Politicking starts already in host city race for 2020 Olympics

From James Toney, Sportsbeat, in Copenhagen

THE Olympic circus is always on the road - it may pitch its tent from time to time but it keeps on travelling.

LURE OF THE GAMES: With the 2016 host city election decided, thoughts at the IOC's Session and Congress in Copenhagen now turn to the 2020 Games and the 2018 Winter Olympics

Rio 2016 will be a new journey - one alive with possibilities and fraught with difficulties - but, in the bars of Copenhagen last night, the conjecture had already started about the race to stage the 2020 Olympic Games.

The International Olympic Committee will formally invite applications in 2011 and will then commence the process of shortlisting a handful of candidate cities.

The evaluation process will then begin and a decision will be made at the IOC's Session in 2013.

At present lots of cities are throwing their names forward - often just because a local politician is looking for a few cheap headlines, Romagna 2020 anyone?

Tokyo were quick to announce their intention to stand again after being eliminated in the second round of voting yesterday, while there is a slate of well-funded other Asian candidates, including Delhi, Doha and the United Arab Emirates, who have recently formed a working group to study a bid.

Asked whether Tokyo would now campaign for the 2020 Games, Tokyo's governor Shintaro Ishihara said: "It is a question which must be positively considered in consultation with the Tokyo citizens, the Japanese people and the Japanese Olympic Committee.

"I heard everyone say Tokyo's presentation was overwhelmingly great but it was Rio that got it.

"We must learn more about such dynamics. Otherwise, tough battles will continue."

Delhi's 2020 bid will rest entirely on the success of next year's Commonwealth Games, which is exactly one year away today and so far their botched planning won't have done them any favours.

Manchester's successful staging of the Commonwealth Games in 2002 played an influencing role in establishing London's Olympic credentials and India is a major media market that remains largely untapped by the IOC.

INVESTMENT: Delhi have invested millions in venues for the 2010 Commonwealth Games - but have been widely criticised for their behind schedule building plan (Getty Images)

Doha, which staged a spectacular Asian Games in 2006, is still smarting over their failure to make the shortlist this time.

No-one can argue their facilities were not impressive and they accused the IOC of ‘slamming the door on the Arab world' when they failed to make the cut.

However, a key to both bids will be the determination of the IOC to stage the Summer Games in their traditional July/August slot.

Doha wants a Games in October, while Delhi are staging their Commonwealths in the same month.

A wide range of European cities have also hinted at campaigns, including Budapest, Istanbul, Libson, Rome, Venice and Warsaw.

Madrid, who got so close in 2012 and 2016, are remaining coy about running again, although mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon said:  "We cannot allow this result to break our hopes and dreams."

Meanwhile, the political appetite in France for a Paris bid does not exist - after their stunning failure four years ago and previous perceived snubs.

Italy were first out of the blocks following yesterday's Rio vote, with Giovanni Petrucci, the head of the Italian Olympic Committee, talking up their chances within minutes.

Italy's successful staging of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin goes in their favour while the Fina World Swimming Championships in Rome earlier this year created a new template for that event.

However, Venice mayor Massimo Cacciari is already making noises about challenging the Italian capital, the hosts in 1960.

"The time is right for an Italian bid for the 2020 Olympic Games," said Petrucci.

"Rio de Janeiro's victory definitely gives Italy the chance to carefully consider the idea of nominating a city."

With South America finally getting to stage the Olympics, Africa becomes the final uncharted frontier for the IOC.

CENTREPIECE: Durban's stunning King Senzangakhona Stadium will be used during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa

South Africa will make a decision about proposed bids from Durban and Cape Town after next year's World Cup.

Interestingly, Durban will host the IOC Session in 2011 - a key moment in the bid process - and they've sent a team here to exhibit outside the conference hall at the Bella Centre.

Whether a North American city will bid after Rio remains to be seen and the United States Olympic Committee probably won't have the spirit for the fight after Chicago was given such a bloody nose.

Birmingham, Boston and Minneapolis have all commissioned feasibility studies or mooted bids but Chicago's failure might change their minds.

Canada, which hosts the next Winter Olympics in Vancouver, had discussed a Toronto candidature but was holding back on progressing it until the 2016 host was known. Mexico is also likely to reconsider their previous plans.

But before 2020, the race for the 2018 Winter Olympics will also be decided.

The Korean city of Pyeongchang, who missed out in 2010 and 2014, have stated they will bid again while Munich has named ice skater Katerina Witt as the co-chairman of their campaign.

Annecy in France has also declared its intention to run while Chinese officials are still evaluating a proposed bid from Harbin, whose last attempt failed to make the IOC's shortlist.

Denver and Reno-Tahoe in Nevada were both considering running but the USOC insisted they would not back a bid if Chicago lost the 2016 race.

Officials from both cities were in Copenhagen to observe and remain hopeful the USOC will change their mind ahead of the November 1st deadline to file a £150,000 applicant fee to the IOC's Lausanne headquarters.

If only three cities join the race it will be the smallest field to bid for a Games since 1988 - and its likely all the aspiring candidates will be upgraded from applicant to candidate cities ahead of the vote in 2011.

DECISION 2016: Post-mortem starts as Chicago flunk in 2016 Olympic vote