Chicago 2016 vs, Rio 2016 Olympics

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Was anyone surprised that Chicago was knocked out of the running? Not just knocked out but was the first location eliminated.

Were you going to attend the Olympics in 2016 if they were in Chicago? Will you consider going to Rio?
As a family we had hoped to go to Chicago for the games, now that it's Brazil it's no longer a desire for the family.

 

[amg35]

I registered just to say this:

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!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I registered just to say this:

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!

I agree, it's a wonderful city!

I remember growing up in NJ close to NYC, people were terrified about walking a street in NYC fearing rape, mugging & murder.. I am happy to report some of the best years of my life were spent living on the edge of Central Park in NYC & it's become one of the safest major cities in the world. Hang in there

Hope you stick around

 

[profdsny]

Thank you for that. I'm sick to death of all these people who know nothing about Chicago going on about supposed corruption, or crime, or the gods know what else. It's pathetic. There are areas in Chicago that are as safe, or safer than any place in America. And that's in the city, not just the suburbs. If you don't think so, check the home prices in areas. Yeah, there are bad areas, just as there are in any city in the world, including London which is hosting them in 2012. And Chicago's traffic is a fraction of London's.
As far as crime, well, check the stats on Rio then lets talk.

Just today on the el coming back from Cubs park I met a couple from England on their first visit here. They couldn't believe how nice it was and couldn't wait to tell people about it.

And to think that some people are happy that Chicago, and the US, lost because of our president. Shame on them.

It's a loss for America, not just Chicago.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I am sad because I would have seriously considered going to Chicago for the games. I was in Sydney, Australia in 2000 for the Summer Games and I loved it! There is nothing like the Olympic experience.

I'm sad, but I won't make the trip all of the way to Rio for the games - I'll just watch them on TV.

 

[golfgal]

Chicago looks like a small town farming community compared to the crime and corruption in RIO. Rio has major problems, I am REALLY surprised it was picked.

 

[WoodysRoundup]

I am one who is happy Chicago did not get the games. I live in the city itself (was born here too). I have witnessed (first hand) the ups and downs of this great city my entire life. Chicago is a very livable city...so much to offer. Chicagoans are great people in my biased opinion! Factually speaking, we do have crime but what big city doesn't? I do think people who say we have too much crime have incorrect information about that reality. To me it's like the people who live in the suburbs who rarely go downtown and think it's so scary and unsafe. To the poster who said "supposed corruption", I will say that FACTUALLY there is alot of corruption in Chicago politics. I realize many cities have corruption and we've gotten alot of press about it, but it exists big time. I think part of the reason we didn't get the bid is b/c Chicago could not show that we are a fiscally responsible city.

 

[Lionqueen2]

I don't have anything against Chicago, but did not think that they would win the Olympics. I think the argument that Rio had about South America never having the Olympics was a strong one and hard for the IOC to ignore.

 

[sandramaac]

Having visited Rio a few years back, I can tell you it is one dicey place to be. Crime in very high, as is gang violence. It is NOT a family oriented city, but rather very adult oriented place to be. There are a large cross-dressing prostitution element in the city, where men come to visit. The beaches allow topless sunbathing, and the nightlife is full of adult clubs. From our hotel balcony we had this beautiful beach view, and one we turned around we faced a slum. I will try to post the two photo's, it was just mind boggling.

 

[LukenDC]

I am not surprised that Chicago did not get the Games since nothing was guaranteed and it was an extremely competitive field. I was shocked that Chicago was eliminated first.

I would definitely have gone to Chicago for the Olympics and I even flirted with the idea of moving there if they had won the Games. I wish Rio the very best with its Olympic preparations and will consider attending.

 

[shortbun]

I've been to Rio. Most of it is a slum. I don't get it but perhaps the IOC thought they'd be doing the Brazilian economy a favor. When I was in Rio, it wasn't safe to go on the street at night and I'm not a sissy.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I would always consider attending the games in the US if it is feasible for me economically.

However-it isn't up to the IOC to choose locations basedon how many US residents will attend. The Olympics are a world stage and now many South American residents, in particular Brazilians will have the opportunity and that is just fine by me.

There are several places in the world I would like to visit. Admittedly, Brazil isn't on the list.

The last Olympics I attended was in 1984 and that is b/c my dad and step-mom foot the bill and it didn't cost me a dime. We went to a number of events--can't say I'm a crowds person. It still was exciting though. My favorite event was the syncrhonized swimming. Least favorite was Equestrian only b/c the air quality was bad that day. My dad had asthma and had to leave the stands and go inside and though i didn't have asthma, it was still difficult on that day.

I'm sure Rio will clean up nicely for the games.

 

[Kirby]

I don't have anything against Chicago, but did not think that they would win the Olympics. I think the argument that Rio had about South America never having the Olympics was a strong one and hard for the IOC to ignore.

Agree. I've been to both Chicago and New York, think that they would make wonderful locals for the Olympics but it's just not their time yet.

 

[Shelton123]

Tokyo was also being considered, which I would've liked. They could've created something so high tech and interesting!

Rio was my second choice, so I'm pretty glad they got it!

 

[Nik's Mom]

I would have definitely gone to Chicago for the Olympics. We visited Chicago over this past summer and found it to be a great place to visit. Like any other city, it has it's crime problem. We are originally from Los Angeles, so we are no strangers to crime.

Hopefully, Chicago will get another chance in a future Olympics. It is a great town to visit!

I'm happy for Rio though. I'm sure it will do a great job in 2016.

We lived right in the center of the 1984 Olympics. I grew up close to the Coliseum and was able to watch the fireworks from the Olympics from my bedroom window. We lived in a really bad area and the Olympics really cleaned up the neighborhood. There was no crime in the area for those 2 weeks.

 

[Aisling]

Honestly, I'll be more excited to go to Rio than Chicago if I go to the Olympics.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Were you going to attend the Olympics in 2016 if they were in Chicago? Will you consider going to Rio?
As a family we had hoped to go to Chicago for the games, now that it's Brazil it's no longer a desire for the family.

Definitely! We live in Milwaukee so Chicago would not be too far for us at all. Now that it is in Brazil I have no desire to go either.

We'd love to be able to go to London for the 2012 Olympics. Has anybody ever gone to the Olympics before and if you have how do you go about making plans? Sorry, that's probably off-topic but I'm curious...