London Wins & Loses

I was deeply saddened to hear NPR's news upon awakening this morning. I had been following the IOC developments of late, interested in where the 2012 Olympics would take place for a couple of reasons. Currently living much of my life in Manhattan has moved me to oppose NYC as a viable Olympic choice. And yet Paris, where I lived for four years, was a viable contender up until the end. I had mixed feelings about this. I feared some of the impact that Olympic development could have on the city, but I also wondered if it wouldn't be a really super location to host the Games. Recently it had come to look more and more like the final decision would be either London or Paris, and I felt relieved that NYC would not have to undergo the construction of stadiums and commence the contortions and distortions necessary to gear up for such a massive influx of visitors. But I never could have anticipated London's horrible news that has saturated the media today. Bombs in busses and subways. Concurrent acts of violence across central London. These recent NYTimes headlines tell the sad tale: London Upsets Paris to Win 2012 Olympics Ecstatic Londoners Celebrate Winning Games Crowds in London Cheer Olympic Bid Win Paris Stunned As London Wins 2012 Games Did London Win or Paris Lose the 2012 Olympics? Blair Factor Lifts London to Dramatic Victory Sportsview: NYC Wasn't Going to Win Games New York Eliminated After Second Round of Voting New York's Olympic Comeback Falls Short Now New York City Eyes 2016 Olympics Bid No N.Y. Bids for 2016 Olympics After Loss Olympic Victory Helps Fuel Blair Comeback Explosions Hit London Transport System