Olympic Decision To Be Made Today – MN Could Host Soccer Games

The International Olympic Committee is meeting today in Copenhagen, Denmark to make a final decision as to where the 2016 Summer Olympic Games will be held. The choices have been winnowed down to Madrid, Spain, Tokyo, Japan, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Chicago, Illinois in the US.

The Midwest is of course hoping for a Chicago decision, as is President Barack Obama who made a last minute flight with first lady Michelle to Copenhagen where he and the first lady spoke before the IOC this morning. There hope is to persuade the IOC to decide on Chicago.
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Watch the Obamas speak to the IOC

Twin Cities fans will also be  watching carefully as the U of M’s new TCF Stadium is a possible venue for preliminary and possibly even quarterfinal Olympic soccer games. The new on-campus stadium is one of six venues proposed by the Chicago organizing committee to host soccer games.

According to the Star Tribune, FIFA, soccer’s international governing body, will have a say in the final site selection process, but university officials are optimistic based on having a state-of-the art facility and the Twin Cities’ past history in hosting large national events.

The other five sites are the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.; the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J.; and stadiums in St. Louis, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. The university does not yet know if it would be men’s or women’s games, or possibly both.

The proximity of the Twin Cities to Chicago certainly seem like an added advantage for the University of Minnesota’s TCF Stadium.

IMS is hoping to talk to U of M Athletic Director Joel Maturi to discuss the layout and details of hosting a world class soccer game at TCF Stadium as well as Maturi’s vision to see World Class Soccer at TCF Stadium.

To follow the IOC’s meeting live, you can go to Reuters Global Sports Blog who are live blogging from Copenhagen.