It is Rio's chance

Tomorrow the world decides which city will host the 2016 Olympics. The candidate cities are Chicago, Rio de Janeiro, Rome and Tokyo. The latter two, having already hosted the Olympics, have a lesser chance than the former two.

Most independents, including me, are supporting Rio to get the nod. The reason is obvious: It would be really exotic and exciting for a Brazilian city to host the world’s greatest sporting show. Olympics are synonymous with global aspirations, and need to have a pan-world connection. What better to host the Games in a city which is more dreamlike for most of the people? Actually, if given a chance, it would be first South American city to host it. Chicago might have better credentials, and might actually provide a superior show. But that would be too perfect an act. The Games need a reflection of the actual world, and that world resides in cities of Beijing, Rio, Johannesburg, Mumbai, Bangkok etc. So, for a change, the judges, please cast aside your rooted thinking of grandiose criteria (infrastructure, security, connectivity, investment etc) as the only deciding factors, and give people’s heart and vibrancy a chance.

For a change, I too, for the first time, won’t endorse Obama’s plea. He too is going to be there to champion his city’s candidature. But I hope he fails, and then gleefully endorses, “It’s time for change.”