2016 Olympics - Awarded to Rio de Janeiro

[RugbyBuck]

I wasn't saying that Chicago is doing anything the others aren't and they obviously figure it's worth a shot, but it's expensive to even get in the running and I think the cards are stacked against another US games anytime soon.

[bkochmc]

Originally Posted by RugbyBuck

I wasn't saying that Chicago is doing anything the others aren't and they obviously figure it's worth a shot, but it's expensive to even get in the running and I think the cards are stacked against another US games anytime soon.

While I agree with your sentiment I think this is actually a pretty good chance for Chicago for these reasons:

• The US hasn't hosted since 1996 (the US usually goes 20 years between summer hosts)
• It is a different US city. If LA got the bid they would have been shot down pretty quick as they have hosted 2 prior Olympics.
• Tokyo, seen as one of the front-runners, may slide down the list due to Beijing hosting 2008 (IOC is not fond of having the Olympics in the same area close together)
• Rio, another major challenger, would have to put more massive amounts of money into the Olympics than what Chicago will put in (from what I've read they don't have the infrastructure and venues that other bid cities do)
• Copoenhagen, Denmark will not receive the bid since 2012 is in London

IMO, the only real threat would be Toronto (if they decide to bid) as Canada has not had the Summer Games since Montreal in 1976.

[kinch]

Originally Posted by RugbyBuck

I wasn't saying that Chicago is doing anything the others aren't and they obviously figure it's worth a shot, but it's expensive to even get in the running and I think the cards are stacked against another US games anytime soon.

Many in New York thought that the bid for the 2012 Olympics was not really made because of a belief that NYC would get the bid, but rather as a means to push certain public projects through in the city.

[RugbyBuck]

Originally Posted by kinch

Many in New York thought that the bid for the 2012 Olympics was not really made because of a belief that NYC would get the bid, but rather as a means to push certain public projects through in the city.

That's what it turned out to be for the ATL. I'm all for Chicago getting it, it's a better venue than Atlanta, in my opinion. It really needs to be in Columbus, though.

[bkochmc]

Originally Posted by RugbyBuck

That's what it turned out to be for the ATL. I'm all for Chicago getting it, it's a better venue than Atlanta, in my opinion. It really needs to be in Columbus, though.

Interesting you mention Columbus... a couple of years ago I heard of a possible tri-city bid: Columbus, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis (Indy being the flagship). New venues would have been built at each city and a high-speed train would have been built for quick, cheap transit between the three. But we see how far that bid got.

[RugbyBuck]

I think you'd have to do the three Ohio cities because you'd need the lake for the water sports. Well, that and Indy sucks.

[bkochmc]

The 2016 Olympics Are Chicago's as Long as "They Don't Muck It Up" Feature Story

The 2016 Olympics Are Chicago's as Long as "They Don't Muck It Up"
26-Aug-2008
Written by: E. Van Dril

Big news in the Chicago Tribune today.

As the 2008 Olympics in Beijing came to a close Sunday night, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley returned to his city, and it has become clear, at least according to a Chicago Tribune report, that the 2016 Olympics are Chicago's to lose.

"Chicago has emerged as the frontrunner in the race for the 2016 Olympics, some insiders say, noting that the Windy City delegation's low-key, deferential approach is playing well among international sports leaders gathered here for the Summer Olympics," the Tribune wrote in Tuesday's paper.

"It's Chicago's to lose," said one member of the International Olympic Committee. "If they don't muck it up, they should win."

Being to Chicago on numerous occasions, I personally think this would be a great idea for the city. There are many beautiful locations along the lake where the Olympic village would reportedly be, and it really would be a great event.

I think it comes down to either Chicago or Rio de Janiero mainly because the IOC likes to move the Games to different parts of the world as much as possible. Tokyo won't get it because Beijing just hosted and Madrid won't because London will have just hosted 2012.

[redbenn]

Originally Posted by bkochmc

The 2016 Olympics Are Chicago?s as Long as ?They Don?t Muck It Up? Feature Story

i wouldn't recommend it. having lived in chicago for over a year now, i don't think this city is fit for the olympics.

the city could barely handle the 2million people at fireworks for july 4, 2007 when the L's broke down...

there would need to be major improvements to the transportation infrastructure, or it will be a [censored] show.

[Bucklion]

Originally Posted by redbenn

i wouldn't recommend it. having lived in chicago for over a year now, i don't think this city is fit for the olympics.

the city could barely handle the 2million people at fireworks for july 4, 2007 when the L's broke down...

there would need to be major improvements to the transportation infrastructure, or it will be a [censored] show.

No f-ing crap on that...I just moved out of there after 5 years, and I can say it is an epic transportative disaster. There's too many poeple as it is, for the roads, restaurants, airports, everything, and that was well North of the city where I lived. Wow, that's gonna be a nightmare for the locals.

[JCOSU86]

Originally Posted by Story on Chicago's bid

The only problem is that it's extraordinarily hot in Chicago in August (we're talking upper 90s), so it might be tough for some athletes to compete in that type of weather.

Huh? The average high in Chicago in August is 83 (Link). This ain't Orlando.

[Oh8ch]

i wouldn't recommend it. having lived in chicago for over a year now, i don't think this city is fit for the olympics.

Spent this past weekend in Chicago. (Saw the Bears, Cubs and Sox.) Can't conceive where they would put the needed venues or how you would move between them. But most importantly, how would you begin to enforce security?

[chance]

Originally Posted by Oh8ch

Can't conceive where they would put the needed venues or how you would move between them. But most importantly, how would you begin to enforce security?

I found this article today about St. Louis and Indy submitting bids to hold events. They are talking more about prelim soccer matches but I agree where would you put the venues. So it might be more of a Midwest Olympics rather than just Chicago.

Olympic events in Indy? | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

Edit: Found another article talking more about Chicago locations. Plans include a 95,000 temporary stadium. That seems like a huge waste
http://chronicle.uchicago.edu/061005/olympics.shtml

[bkochmc]

Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid Site

Venue Plan - It appears they will build 5 permanent structures (including an 80,000 seat Olympic Stadium) and approximately 10 temporary structures

Applicant Plan - Includes where venues would be built and transportation plans among other things

[chance]

Originally Posted by bkochmc

Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid Site

Venue Plan - It appears they will build 5 permanent structures (including an 80,000 seat Olympic Stadium) and approximately 10 temporary structures

Applicant Plan - Includes where venues would be built and transportation plans among other things

Doh...I guess I should of checked the date on the second link I posted. Didn't realize it was from 2006.

[JohnnyCockfight]

Originally Posted by Oh8ch

Spent this past weekend in Chicago. (Saw the Bears, Cubs and Sox.) Can't conceive where they would put the needed venues or how you would move between them. But most importantly, how would you begin to enforce security?

From what I've heard, Chicago has proposed to build a new Olympic Stadium in south Chicago near the University of Chicago, and where the famous world fair was held over a hundred years ago. Couple that primary new stadium with the additional facilities that any city would build upon winning its bid, the several sporting arenas already in place, as well as the local colleges, and I think Chicago is as good a venue city as any.

Perhaps some of the Chicago natives can weigh in. I'll send out a Batman beacon signal for ORD Buckeye: Bowling Green, Miami, and Ohio U. are by far better universities than Ohio State.