Baku and Prague were also cut from the initial field of seven cities. The IOC executive board decided on the four-city short list after reviewing a report on each city which scored the cities across 11 areas on a 10-point scale. The categories included government support, general infrastructure, finance, public opinion, sports venues, Olympic Village and legacy.
The four finalists were strong favourites to make the shortlist, but the big question prior to yesterday’s announcement was whether Doha would also make it. Despite the fact that Doha was ranked joint-third among seven candidates in the report, members of the IOC objected to the Qatar capital’s plan to host the Games in October to avoid the summer heat in the desert state.
"The IOC . . . decided not to grant this exception as it conflicts with the international sporting calendar and would be bad for athletes and sports fans," said spokeswoman Giselle Davies. "Does this mean Doha or another country from the middle east could never host the games? No."
Madrid and Tokyo ranked higher than the remaining short-listed cities across several categories, including general infrastructure, environment and overall project and legacy. Tokyo claimed the only 10/10 in the report for its accommodation plans.
Rio ranked highly for government support while Chicago also scored very highly on accommodation plans. Doha ranked ahead of Rio and level with Chicago in the overall assessment.
Dr. Ichiro Kono, Chairman and CEO of TOKYO 2016, said: "A united Japan is delighted with today's historic news. It is a very special and historic day for Tokyo and for Japan. TOKYO 2016 is honoured and absolutely delighted to have been selected as a Candidate City for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016.
“Tokyo 2016 is particularly proud and delighted that the IOC has scored Tokyo 2016 so highly across so many criteria. There seems to be a real appreciation of our powerful concept and vision - which we have drawn up to meet long-term needs of the Olympic Movement as well as those of Tokyo and Japan.
"Despite this praise, TOKYO 2016 is far from complacent. Our team of expert planners in Tokyo is already reviewing carefully every word of the IOC report. This will ensure that TOKYO 2016's Candidate File contains the most imaginative, yet achievable plans; and the most exciting content and concepts for the Olympic Movement. We aim to set new standards of excellence and we will strive to bring the Games to the heart of our vibrant capital city for the benefit of Japan and the whole Olympic Movement."
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, the honorary chairman of Chicago 2016, said :“This is a great day for Chicago, I want to thank the International Olympic Committee for this vote of confidence in our city. We are honoured to be chosen as a Candidate City and congratulate our competition from some of the finest cities around the world. The IOC’s selection of Chicago indicates that the city has the capability of hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games and we look forward to refining our plan that focuses on athletes and builds a passion for sport, culture, education, education and the Olympic movement.”
Patrick Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016, said, “We are thankful for all of the feedback and insight that the IOC has provided on our Applicant File. It will prove invaluable to us as we refine and strengthen our plan in the coming months. We are looking forward to submitting our detailed plan for hosting the Games in February of next year.”
Mercedes Coghen, Madrid 2016’s bid leader said: “We greatly admire the Olympic movement’s values and see the 2016 Games as a golden opportunity to support a modern Madrid that is successful, dynamic and an inclusive place to live, work and play.
“In many respects, the hard work starts now,” she said. “We have a lot to tackle and a great deal to learn from people around the world if we are to successfully build on the achievements of our 2012 bid and bring the Games to Madrid in 2016.”
According to UK press reports, Doha’s bid leader Hassan Ali Bin Ali said: “"It is a great pity that they [the IOC] have closed the door on a bid from the Middle East. If the games are only going to be held in Europe, Asia and America then I do not know why the IOC want us in the Olympic movement."
The IOC will announce the host of the 2016 Olympics in Copenhagen on 2 October 2009.
