Which City to Host 2016 Olympic Games
March 17, 2008
The battle to become the host city for The Games of the XXXI Olympiad, or the 31st Olympic Games in 2016 is well underway. There are currently seven cities who have fulfilled the application process to become hosts of this most prestigious sports event in the World.
The application to host the Olympic Games in 2016 began last September when cities wishing to be considered to hold the 2016 Olympic Games had to submit an initial application to the IOC (International Olympic Committee). Once accepted, these cities then had to complete a 25-question IOC form which were submitted in January of this year.
Originally there were a large number of candidates to become hosts, but now there are just 7 cities remaining. The cities which remain in the running for holding the 2016 Olympic Games include:
- Chicago - United States
- Prague - Czech Republic
- Tokyo - Japan
- Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
- Baku - Azerbaijan
- Doha - Qatar
- Madrid - Spain
The next step is that these cities will be shortlisted by the IOC in June 2008, then the competition really hots up, before the winning city is announce on 9th October 2009 following a meeting of the full IOC membership. How do the IOC decide who hosts the Olympics? Well the answer to this question is rather long, needless to say that each application is assessed on it’s own merits, but follows set guidelines on various areas of the cities suitability. These include areas such as Government support, legal issues and public opinion, General infrastructure, Overall project and legacy, Environment, Sports venues an the proposals for the Olympic Village.
So how do each city measure up to become hosts of the 2016 Olympic Games? Well the bookmakers have their own ideas. They have given the following odds on the outcome of the 2016 Olympic Games challenge:
How they are able to come up with this list becomes easier when you look at the individual cities bids to become hosts of the 2016 Olympic Games.
Madrid 2016 Olympic Games Bid:
Madrid actually applied to host the 2012 Olympics, but were beaten by London, albeit marginally. Madrid scored first place in a number of areas assesed and would be a very strong contender, unfortunately for Madrid, is that the 2012 Olympic Games and the 2014 Winter Olympics are being held in Europe, so the chances that a third consecutive Games will be help in Europe is very unlikely.
Prague 2016 Olympic Games Bid
Prague, like Madrid will be unlikely to hold the Olympic Games, as it too is in Europe, besides it’s infrastructure and lack of stadia also mean that it is most unlikely.
Baku 2016 Olympic Games Bid
Baku may well struggle to find support with the IOC for it’s bid, again this is down to it’s geographical location. As a very wealthy nation (mainly due to it’s oil fields), Baku should be able to afford to host the games, and rectify the fact that it has very few sports venues and poor tourism facilities, unfortunately although an Asian city, Baku is a close neighbour of Sochi, Russia the hosts of 2014 Winter Olympics. It is unlikely that the IOC will go for a location so close. This is Baku’s first application to host the games, and may well be in a better position to host a later Olympic Games.
Doha 2016 Olympic Games Bid
Doha in Qatar, is in the centre of the Middle East. As such has a huge wealth created by being oil rich, so well able to afford the Olympics. Doha has spent lots of money already improving the infrasture, building hotels and improving the transport. Qatar as a country is stable, with no real problems with terror or security, but it’s close vicinity to other countries may dampen the enthusiasm for Doha’s bid. The sporting facilities are really quite good, and although there would need to be more built, they do have a good foundation for the bid. The Middle East have never before hosted the Olympic Games, so could this be their time?
Now we enter the top three cities likely to host the 2016 Olympic Games.
Tokyo 2016 Olympic Games Bid
Tokyo do have a strong case to become hosts for the 2016 Olympic Games. Tokyo has got a great infrastructure, with excellent transport system. It’s failure to win the bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics, may well stand it in good stead with some members of the IOC, however with Beijing holding this year’s Olympics, to return to that part of Asia quite so soon, may well steer the IOC away from Tokyo’s bid, I guess that’s why the best odds at the moment are only 8/1 (Paddy Power)
Rio 2016 Olympic Games Bid
The Olympic Games have not yet been held in a South American city, which may influence the decision of the IOC. Not only is Rio de Janeiro one of the Worlds most beautiful cities, it also had a chance to prove itself in being able to host major sports competitions as it was the host for last years Pan American Games. It has also been selected for the FIFA World Cup in 2014, which may or may not act in favour of Rio to host the Olympics. You can get odds of 9/4 from Bet 365 on Rio winning it’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games.
Chicago 2016 Olympic Games Bid
The favourite amongst bookmakers (8/11 Bet365) is Chicago, which if successful will be the first Olympic Games to be held in the USA since the Atlanta Games in 1996. With two airports and an extensive rail network, Chicago has a really good transport infrastructure. Another thing in the favour of an American bid is the fact that previous games have been held on all the other continents, so it is their turn, this is also true though for Rio.
Which city would you choose, and what’s more, will you put some money where your mouth is? Use the table above to ensure you get the best odds for which city to host 2016 Olympic Games.
Lib Dem Leadership Bet
October 16, 2007
Well, as the weeks unfold, it appears that politics is at the forefront of the news. Sir Menzies Campbell, amid all the pressure of poor poll results has decided to step down as leader of the Liberal Democrats. It’s hardly surprising that this party has fallen in the polls, as their slightly fickle voters have now moved back to the Conservatives.
Still Sir Menzies Campbell, I guess had to be made a scape goat - for the benefit of the party, to enable them to get some coverage in the news (and hopefully more voters).
This however leaves the Liberal Democrats with a bit of a predicament; who will lead the party next? Well there’s no shortage of speculation by the bookies, with the favourite being Nick Legg - Ladbrokes offering 4/7.
Other candidates for the leadership of the Lib Dems include the former leader Charles Kennedy 16/1, Chris Huhne 11/4, David Law 12/1 and Vincent Cable 16/1. There are a whole host of others at longer odds than 20/1, if you think that these will not win. Check out the latest odds at Ladbrokes.
The problem is, who are these people? With the exception of Charles Kennedy, the others are relative unknowns, which does not go down very well with the electorate. To be leader, you do need to be able to inspire confidence, and give something special so the electorate will remember you, and that is what is lacking in the Liberal Democrats.
So will the really only choice for the Liberal Democrats future success take up the mantle again? Charles Kennedy did find it very tough at the top of his party, will he want to take this all back on, well in my opinion, if he doesn’t there’s every chance that the Liberal Democrats will sink further into the marginals, and a new third party could soon emerge - maybe even UKIP?
What are the odds of a White Christmas 2007?
October 12, 2007
Are you dreaming of a White Christmas?
Every Christmas there is one question on everyone’s mind - No, not “Will the Spice Girls be Number 1?” - Everyone wants to know “Will Christmas 2007 be a White Christmas?”
The last “official” White Christmas recorded in London was in 1999, although hardly anyone noticed, it only takes a single flake of snow to drop on the roof of the met office for it be officially deemed to be a “White Christmas”
Bear in mind that in these days of climate change, and therefore milder winters, there is much less chance of a White Christmas - that is not to say that you’ll never see snow again - We are also seeing much more violent changes in weather conditions these days, so heavy snow is quite likely every year. It’s more likely to fall in February or March though, and the chance of correctly predicting when it will snow is very remote indeed.
You’d think therefore that the odds offered on a White Christmas 2007 would be relatively high, but that is not the case. The latest odds of a White Christmas 2007 being offered by Bet 365 is 11/2. Why so low? Well, you only have to look at the sheer number of people who will bet on it being a White Christmas - When/If it does snow on Christmas Day, the bookies pay out huge sums of money.
And when it doesn’t (i.e. pretty much every year), the bookies collect a huge amount of money. So why not buck the trend, be a Grinch and bet on it NOT being a White Christmas this year? Well, the main reason is the odds - a lousy 1/10 is all you’re offered at the moment by Bet365. you’re not going to have much money to spend in the January sales with those odds!
At the end of the day, White Christmas betting is meant to be a bit of fun - It’s not a serious market for professional punters (apart from those who lay via Betfair etc). so if you want to bet a few quid that 2007 will be a White Christmas, then go ahead. but don’t be surprised to wake up to a mild, damp Christmas Day.
Here are the current odds for it being a White Christmas in 2007:
For the very latest odds on Christmas 2007 being a White Christmas, please click here.
Strictly come Dancing latest odds
October 11, 2007
Strictly Come Dancing latest odds 11th October 2007
Here are the latest odds for the contestants on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing program. Please note that the odds shown are for the outright winner, and are current at the time of going to press. Please click here for the very latest odds.
In addition, other markets are available on Strictly Come Dancing 2007, including Gender of winner, top Male and Top Female.
Strictly Come Dancing 2007 is shown on Saturday and Sunday Nights on BBC One. Previous winners include Natasha Kaplinski, Jill Halfpenny, Darren Gough and Mark Rampracash.
Latest Odds to win Strictly come Dancing 2007
Alesha Dixon - 4/1
Gabby Logan - 9/2
Kelly Brook - 11/2
Gethin Jones - 13/2
Penny Lancaster-Stewart - 8/1
Matt Di’Angelo - 12/1
John Barnes - 14/1
Letitia Dean - 22/1
Dominic Littlewood - 22/1
Kenny Logan - 25/1
Willie Thorne - 100/1
Kate Garraway - 125/1
Stephanie Beacham - 150/1
Political Betting
October 11, 2007
Well what a couple of weeks this has been in the political world, all being kicked off by the Conservative Conference, and in particular David Cameron’s speech. This week Labour have had another battering after the Pre-Budget report. All this has fueled a number of special bets being placed at bookmakers and at the exchanges.
After much speculation, the Prime Minister finally announced that there would be no snap election this year, and in fact has stated in interviews that it is highly unlikely that there will be an election next year either. The bookies have given these odds for the year of the next election:
Check the Latest Odds
If you would like to speculate as to who will win, then the bookies are favouring Labour at the moment. Though I guess could all change as we get nearer to an election. The latest odds on offer from the bookies are:
- Labour 8/11 Ladbrokes
- Conservatives 11/8 Skybet
- Lib Dem 100/1 Blue Square
Check the Latest Odds
As to the party leaders, William Hill are offering odds as to whether Gordon Brown will last in office longer than Tony Blair, though the odds are very short that he will (1/100), though if you think he will you can get 16/1.
If like me you think that the next election will be at least 2 years off, then you might want to bet on an election which will definitely be happening sooner. The American Presidential Election will take place next year (2008), George bush is out of the running as Presidents can only serve two consecutive periods of office, so who does that leave?
In America, there are three main parties, the Democrats, Republicans and Independents. The odds for the winning parties are Democrats 1/2 (VC Bet) Republicans 2/1 (Ladbrokes) and an Independent winning 25/1 (VC Bet) - Check latest odds.
As to who the next president will be the field is still open, and the latest odds look like this:
