By Chris Magee
Night editor
I've never had any interest in the Olympics.
I enjoy sports, but I like sports like baseball, basketball and football. I can't all of a sudden pretend that I care about the marathon, biathlon and the other -ons. Every two years when everyone gets excited about the Olympics it's something I just can't relate to. Sure, when everyone was standing around the TV watching Michael Phelps, I watched too, but I don't think I've ever turned the TV on with the intention of watching the games.
Maybe that's why I'm not excited about Chicago's Olympics bid. The city on Friday released the details of its proposal, including an operations budget of $3.3 billion. The Chicago Olympic committee believes all of that money can be raised through advertising and sponsorship, but what if it doesn't come through? Someone has to pay for that still; you can't just call it off.
There is a certain prestige to having the Olympics in your hometown (for most people from out of state, Chicago and Illinois are synonymous), but I think of all the other things that go with it. Anyone who thinks millions of extra visitors would be great should drive on Rt. 59 or the interstate during rush hour to see how great more people is. The Olympics also bring with them fears of terrorism. What could be better for a potential terrorist than a chance to strike at a world event in the U.S. in the home city of what may still be the American president at the time?
The biggest benefit I can see coming from the games is that the city may be encouraged to make beneficial infrastructure upgrades to prepare for the games that will stick with us for long afterward. The popular book "Devil in the White City" recounts the story of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. One of the lasting benefits of the fair was the improvements to the city that came out of it, like the addition of electricity. Upgrading the highways and rail lines are one potential benefit we could see now.
When I was a kid and the Soviet Union was still around, the Olympics seemed more important. It was our chance to prove in a quantifiable way the benefits of free society over totalitarianism by beating the commies at wrestling or hockey. It's just not the same coming out on top against Uzbekistan.
Last but not least, the games are in 2016. It's 2009 right now. How can anyone get excited about something seven years away? Who knows what any of us will be doing then or even if we'll still live in the area?
What it comes down to is the Olympics just aren't my thing. How about you? Are you excited about the potential for a Chicago Olympics? What do you think of the plans?
Personally, I think it immoral of a Mayor runing a City with a deficit in the range of $500 million and thinks its police officers for example do not merit a labor contract is indefensible. And violating prior labor agreements among others, requiring two man cars in areas of the city that are so dangerous that they should be partrolled in squads of police. A city with one of the highest homicide rates in the nation should not focus its attention on winning an Olympic bid. (You should have listened to CPD Citywide 6 radio after the Taste of Chicago. One of the best: approx 2232hrs-"black male chasing white family west bound from State Street on Van Buren, any available unit". I bet they ran all the way back to Wheaton) Chicago, a city with one of the highest misery indexes according to a recent GQ magazine article. Sure, things are relatively fine downtown if you are lucky. But you move out into some of the neighborhoods adjacent to for example the proposed Olympic Village in the old Michael Reese neighborhood, forget about it. I'm not going. And it will not be the city residents forking out on average $50 a ticket to watch squash. It will only work if prople who have money go to the games. The police blog secondcitycop has it right. It will cost more than the City can afford and will be rife with corruption and crime.
I'm not a big Olympic fan either. Some people are, good for them. It just seems too expensive and I'm distrustfull of anything the city does. The park with the Bean for example. It was supposed to be $250 million and ended up at $450 million. While there will be some infrastructure improvements, I read many of the venues will be built as temporary structures to save costs. The city has already started jacking up fees for Olympic expenditures. Last year Auto Show parking, $10. This year, $17. Come on already. Plus with all building consumption, the traffic, people from all over the world coming here, accepting the carbon footprint from the event is simply out of the question. If we are going to be serious about saving our enviornment, things like the Olympics must be rethought don't you think?
The smart money is on Rio getting the nod for 2016.
Chicago simply has too many infrastructure problems and it is unrealistic to think that safety and security can be managed effectively across as wide a margin as is proposed for all of the different venues. Chicago will become a sitting duck target for every petty criminal and pickpocket within 1,500 miles to prey on all of the tourists.
Sure Daley wants the project so he can bleed it dry the old fashioned way. it will be interesting to hear what "Richard The Whiner" has to say the day he finds out the award goes somewhere else.
I liked to watch the Olympics when I was a kid. Now, I really don't care about them anymore. Like the Moderator said, the Olympics seemed more "important" back when we were more at odds with the Soviet Union. No, I don't want Chicago to host the Olympics. Chicago and Illinois cannot afford it.
Newsflash!
1)The Millenium Park did end up costing almost twice as much as budgeted ---- it is also almost three times the size of the original plans.
2)The crime in Rio makes Chicago seem like a theme park. Foir those who have not been there, it is a cesspool of crime. Murder there isn't even reported as it is so common. Having said that, I agree that the money right now seems to favor Rio, but that can easily change.
Personally, I think the Olympics should not be held in Chicago. Illinois had had a lot of problems and bad press lately and I think it should get itself together before we take on more responsibilities. It hasn't done well with the ones we already have. Why screw up more? I think Daley is just looking for opportunities to bleed more funding. Let's pass.
In keeping with the concensus of blogers so far, I too am not a fan of the Oympics. I suppose it is silly to hope that Daley recognizes that his taxing and fees are greatly stressing the budgets of all who live in or visit Chicago. This is a typical attitude of a democratic Illinois dictator.
I want to clarify that I think the Olympics are a great opportunity for the athletes to showcase their talents. I know they work extremely ,are very dedicated and focused. I don't mean to belittle their efforts or talents in any way. I just don't think Chicago is the right venue.
All I know is, if Chicago does hold the Olympics, I have plans with a few friends to heavily invest in a fleet of hot dog carts and other food/drink street vendor equipment. I attended the Olympics when they were held in Atlanta and I could not believe the absolute raping of the consumer which was completely tolerated. $8 hot dog? $5 bottle of water? Hope you felt like waiting in line or 20 minutes to get one!
Look on the bright side though, Chicago is going to have to do massive infrastructure upgrades to support the huge influx of people to the Olympics. The shoddy highways, aging CTA, and countless other things will need to be upgraded will benefit all Chicago area citizens for years to come... Not to mention the memories and photographs with your kids, going to the Olympics (and having them practically in your back yard) is probably once-in-a-lifetime event.
Either way, there's not much you can do about it! Once King Daley has his mind set on something nothing short of a massive heart attack will stop him. (And even then his son would probably take the throne and continue his father's legacy!)
Another problem is that Chicago's corruption has long hid behind a plodding, slow as molasses bureaucracy. There simply isn't enough time between now and 2016 to fix all of the infrastructure problems and other ills that define Chicago.
Personally I have grown weary of watching the billions of dollars being spent every four years, summer and winter, to prop up some decrepit city. Go to Barcelona and look at the competition facilities that sit in waste and ruin with little or no use since the flame was extinguished. Go to Beijing and the same thing is happening. They now think they have some kind of a plan to convert the stadium into some kind of shopping mall. Brilliant.
All of the clowns on the olympic committee seem more corrupt than a bus full of Illinois democratic politicians. Instead of this insane competition I would rather see a permanent Olympic facility be created. One that would be respected by athletes and visitors alike... kind of a mecca for athletic competition to serve as the pinnacle of an athletic career.
I'm getting a chuckle out of how crabby some of you old-dogs are getting... I for one would be excited. I understand why others have their concerns about finances, terrorism, etc, but you know what? For a few weeks every four years, I do turn on the TV with the intention of watching the games. In fact, this was probably my favorite games ever because of Tivo! I'm not even joking when I say I set my DVR to record every water polo and team handball game played from 4am-4pm on MSNBC, NBC Universal, et al. Some of those sports played more enthusiastically in Europe are an absolute blast! I'd love the chance to get to see the Olympics live. And Keyboard Rambo, why wait until 2016, and why go all the way downtown Chicago? While your vernacular may be a little crude, my wife and I have said a million times that we'd love to buy a hot dog cart and take advantage of all the hungry drunks stumbling around downtown Naperville at 1:00am on the weekends.
A grassroots organization has been raised. Have you heard of its existence?? Guess not! check out NOGAMESCHICAGO.COM , what do you see? Strength in numbers. Oh yea, you can send a message to mr. dorbin on a feature. If you sick and tired of chicago corruption costing you $$$$ then join up! nogameschicago2016.com,surf around with those words. if you want to!
The Bean Park did not cost twice as much because the plan expanded. It cost twice as much because of crooked dealings with City Hall and contractors. Watch for more later as FED continues the probe of City Hall. Remember, the City is under investigation AND the Governor. (And now poor Magnificent Rolando) There were one or more indicted because of under the table dealings with the Millenium Park project. Its not about being crabby. Its about trying to keep the hands of creepy politicians in Illinois out of our pockets. And Daley is as creepy of a politician as they come.
The website to join with others who are against the 2016 bid, nogameschicago.com. You will not find any mention of it in local papers!Did anyone read the Trib article about how the yacht clubs were told to hush up any complaints or else retribution would be the order of the day. NOGAMESCHICAGO.com check it out to save a few BILLION$$$$$$$$ or so. Mr Burris pls RESIGN NOW!
Just thinkin', you don't have to keep posting that web site. We got it the first time.
Since Rio is below the equator it would technically be winter not summer during the traditional time period when the summer Olympics are held. Hmmm, so would that make it the winter Olympics or would they move the date so that the games are actually played during the summer climate in Rio?
Anonymous, maybe holding the 'summer Olympics' in Rio during the winter would benefit at least the track and field portion of the games. It would force the runners to speed up their pace in order to gain distance from the pickpocketers.
Which neighborhoods will be leveled?
Where in the suburbs will the displaced govt. dependents be resettled?
Who will get the govt. subsidized contracts to "re-develop" Chicago?
Who will pay for the re-development?
Will there be enough new Democrats moved into the suburbs to tip the balance of power in Springfield and Dupage County to the Democrats?
Will suburban residents be picking up the bill for displaced Democrats, turning their local governments over the to Chicago Machine in the process?
Will Ritchie and BKO spend whatever it takes to make this happen and send the bill to people that actually pay taxes?
Will this turn into another taxpayer subsidized economic sink hole that benefits a few, assuming the money trail will exist when all is complete?
Given my zero confidence in the Chicago Machine including BKO, I would say let some other lucky country pick up the tab and I will watch it on my Japanese TV.
Bring back the gladiators vs. the christians and I'll come watch.
Nooooooo!!!!!
Chicago cannot afford this!
This city already has the HIGHEST sales tax in the nation of 10%. The State is increasing the income tax by 50%.
Just say no!
Billions of dollar for three weeks, I don't think so, there will be NO residual benefits from this fiasco except big heads in city hall; it is a waste of taxes when we have lousy schools, horrible roads, crappy weather, and corruption to beat the band...President Obama, I voted for you but NOT to promote this nightmare! Please stay in Washington during October! Let's all put fruit on our heads and go to Washington Park on April 2nd to promote Rio! Where is Carmen Miranda when you need her....or give it to Tokyo!
Greeting. What can you say about a society that says that God is dead and Elvis is alive?
I am from Botswana and learning to write in English, tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "What sadly, williamsburg woodley bunny are saying goodbye the clothier section of their store with a massive clearance sale.Flea killer that kills on contact to control flea and tick infestations in your home."
:-( Thanks in advance. Paulo.