U.S. Olympians getting used to foreign soil
By David Wharton, Los Angeles Times
When the 2012 London Olympics begin less than three months from now, it will mark an anniversary that Americans might not want to celebrate.
Ten years have passed since the Games last took place on U.S. soil. And with the bidding process extended years in advance, this country’s next opportunity will not come around until 2022.
“That’s a problem,” said Anita DeFrantz, an International Olympic Committee member from Los Angeles. “We like hosting this event. It’s important to the psyche of our people.”
Los Angeles, Atlanta and Salt Lake City proved to be successful host cities over the past three decades. DeFrantz is quick to point out that American broadcast deals and corporate sponsorships account for 60 cents of every dollar that pours into the Olympic movement.
Yet the IOC flatly rejected bids by New York and Chicago in recent years.
We have seen the enemy and he is us.