Jerry Colangelo: Olympics selection ‘wired’ for Rio

Chicago finished fourth in their bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. Jerry Colangelo says the voting was “wired.”

Jerry Colangelo is as important to USA Basketball as anyone. The current Chairman of the men’s national team, Colangelo has played an integral part in making sure the U.S. men’s national team brings the best players possible to each Olympic Games.

The team has won the gold in the last two Olympics, 2008 in Bejing, China and 2012 in London, England.

Speaking with ESPN’s “Mike & Mike” on Monday, Colangelo ripped into the International Olympic Committee, saying that Chicago had the best Olympic package, and it was not even close. Chicago actually finished fourth in the selection, which Colangelo said was “wired” for Rio to win.

Rio de Janeiro beat out Chicago, Tokyo, and Madrid to earn the Games, and Colangelo and the U.S. Committee were not even there when it was announced. They were on their way to the hotel to hear the results when they were notified to not bother.

The IOC may wish they had a do-over, as it has been nothing but headaches coming into the 2016 Rio Olympics. Despite a promise from Rio to clean up their water, the country is still highly polluted, and the U.S. Rowing Team had to have special suits made up just so they do not contract a “super-bacteria.”

The U.S. Men’s team filled out their roster this past week, but they will be without some of the biggest names in the sport. There has been speculation that the risk of contracting the Zika Virus could be the main reason for guys like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and James Harden not attending the Games.

The 2016 Rio Olympics will have their opening ceremony on August 5, and will finish with their closing ceremony on August 21.

For more 2016 Rio Olympic news, check out our hub pages.