2016 Olympics: Decision on Friday

[Caradana]

Not True! Opening: Carnival, Closing: Carnival. Done. End of Discussion.

Carnival in spirit, and color, and flair, yes!
But Carnival is natural, and impulsive, and organically unplanned. It's by the people, taking to the streets and joining parades. NOTHING about Olympic events is that way. They are going to need to try to evoke Carnival in ten-second scripted increments with two years' worth of choreography and coordinated instructions, for example, where section 452 knows to wave their ribbons at 1:32:05-15, timed against NBC's camera pan This kind of rigor is nothing like their culture. They are going to hit most of the same issues that Athens did. This is the Anti-Beijing. This will be FASCINATING.

 

[Doctor P]

How about a little cheese with your whine.

Nice sentiment. I have a heart felt commitment to fairness, consistency, and accountability. None of these are present in the Olympics or the IOC that runs them. I didn't realize how bad it had gotten until the last twenty four months or so. I hardly consider that sour grapes or a whine.

 

[crashbb]

Nice sentiment. I have a heart felt commitment to fairness, consistency, and accountability. None of these are present in the Olympics or the IOC that runs them. I didn't realize how bad it had gotten until the last twenty four months or so. I hardly consider that sour grapes or a whine.

Would you have had the same complaint if Chicago had been chosen?

Somehow (based on your first post), I doubt it.

 

[profdsny]

I'm glad Rio got it. As far as crime goes, I don't think Chicago is much safer than Rio and Madrid might have been a nightmare.

This clearly shows you know nothing about crime in Chicago. Or Rio for that matter.

 

[amg35]

I registered just to say this: (wanted to post on this thread also)

I am not sad that we didn't get the Olympics, I hope Rio has great success.

I am disheartened to read all the things said about Chicago.

From reading some comments, it seems people think that they would get off the plane and get shot in the head or something. Or Daley would scam their money right out of their wallets.

We're a great city!! Yes, we have crime. Find me a city that doesn't. Yes, we have a corrupt politics, find me a city that doesn't.

Transportation.... I've been taking the L for over 20 years. Maybe 3 times I've been late for work because of it. It may smell, there are some characters who ride it, and maybe it can be dirty. But you can take our transportation and get anywhere you want in this city in less than 30 minutes.

We have fantastic neighborhoods all over with hidden gems. So many cultures are represented here. So much good food! So many museums, so many parks, so many music venues, so many bars!

Of course there are bad parts of town, but that's something we should focus on to build up, not avoid.

The people are welcoming and personable. We'll talk your ear off about how much we like or dislike Daley.

It's hard to see the beat-down our city is taking right now in the world media and also here at home. Mostly from people who've never been here.

Hey, come visit! Someone will buy the drinks!

 

[profdsny]

I registered just to say this: (wanted to post on this thread also)

I am not sad that we didn't get the Olympics, I hope Rio has great success.

I am disheartened to read all the things said about Chicago.

From reading some comments, it seems people think that they would get off the plane and get shot in the head or something. Or Daley would scam their money right out of their wallets.

We're a great city!! Yes, we have crime. Find me a city that doesn't. Yes, we have a corrupt politics, find me a city that doesn't.

Transportation.... I've been taking the L for over 20 years. Maybe 3 times I've been late for work because of it. It may smell, there are some characters who ride it, and maybe it can be dirty. But you can take our transportation and get anywhere you want in this city in less than 30 minutes.

We have fantastic neighborhoods all over with hidden gems. So many cultures are represented here. So much good food! So many museums, so many parks, so many music venues, so many bars!

Of course there are bad parts of town, but that's something we should focus on to build up, not avoid.

The people are welcoming and personable. We'll talk your ear off about how much we like or dislike Daley.

It's hard to see the beat-down our city is taking right now in the world media and also here at home. Mostly from people who've never been here.

Hey, come visit! Someone will buy the drinks!

Just wanted to add that you won't find a cleaner city in the US, and one of the very first things visitors will tell you is how great it looks.
As for transportation, today I left the house at noon, in the City, traveled downtown by train, transfered to the CTA/El downtown to go to Wrigley, went to the game, stopped for one after to wash away the memory of the loss, and was back home at 5:15. And had a grand day out.

 

[amg35]

Just wanted to add that you won't find a cleaner city in the US, and one of the very first things visitors will tell you is how great it looks.
As for transportation, today I left the house at noon, in the City, traveled downtown by train, transfered to the CTA/El downtown to go to Wrigley, went to the game, stopped for one after to wash away the memory of the loss, and was back home at 5:15. And had a grand day out.

They changed all the planters downtown to the fall plants. Just beautiful. I took pictures while leaving work and sent them to my friend who moved to New York to show her! New York is great too, but had to rub it in.

I just hope we don't lose momentum now and still work to make our city even better.

 

[profdsny]

They changed all the planters downtown to the fall plants. Just beautiful. I took pictures while leaving work and sent them to my friend who moved to New York to show her! New York is great too, but had to rub it in.

I just hope we don't lose momentum now and still work to make our city even better.

Here Here! (or is it Hear! Hear! No one ever seems to know.) I'm glad you joined to post what you did. Thanks. At least two of us have a realistic view of the city.

 

[nd5056]

When I learned that Oprah & Obama went there, I new we wouldn’t get it no more.
IOC doesn’t like to be pressured or dictated on their actions.
If Chicago got it, imagine the next time they had to choose Olympic site, all those Presidents, Prime Ministers, Kings, Noble Prize winners, etc. flooding their meeting, hoping to make that IOC will lean a bit toward their country…

 

[manning]

From a logistical and transportation standpoint, Rio is going to make Athens look like the Jetsons. I can't wait to see, in 2013, when they realize "oh my *" and they ask the US for help with ... EVERYTHING. Security, supply chain, scheduling, accommodations, village, glitz, opening + closing ... this is the freshman team about to face the varsity powerhouse. This will not be easy.

I think things will be kind of quiet by then.

 

[manning]

I.

it seems people think that they would get off the plane and get shot in the head or something. !

I had to laugh to see this. Back in the 60's when visiting relatives in NC they wanted to know, thanks to "the Untouchables", if the machine gun shootings were as bad as they heard.

 

[amg35]

I had to laugh to see this. Back in the 60's when visiting relatives in NC they wanted to know, thanks to "the Untouchables", if the machine gun shootings were as bad as they heard.

sheesh, I haven't had to use my tommy gun in weeks, I'm worried it will get cobwebs.

 

[Uuaww]

does anyone know the world on the other topic they were voting on? If Golf and/or Rugby Sevens would be the new sports?

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

This clearly shows you know nothing about crime in Chicago. Or Rio for that matter.

Sorry...I meant for the Olympics, not as of today. Today, I'd feel safer by myself in Chicago (I've been to D.C. by myself and I would guess it's probably more dangerous in places than Chicago) than in Rio. Both cities would probably keep the Olympic events out of the more dangerous parts of their cities and find a way to upgrade their security (they do have seven years to work on it) during the Olympics. Like I said in my first post, Chicago is a city that I haven't had a chance to see any more of than its airports but that I would love to visit someday. I just don't think Rio is being given enough of a chance to show that it can make itself as safe and secure during the Olympics as Chicago could.

 

[declansdad]

Carnival in spirit, and color, and flair, yes!
But Carnival is natural, and impulsive, and organically unplanned. It's by the people, taking to the streets and joining parades. NOTHING about Olympic events is that way. They are going to need to try to evoke Carnival in ten-second scripted increments with two years' worth of choreography and coordinated instructions, for example, where section 452 knows to wave their ribbons at 1:32:05-15, timed against NBC's camera pan This kind of rigor is nothing like their culture. They are going to hit most of the same issues that Athens did. This is the Anti-Beijing. This will be FASCINATING.

They hosted a very successful PanAm games just two years ago. I think they know what they are doing.

 

[declansdad]

Would you have had the same complaint if Chicago had been chosen?

Somehow (based on your first post), I doubt it.

exactly, sour grapes.

 

[Doctor P]

Would you have had the same complaint if Chicago had been chosen?

Somehow (based on your first post), I doubt it.

I would not have even had the same complaint if Rio won and Chicago finished second. The IOC has been exposed for what it is and it is not a pretty picture. It's really sad that a bunch of corrupt individuals can ruin what should be one of the proudest events held.

 

[crashbb]

I would not have even had the same complaint if Rio won and Chicago finished second. The IOC has been exposed for what it is and it is not a pretty picture. It's really sad that a bunch of corrupt individuals can ruin what should be one of the proudest events held.

So, the IOC is only corrupt since Chicago places 4th rather than 2nd?

Seriously?

And you wonder why your whine sounds like sour grapes?

 

[bubie2.5]

Just wanted to add that you won't find a cleaner city in the US, and one of the very first things visitors will tell you is how great it looks.

That's true, it's a great place to visit. There's lots to see, and it's easy getting around, but I'm not sure the city could've handle the massive amount of tourists that an Olympics generates.

 

[LukenDC]

When I learned that Oprah & Obama went there, I new we wouldn’t get it no more.
IOC doesn’t like to be pressured or dictated on their actions.
If Chicago got it, imagine the next time they had to choose Olympic site, all those Presidents, Prime Ministers, Kings, Noble Prize winners, etc. flooding their meeting, hoping to make that IOC will lean a bit toward their country…

The heads of state from all four bid cities were present, not just Obama. London won the 2012 summer games after Prime Minister Tony Blair lobbied at the selction meeting and Sochi won the 2014 Winter Games after President Putin attended the selection meeting.