So, who do you think will get it?

(05-18) 15:48 PDT LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) --

It's the United States vs. Europe for the right to host the 2012 Olympics.

New York and four European capitals -- Paris, London, Madrid and Moscow -- were picked as finalists Tuesday by the International Olympic Committee, which trimmed the field from nine bidders to five.

Missing the cut were Havana; Istanbul, Turkey; Leipzig, Germany, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The decision by the IOC executive board kicks off a 14-month race that ends with the selection of the host city by the full IOC assembly in Singapore in July 2005.

The choice of Paris, London, Madrid and New York came as no surprise. An IOC report expressed a "high level of confidence" that all four could host the games.

Moscow was the wild card, making the list even though the IOC said it was "less certain" about the Russian capital's capabilities.

The other four cities, the report said, "do not have the requisite level of capability at this time."

IOC president Jacques Rogge said the executive board could make another cut next May if an evaluation commission finds any "serious shortcomings" with any of the finalists.

Tuesday's biggest loser might have been Rio de Janeiro, which had been seeking to become the first South American city to host the Olympics. Brazil is still likely to get soccer's World Cup in 2014.

Paris came out on top of the IOC report based on 11 criteria, including infrastructure, transportation and security. Madrid was a close second, followed by London, New York and Moscow. Then came Leipzig, Rio, Istanbul and Havana.

Following the IOC decision, British bookmaker William Hill listed Paris as the favorite at odds of 11-10, followed by London 5-4, Madrid 7-1, New York 8-1 and Moscow 20-1.

Geography favors a European city for 2012 after the 2008 Summer Olympics in Asia (Beijing) and 2010 Winter Games in North America (Vancouver, British Columbia).

But New York bid leader Dan Doctoroff dismissed any disadvantage.

"I've probably now met with well more than half the IOC members since July and I don't think a single one has raised the issue of Vancouver," he said. "The one thing that students of Olympic bidding processes will tell you is that conventional wisdom's always wrong. We're just happy to be where we are right now."

New York, which has never held the Olympics, will also have to contend with anti-American sentiment fueled by the invasion of Iraq. But Doctoroff said more important for the IOC is what New York can offer as a long-term legacy to the Olympic movement.

"We feel we have a very compelling case," he said. "It's going to be a tough fight. It's going to be exciting, with lots of ups and downs. It's going to be very intense, but hopefully we'll have an opportunity to demonstrate what New York is all about."

Working in New York's favor was the removal of Rio from the race. With no other candidate from the Americas, New York will hope the European cities will cancel each other out in the voting.

Paris, which hosted the Olympics in 1900 and 1924, remains the front-runner. The French capital successfully hosted soccer's World Cup in 1998 and the world track and field championships in 2003, and is seen by IOC members as having paid its dues after failed bids for the 1992 and 2008 Olympics.

London, which staged the games in 1908 and 1948, is considered a main challenger with a bid featuring several famous sports venues and tourist landmarks -- including tennis at Wimbledon and the triathlon in Hyde Park.

Madrid is the only major European capital that has never hosted the Olympics, though Barcelona staged the 1992 Games.

Paris and Madrid received the highest praise and fewest negative comments in the IOC report.

The report was lukewarm in its assessment of New York, with questions raised about plans for transport, security and the athletes' village. It cited "considerable air and noise pollution" and comparatively low public support.

The race will really heat up in November when the bid cities can begin international promotion campaigns. An IOC evaluation commission will visit the cities next year and compile a report before the Singapore meeting.

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Go New York!

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The best daily political cartoons can be found here:

http://www.csmonitor.com/commentary/index.html

Paris

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My money is on Madrid. For obvious reasons. Not so obvious reason is the fact that Spain hasn´t holded any major sporting event for a long time, and yet they have more than what it takes to organize one. Not like Grece, wich is still woking to build the damn thing, so close to the start of the event! It will take a miracle for them to finish it on time.
They already took out the roof of the olympic pool, leaving the athlets and audience to stomach the greek summer hoven. But as Sydney Black said on the Daily Show, "if it gets too hot, jump in the friggin´ pool"!!

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"Quincitilius Varus, give me back my legions!"
Emperor Augustus of Rome.

To finish the stadiums in Greece, I think that the organizers will have to institute a new competition for construction workers from all around the world to complete unfinished structures.

Can you imagine getting a gold medal in concrete pouring? Or, a bronze medal in brick work?

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The best daily political cartoons can be found here:

http://www.csmonitor.com/commentary/index.html

At least they'll have no problem finding a track for 110m Hurdles and 1500m Steeple

I think Paris will win. They've had an excellent track record in the last few years and it's been a LONG time since 1924.

I voted for NY not far ahead London. Very good reasons for both.

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From SR

Well, the IOC voted Paris and Madrid way ahead of the rest, and considering that since Rio de Janeiro is out, most of the latin vote will sway towards Madrid... gotta root for my hometown. Go Madrid!

Do you know when was the last time NY and London made the Olympics ?

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From SR

One of them never, the other one 24 years later after Paris.
I'm gonna have to throw a coin to decide which of the two's London though :rolleyes:

Now may I ask you what qualifies London and New York in your eyes - except the fact that they both aren't in France?