[NU Sports] No Olympics for Chicago in 2016

[MHRJGScott at aol.com]

duh.
..Chicago was  eliminated during the first round and received the fewest 
votes. A New York  Times article _points out_ 
(http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/03/sports/03olympics.html) :

In the official question-and-answer session following the  Chicago 
presentation, Syed Shahid Ali, an I.O.C. member from Pakistan, asked the  toughest 
question. He wondered how smooth it  would be for foreigners to enter the 
United States for the Games because doing  so can sometimes, he said, be “a 
rather harrowing  experience.”

A “harrowing experience” may be an understatement.  Immediately after 
9/11, the Bush Administration began requiring fingerprints and  photographs of 
tourists from all but 28 countries entering the US. President  Bush required 
that all foreigners register online within three days of travel.  
Thirty-five (mostly European) countries now participate in the US Visa Waiver  
program, however tourists from the rest of the world still have to _jump through 
the following  hurdles_ 
(http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1262.html) :

    *   Pay  hefty visa processing and issuance fees.  
    *   Undergo an interview by a visa officer at the US Embassy.   
    *   Provide evidence which shows the purpose of the trip,  intent to 
depart the United States, and arrangements made to cover the costs  of the 
trip may be provided.  
    *   Present convincing evidence that an interested person  will provide 
financial support if the applicant does not have sufficient funds  to 
support him or herself. 
The average wait for a US visa has risen to about three  months. Brazil, 
which will host the 2016 Olympic summer games in Rio de Janeiro,  has a 
reciprocal visa policy with all countries… [emphasis  original]


 
In a message dated 10/3/2009 11:20:45 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
artmiller_news at yahoo.com writes:

Wow,  what an astute observation.  Yes, the U.S. is definitely unique in 
the  world for having entry requirements and long lines at immigration.  I'm  
sure that was a factor in the minds of the IOC  voters.

:-|