Who will host the 2016 Olympic Games?

Although the host city of the 2106 Olympic Games won't be decided until 2009, in Copenhagen, Denmark, the competition already appears to be hotting up.

Seven cities have confirmed bids, including a very interesting mix. The cities are:
Baku, Azerbaijan
Chicago, USA
Doha, Qatar
Madrid, Spain
Prague, Czech Republic
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Tokyo, Japan

Howard Bloom, of Sports Business News, suggested last year that in 2016 it would be the turn of the Americas to host the Olympics, and that it would not be hosted in Brazil as they are hosting the FIFA world cup in 2014. Is that just the view of one man, or that of a US-centric media? Surely if it was such a done deal there would be little point in anyone else bidding? What really are the politics involved?

As refreshing as it is to see Qatar, the Czech Repubic and Azerbaijan bidding, I can't see them being contenders, and maybe it is unrealistic that Europe will be given the games twice in a row. Then, by the same logic, will it be too soon for Japan to have a realistic chance?

So there we go. Back to the Americas. Will the FIFA world cup hosting really have an influence on Brazil's chances? If they do, then we are back to Bloom's prediction: Chicago.

(I wonder, if there is more than a token competition, what the 'hook' will be that the winners use - like London's legacy for youth?)

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