2016 Olympics: Decision on Friday

[LukenDC]

On Friday the International Olympic Committee will award the 2016 summer Olympics to one of four bidding cities: Chicago, Madrid, Rio, and Tokyo. I am, of course, supportive of Chicago's bid and believe that Chicago is more than capable of staging an outstanding Olympic Games. The thousands of jobs that a Chicago Olympics would create would also be wonderful and a much needed boost to the Great Lakes economies.

Who else is following the 2016 Olympic decision?

 

[RitaE]

I really can't decide how I feel about it.

I agree that having it in Chicago would be a once in a lifetime experience for those of us that live in the area.

But --- I really don't know if Chicago can pull this off. Our transportation system is about as sucky as it gets and the State is already in a fiscal crises of massive proportions. We have no money to invest in this .. KWIM?

 

[Handbag Lady]

When the Olympics were here in 1984, I thought Los Angeles was going to crumple. How could we deal with the extra traffic? Who had the money for the extra police? What about crime? What about cleaning up the main section of town where the Coliseum has its home?

But you know what? My city did a great job. They asked businesses to have staggered shifts so that the 110 Freeway (goes right next to the Coliseum) wouldn't be impacted, and it was a hoot driving by each day and seeing that torch lit for the first time in my life. When we attended each event, the sheer joy of being an American at such a world event brought much needed civic pride back to our city.

I hope it comes to Chicago so that they can also benefit from the revenue that comes with hosting duties.

 

[mrsv98]

For me, I hope we get it. I know I am in the burbs and so not as impacted but I do think it would be a good thing. DD will be 16, just the right age to volunteer and be a part of the action. I am crossing my fingers until Fri!

 

[Jennasis]

I just don't see how Chicago can get the bid. Frankly, if NY couldn't get it with the post 9/11 sentiment, I don't see how Chicago can. Traffic, cost, transportation, etc etc... That said, of course I'd love for the games to be in the US.

Thanks for the update on the decision. I was JUST saying earlier today, I wonder when the announcement will be made?

 

[~Kik-Kik~]

I think we could beinnfit from having them obviously, but I think Tokyo will get it, which is my second choice.

 

[Rora]

I really hope it's Chicago or Tokyo.

I would love for it to be on American soil this year!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

When the Olympics were here in 1984, I thought Los Angeles was going to crumple. How could we deal with the extra traffic? Who had the money for the extra police? What about crime? What about cleaning up the main section of town where the Coliseum has its home?

But you know what? My city did a great job. They asked businesses to have staggered shifts so that the 110 Freeway (goes right next to the Coliseum) wouldn't be impacted, and it was a hoot driving by each day and seeing that torch lit for the first time in my life. When we attended each event, the sheer joy of being an American at such a world event brought much needed civic pride back to our city.

I hope it comes to Chicago so that they can also benefit from the revenue that comes with hosting duties.

We went in 1984 to the Olympics. We stayed for a little over 2 weeks at my grandparents house in La Puente. I honestly don't recall any serious traffic difficulties.

I wasn't too much of a fan of the crowds inside the stadium.

No city thus far who has gotten the Olympics has failed to rise to the occasion and any city that gets it would be more than capable of getting it all up to snuff.

Though we always root for the USA--I think it is only fair that much more of the world gets to share the honor of hosting.

A lot of what determines which city gets the bid is their actual bid. We never know why a city doesn't get it.

We lost a bid in recent years, but I think it was b/c it was an area or state that bid and not an individual city and the IOC tends to want an actual city. I'm blanking on which bid had the issue though. Anyone remember?

 

[Handbag Lady]

We went in 1984 to the Olympics. We stayed for a little over 2 weeks at my grandparents house in La Puente. I honestly don't recall any serious traffic difficulties.

I wasn't too much of a fan of the crowds inside the stadium.

No city thus far who has gotten the Olympics has failed to rise to the occasion and any city that gets it would be more than capable of getting it all up to snuff.

Though we always root for the USA--I think it is only fair that much more of the world gets to share the honor of hosting.

A lot of what determines which city gets the bid is their actual bid. We never know why a city doesn't get it.

We lost a bid in recent years, but I think it was b/c it was an area or state that bid and not an individual city and the IOC tends to want an actual city. I'm blanking on which bid had the issue though. Anyone remember?

My mom is Italian, so every time the Italians were competing in an event, she made us cheer for them. She even brought her Italian flag. It was great. Here is this mom, shouting for the Italians and then her two teenaged daughters were cheering for the US OR any cute male athlete! WHOO!

 

[gate_pourri]

I personally am keeping my fingers crossed for Rio! Go Rio!

 

[LukenDC]

I just don't see how Chicago can get the bid. Frankly, if NY couldn't get it with the post 9/11 sentiment, I don't see how Chicago can. Traffic, cost, transportation, etc etc... That said, of course I'd love for the games to be in the US.

Thanks for the update on the decision. I was JUST saying earlier today, I wonder when the announcement will be made?

NYC did not get the Games because it was not a viable candidate. The NYC plan centered on a stadium complex that was to be built in Manhattan. A couple of weeks before the IOC decision, financing for the stadium collapsed and it was clear that there would be no stadium. Since NYC did not have a Plan B, there was no realistic way that they could host the Games. NYC also suffered from lack of public support for the Games.

The USOC, after being burned by the ill-fated NYC 2012 bid--- has made certain that Chicago has guaranteed infrastructure AND public support.

 

[BunsenH]

An important guy is going to talk with the decision makers. The buzz is that he wouldn't be going unless it was to bring the prize back to Chicago.

 

[ead79]

I would love for Chicago to win.

I'm from Atlanta (well, technically a suburb just north of the city), and it was SUCH a thrill when we hosted the Olympics. I would love to be able to go see them in Chicago.

 

[LukenDC]

An important guy is going to talk with the decision makers. The buzz is that he wouldn't be going unless it was to bring the prize back to Chicago.

I'm delighted that Obama is going to Copenhagen to personally lobby on behalf of Chicago. The leaders of Brazil and Spain will be lobbying on behalf of their cities, so Obama's presence evens the playing field.

 

[Jennasis]

I'm delighted that Obama is going to Copenhagen to personally lobby on behalf of Chicago. The leaders of Brazil and Spain will be lobbying on behalf of their cities, so Obama's presence evens the playing field.

IT IS!!!. UPDATE: http://www.canada.com/news/Chicagoans+divided+Obama+trip+2016+Olympic+Games/2043550/story.html

As for NYC not being a viable candidate, I am sure you are right. However I was speaking in terms of sentiment. If the powers that be couldn't muster up the gumption to MAKE NYC viable with the post 9/11 sentimental surge, I don't see the enthusiasm for Chicago being any better.

Tokyo HAD it's shot in 1964, so I say phooey on them...

I am hoping for Rio seeing as how no South American country has ever hosted before. (Before anyone gets huffy, Mexico City is Central American).

MAdrid is my number two choice.

PS...WHY was London handed the 2012 games?? It'll be like, their third time hosting. No fair!

 

[RitaE]

No - it is Pres. Obama that is going, it was all over the Chicago news stations this morning.

The general buzz locally was that the White House wouldn't have scheduled for him personally to make the trip unless they had some inside information that Chicago would be awarded the bid. Before it was just going to be Michelle Obama present. I couldn't tell you how much of that is fact and how much of it is just general hope.

As far as public support, that's kind of up and down around here. Mayor Daley is 100% behind it though and that's the opinion that mostly counts.

 

[crashbb]

I am hoping for Rio seeing as how no South American country has ever hosted before. (Before anyone gets huffy, Mexico City is Central American).

Well, I wasn't huffy before.

Mexico City is North America (but it doesn't change your "no South American city" claim).



Apparently, we are supposed to want Chicago to win because it benefits Toronto's bid for the Pan Am Games a few years later (which is supposed to be good for Ontario).

 

[LukenDC]

Most of the buzz surrounds the Chicago and Rio bids. South America has never hosted the Games before, so that is definitely in Rio's favor. Rio, however, hosted the Pan Am Games two years ago and over-promised on several venues and infrastructure projects that were not completed in time. The IOC had a near miss with the 2004 Athens Games and the 2014 Sochi Winter Games are already giving the IOC heartburn, so they may be reluctant to take a chance on Rio. Another possible sticking point is security. The IOC assessment team did not express complete confidence in Brazil's ability to safeguard the Games.

I have my own reason for not wanting Rio to win. During the 2007 Pan Am Games, the Brazilian fans booed American competitors relentlessly. It was rude and certainly not comparable to the warm welcome that Brazilian athletes experienced at Olympic Games held in the US. There were some isolated incidences of ugly Americanism by members of the press and a junior USOC staffer, but that did not warrant the booing and harassment of the American team.

 

[Becky2005]

I am. I haven't decided if I like it or not for it to be in Chicago.

On the one hand it would be awesome to have it here & it would be a once in a lifetime event.

On the other -- umm...I live near here....I'm just forseeing logistics nightmares of normal daily life. Yes, that's being selfish on my part.

 

[SpecialK]

I'm in the Chgo burbs. On the one hand, I'd love for it to be here so my kids could experience it. On the other hand, I don't know if the financing will come through as predicted. Latest polling numbers I heard this morning showed 60% of Chicagoans against having the games here. I also wonder if all the shootings here lately will affect the decision.