short time, naturally, it has a short Olympic history, sending teams since only 1996 and claiming only three gold medalists so far.[2] Meanwhile, its long border with Iran may cause oncerns for a security risk. However, Iran itself has expressed support for the Baku Olympic bid. [3]

In November 2007, the Azerbaijan Organizing Committee established its bid committee, installing first vice premier Yagub Eyubov as head. To ensure quick turnaround, Sports Minister Azad Ragimov said that Caspian American Group has been appointed to prepare the bid book with the assistance of the government. [4]

Baku revealed its bid in December 2007. The logo depicts images from the Gobustan Rock Plateau, which features the remains of settlements and burials reflecting ancient human culture.[5]

Outlook

As stated above, due to a wealth of oil, Baku has a booming economy. Nevertheless, Baku is considered a long shot.[6] Concerns center on the infrastructure, budget of the games (which can inflate easily), and the close proximity of Baku to the European city of Sochi, Russia, which is hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics. While Baku is an Asian city, it may be too close to Sochi as the IOC tries to rotate the Games to different continents.

References

  1. ^ Baku 2016 Games Bid Cost Being Studied
  2. ^ Phillip Hersh, Chicago Tribune, "Chicago in 8-City Race for Olympics", Sept 13, 2007
  3. ^ Iran to Support Baku’s Candidacy in Conduct of 2016 Olympic Games: Vice President
  4. ^ Organizing Committee Established For Baku 2016 Bid
  5. ^ Baku 2016 Unveils Logo
  6. ^ The Race Is On For the 2016 Olympics



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