Axelrod blames IOC politics for Olympics loss

Senior White House advisor David Axelrod blames internal politics within the International Olympic Committee for Chicago's loss to host the 2016 summer olympics.

David Axelrod, a top aide within the Obama administration, believes it was the strength of politics of the IOC that caused Chicago to lose the right to host the Olympics in 2016. Axelrod’s comments immediately came after it was announced that the United States was one of the first four contenders to be eliminated, according to CNN. “I don't view this as a repudiation of the president or the first lady. I think that there are politics everywhere, and there are politics inside that room.” The senior aide added that there were four strong bids and a lot of lobbying going on during the meetings, “it just didn’t work out for us.” Nevertheless, according to Axelrod, the President feels good for going to Copenhagen and representing Chicago and the US, “All he lost was some sleep.” Republican officials have provided their staunch criticism of President Barack Obama because he travelled to Copenhagen, Denmark for the Olympics instead of focusing on the economic turmoil and the wars in the Middle East, reports MSNBC. According to ABC News, Axelrod believes President Obama would have been criticized even if he didn’t try to persuade the IOC of choosing Chicago to host the games, “The fact is he had an opportunity to make the case for the United States of America as a host country, for the city of Chicago as a site for the Olympics and he was proud to do it and he made a great presentation.” He looks at this as politics as usual because people will “scour” you for every decision you make but Axelrod concluded that the President is “back in the saddle and dealing with that.” Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, which will be held between August 5 and 21. Other cities that put their hat into the bidding were Madrid and Tokyo.