Harrowing security caused Chicago Olympic snub

KARACHI – The city of Chicago was denied the hosting rights of 2016 Olympic Games not because it was in any way inferior to other three cities in the race, but due to stringent security regime slapped after 9/11 in the USA, according to reports leaked to the media. Tokyo tried to sway the IOC voting by showing that the city already had record USD 4billion set aside for the games, Madrid heavily relied upon its friends in the IOC and Rio de Janeiro appealed for votes on emotional plea that the Games have never been held in South America. Chicago had its bid backed by US President Barack Obama.
Despite having the support of world’s most powerful ruler, Chicago, the front-runner in the race lost in the first voting only because the 98 members of the IOC were convinced that stringent security measures at USA airports would create unfathomable problems for third world countries.
Chicago got just 18 votes in the first round, with Tokyo squeezing into the second round with 22. Madrid was leading after the first round with 28 votes, while Rio had 26.
Rio beat Madrid by 66 votes to 32 in the decisive final vote to clinch the right to host the biggest sports carnival in the world.
The moment that upset USA apple cart came during Chicago’s presentation when an IOC member from Pakistan, Syed Shahid Ali, noted that going through US customs can be harrowing for foreigners. Obama responded that he wanted a Chicago games to offer “a reminder that America at its best is open to the world.”
It was Pakistan’s Syed Shahid Ali who drew the attention of the house to the difficulties that athletes and spectators would face in the USA. During the presentation Syed Shahid Ali noted that going through US Customs can be harrowing experience for foreigners. President Obama’s response to the comment that America was open to the world failed to convince Asian, African and Middle Eastern voters.
Even the French IOC member Guy Drut supported the view of the Pakistan representative of an excess of security. He had complained that he was barred from crossing the lobby of his hotel for security reasons. The city of Copenhagen was closed because of President Barack Obama’s presence. The financial disputes between the IOC and the USOC also went against Chicago.