In 1980 the USA boycotted the Olympic games in Moscow

[panader0]

because of the USSR's involvement in Afghanistan. Perhaps this fact wasn't forgotten by the IOC. We've been there eight years and counting.........

[AllentownJake]

1. Oh boy you are opening yourself up for a world of fun

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8681740&mesg_id=8681740

[panader0]

5. Sorry I missed your earlier post.

[AllentownJake]

7. Just saying your in for a world of hurt

Questioning the US action in Afghanistan is akin to hating America to some on here.

[Drunken Irishman]

2. Or maybe it's because the US has hosted them 8 times - more than any nation.

And North America 12, while So. America has hosted it zero times.

[dysfunctional press]

12. the u.s. also gives far more money than any other nation to the ioc.

don't get me wrong- i fully support rio being the host city- they deserve it.

but one reason that the u.s. has hosted so many has been because of it's wealth and it's past prestige in the world's eyes.

[Drunken Irishman]

19. I don't disagree.

But I think Rio is just as capable.

The US will get the Summer/Winter Olympics again.

But the fact Vancouver hosts in 2010 probably didn't help.

[Muttocracy]

13. I can't believe anyone thinks America should have it

given those statistics. I'm not a fan of the Olympics but I do like the fact it gives small nations that are forgotten a chance to shine.

[taterguy]

3. Perhaps the summer of 1968 in Chicago wasn't forgotten by the IOC

[panader0]

6. Is that Abbie Hoffman?

[virgogal]

4. Olympic boycotts come,Olympic boycotts go. There is always

some country mad at another country.

Rio is an excellent choice.

[Swamp Rat]

9. I agree

When I return to Brasil, I'll look into moving somewhere near Rio.

[BOG PERSON]

8. What if it is because Chicago is not the least bit glamorous

compared to Rio de Janeiro?

[rockymountaindem]

10. Why do we have to imbue everything with all kinds of extra significance?

Maybe they just wanted to give it to Latin America for a change. Maybe Rio really did put together a better bid. Did anybody consider that last one yet? Huh?

For all the people posting about how Americans are arrogant to think we should get the olympics, I haven't seen anybody counter the assumption that seems to be latent in all this banter that Chicago *must* have been worthy of it, so if they didn't get the games it must be due to some political or foreign policy consideration. Nobody that I've seen has suggested that Rio may have just had a better case, or made their case better in terms of logistics, money pledged, etc. Isn't that another type of arrogance?

I guarantee you the only people sitting around thinking this has something to do with the 1980 Moscow boycott are nerds like us.

[AllentownJake]

15. You have to appreciate the history though

30 years ago our government boycotted an Olympics over another country occupying Afghanistan. 30 years later our country is occupying Afghanistan.

I posted on this earlier. Does it mean that the United States lost because of the 1980 boycott, there were probably a few IOC officials who remembered the history so probably not, however you have to question the direction our country has taken in the past 30 years where an action we condemned, we are committing in the same nation.

More likely is the fact that our post 9-11 security measures are a pain in the ass to the IOC and the fact the US OC wanted to have its own channel to broadcast the Olympics to make money.

[tavalon]

26. If you want to talk history,

let's talk about how the USSR's overextension of their military (think Afghanistan) destroyed their economy and then think about who is overextending their military now.

[KharmaTrain]

11. Yep...They Sure Showed Us...

They put the '96 games in Atlanta.

There's plenty from recent vintage to get the IOC pissed. President Obama blew the question about "security" at the games thinking the questioner meant at the venue, he was refering to the red tape and harassment foreigners encounter (especially if you're Arabic) in entering the US. Also the USOC decision to form their own cable network without IOC blessing.

Bottom line is Rio did the better job, has history on its side and deserves the games.

[Muttocracy]

16. and SLC and L.A. nt

[Chipper Chat]

14. Maybe the IOC just saw this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkathNjiHWo

[sandnsea]

17. NATO is in Afghanistan, a joint effort

I'm sure Afghanistan had nothing to do with that decision.

[AllentownJake]

20. True

Most of the NATO nations boycotted in 1980 as well

[Berry Cool]

18. And the Soviets boycotted our LA Games right on back at us.

Your point...?

[stray cat]

21. I missed the attack on the soviet union that murdered 3000 civilians

and the international effort made to help the soviets invade....

[AllentownJake]

24. The Soviets went in with actually more legal authority than we did

but that would require you to understand World History. Not just talking points on our invasion from 8 years ago.

[stray cat]

22. and this is why conservatives and some progressives are cheering the loss to the midwest?

[applegrove]

23. Please. There had never been an Olympics in South America. It was their turn

by far. USA had the LA Olympics and the Atlanta ones in the last 30 years. Fair is fair. Don't take it personally because it wasn't about you.

[Odin2005]

25. *FACEPALM*

:eyes: