Chicago 2016's Chances

kq76 · 10-02-2009, 11:19 AM

What do you think Chicago's chances of getting the 2016 Olympics are? The finalists are: Chicago, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Madrid. I can't help but feel that they should have the inside track, but you never what can happen down the stretch. Are you even for it?

I've been off and on grumbling about our Olympics for awhile now (mainly due to the costs and inconveniences), but I also can't help but feel proud that we'll very soon be hosting the world and showing off our area. I also think it's great that we've built all this infrastructure that should last a good long time. Sometimes cities can go decades without building stuff just because it's often so difficult to justify the expense and while one could very well argue that it isn't worth it, I think in the end it will be.

I'm crossing my fingers for you, Chicago.

I'm sure the other cities are great and deserving too, but there's always been something about Chicago that I've liked (Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, and mobster movies?

).

Tony M · 10-02-2009, 11:23 AM

I think it's time for the Olympics to have their third trip south of the Equator. The US hosted it in 1984 and 1996 - 2016 is too soon. Europe hosted it in 1992, 2004 and 2012. China hosted it in 2008 and Korea in 1988. Rio is the only city on the list that isn't in an area that's had it in the previous 30 years. It will also have hosted the final of the 2014 World Cup so there should already be infrastructure being built.

Chicago's hopes depend on whether it's doing a Sox or Cubs approach

CommishJoe · 10-02-2009, 11:27 AM

Rio deserves it much more than Chicago does.

kq76 · 10-02-2009, 11:33 AM

You have a very good point, they do like to space them out like that, don't they.

Well, I won't be disappointed if RDJ wins either because it's always been a place that I've said I'd love to go to. Somehow I have it in my head that it must be one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Tokyo, while I love Japan for their sushi, their art, their baseball, and many other things I'm sure, I hate crowds and while I don't plan on going to the 2016 Olympics wherever they are, I just don't like the idea of crowds.

And Madrid, well, about the only thing I know about it is that it is smack in the middle of Spain, nowhere near the ocean and I love water so it's out too.

Although, like Brazil, I've always wanted to go to Spain.

Dargone · 10-02-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommishJoe

Rio deserves it much more than Chicago does.

Yeah, even though I would love it in the states obviously...

Jason · 10-02-2009, 12:32 PM

Out in the first round after being a "favorite." Something tells me that was more politically motivated than necessarily about the viability of each location.

dsvitak · 10-02-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autism Speaks

Out in the first round after being a "favorite." Something tells me that was more politically motivated than necessarily about the viability of each location.

I haven't read all of the posts in this thread...but I do know that South America has NEVER held the Olympics. Time for Brazil to step up.

It is my considered belief that BRAZIL will be the next superpower, for a variety of excellent reasons. Sugar cane as an ethanol producer is 2 or 3 times more efficient than corn, and they have discovered massive oil fields just off their coast. Both of these factors mean energy independence for the Brazilians, and will go a long way towards their modernization.

eriqjaffe · 10-02-2009, 01:36 PM

Chicago would have won the election if the election were held in Chicago.

Tony M · 10-02-2009, 02:08 PM

It's the city on the January River that gets it.

At least it will be an understated Olympics as the Riovians never go in for anything flamboyant

phightin · 10-02-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autism Speaks

Out in the first round after being a "favorite." Something tells me that was more politically motivated than necessarily about the viability of each location.

I think there's still a ton of anti-american sentiment throughout europe and much of the world, and it does sometimes play itself out in these types of ways. Not that I'm saying Chicago deserved it more than Rio, but after all the hype to be out in the first round was probably just to rub it in more than anything else. This piles on the IOC recent decisions to get rid of baseball and softball and fifa's bias against america (they'r 100x worse than the IOC IMO) etc. Not going to argue whether it's justified or not, but it does certainly exist.

LFC1892 · 10-03-2009, 11:20 AM

Maybe the IOC doesnt like Oprah?

mrskippy · 10-03-2009, 12:36 PM

IMHO, Chicago was not a good choice for the USOC. I still favor San Francisco (and the surrounding Bay Area) as a future Olympic city. It has more international flare and I believe the IOC would be much more open to voting for it over a number of other American cities.

I do not necessarily believe that it was all about anti-American sentiment. I think Obama might have hurt the American bid more than helped it. The USOC probably would have been better off keeping Obama out of the picture, but that is just my opinion on the matter.

That said, I wanted to see the United States have another round with games, but I also believe it was time for South America to have a shot at hosting the games. I also believe it is time that Africa have a chance to host the games too. Africa's chances really depend on the handling of the 2010 World Cup. Any number of African nations could host -- Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, or South Africa.

As for Rio's bid, from what I am reading, they already are behind on building venue for the 2014 World Cup. Much of the planned infrastructure has not even left the planning stages and is otherwise held up in the political process. If it is as bad as what I have read, the IOC might very well need to pull the plug on Rio rather quickly and go back to either one of the other cities or revisit a city ready to host the games on a moment's notice. It all sounds like the Rio preparations might very well end up like Athens -- with work taking place until the very last minute and things looking quite shaky until the end.

Chicago's 2016 loss does help the chances for the oft-discussed Reno-Tahoe or Denver Winter Olympic bids. I doubt they will go for 2018, but 2022 seems possible. I think that all would depend on whether or not the USOC decides it wants a Summer Olympics before taking its turn in the Winter Olympics rotation. In other words, the USOC might decide to make a run at 2020. Besides Chicago, what American cities should make a bid attempt?

As I said, I think San Francisco would be a fine Olympic host, as would San Diego. FWIW, California's climate really fits in with the Olympic needs. New York would be a great host, for obvious reasons. Washington is one of those tricky ones, because I just do not see the United States attempting to put forward a bid there, for logistical reasons.

Winter Games wise -- Seattle would be great, but too soon since Vancouver. Reno-Tahoe has not had an Olympics in a long time. Denver is an obvious choice, but would have to overcome the previous negative sentiment. And, of course, Lake Placid always is a stand out choice. You pretty much are limited to the Pacific Northwest (Cascades), Denver/Salt Lake (the Rockies), Reno-Tahoe (Sierras), or Lake Placid. Sure, you could hit Appalachia/Smokey Mountains, but that might be one of the trickiest bids to pull off.

10-02-2009, 11:19 AM	#1
kq76 Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 11,831	Chicago 2016's Chances What do you think Chicago's chances of getting the 2016 Olympics are? The finalists are: Chicago, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Madrid. I can't help but feel that they should have the inside track, but you never what can happen down the stretch. Are you even for it? I've been off and on grumbling about our Olympics for awhile now (mainly due to the costs and inconveniences), but I also can't help but feel proud that we'll very soon be hosting the world and showing off our area. I also think it's great that we've built all this infrastructure that should last a good long time. Sometimes cities can go decades without building stuff just because it's often so difficult to justify the expense and while one could very well argue that it isn't worth it, I think in the end it will be. I'm crossing my fingers for you, Chicago. I'm sure the other cities are great and deserving too, but there's always been something about Chicago that I've liked (Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, and mobster movies? ). __________________ My OOTP Wishlist \| My FAQ List OOTP Wiki \| Your Recommended Team Nicknames, By City (A Crowdsourced Project) For Beta/Devs: Full screen (1920x1080)

10-02-2009, 11:23 AM	#2
Tony M Global Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Here Posts: 6,156	I think it's time for the Olympics to have their third trip south of the Equator. The US hosted it in 1984 and 1996 - 2016 is too soon. Europe hosted it in 1992, 2004 and 2012. China hosted it in 2008 and Korea in 1988. Rio is the only city on the list that isn't in an area that's had it in the previous 30 years. It will also have hosted the final of the 2014 World Cup so there should already be infrastructure being built. Chicago's hopes depend on whether it's doing a Sox or Cubs approach __________________ This signature is intentionally blank

10-02-2009, 11:27 AM	#3
CommishJoe Global Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,238	Rio deserves it much more than Chicago does. __________________ Joe Success isn’t owned. It’s leased. And rent is due every day.

10-02-2009, 11:33 AM	#4
kq76 Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 11,831	You have a very good point, they do like to space them out like that, don't they. Well, I won't be disappointed if RDJ wins either because it's always been a place that I've said I'd love to go to. Somehow I have it in my head that it must be one of the most beautiful places on earth. Tokyo, while I love Japan for their sushi, their art, their baseball, and many other things I'm sure, I hate crowds and while I don't plan on going to the 2016 Olympics wherever they are, I just don't like the idea of crowds. And Madrid, well, about the only thing I know about it is that it is smack in the middle of Spain, nowhere near the ocean and I love water so it's out too. Although, like Brazil, I've always wanted to go to Spain. __________________ My OOTP Wishlist \| My FAQ List OOTP Wiki \| Your Recommended Team Nicknames, By City (A Crowdsourced Project) For Beta/Devs: Full screen (1920x1080)

10-02-2009, 01:36 PM	#8
eriqjaffe Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Under The Christmas Fish Posts: 7,697	Chicago would have won the election if the election were held in Chicago. __________________

10-02-2009, 12:32 PM	#6
Jason Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 3,847	Out in the first round after being a "favorite." Something tells me that was more politically motivated than necessarily about the viability of each location.

10-02-2009, 02:08 PM	#9
Tony M Global Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Here Posts: 6,156	It's the city on the January River that gets it. At least it will be an understated Olympics as the Riovians never go in for anything flamboyant __________________ This signature is intentionally blank

10-03-2009, 11:20 AM	#11
LFC1892 All Star Reserve Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Global Posts: 963	Maybe the IOC doesnt like Oprah?

10-03-2009, 12:36 PM	#12
mrskippy All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,011	IMHO, Chicago was not a good choice for the USOC. I still favor San Francisco (and the surrounding Bay Area) as a future Olympic city. It has more international flare and I believe the IOC would be much more open to voting for it over a number of other American cities. I do not necessarily believe that it was all about anti-American sentiment. I think Obama might have hurt the American bid more than helped it. The USOC probably would have been better off keeping Obama out of the picture, but that is just my opinion on the matter. That said, I wanted to see the United States have another round with games, but I also believe it was time for South America to have a shot at hosting the games. I also believe it is time that Africa have a chance to host the games too. Africa's chances really depend on the handling of the 2010 World Cup. Any number of African nations could host -- Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, or South Africa. As for Rio's bid, from what I am reading, they already are behind on building venue for the 2014 World Cup. Much of the planned infrastructure has not even left the planning stages and is otherwise held up in the political process. If it is as bad as what I have read, the IOC might very well need to pull the plug on Rio rather quickly and go back to either one of the other cities or revisit a city ready to host the games on a moment's notice. It all sounds like the Rio preparations might very well end up like Athens -- with work taking place until the very last minute and things looking quite shaky until the end. Chicago's 2016 loss does help the chances for the oft-discussed Reno-Tahoe or Denver Winter Olympic bids. I doubt they will go for 2018, but 2022 seems possible. I think that all would depend on whether or not the USOC decides it wants a Summer Olympics before taking its turn in the Winter Olympics rotation. In other words, the USOC might decide to make a run at 2020. Besides Chicago, what American cities should make a bid attempt? As I said, I think San Francisco would be a fine Olympic host, as would San Diego. FWIW, California's climate really fits in with the Olympic needs. New York would be a great host, for obvious reasons. Washington is one of those tricky ones, because I just do not see the United States attempting to put forward a bid there, for logistical reasons. Winter Games wise -- Seattle would be great, but too soon since Vancouver. Reno-Tahoe has not had an Olympics in a long time. Denver is an obvious choice, but would have to overcome the previous negative sentiment. And, of course, Lake Placid always is a stand out choice. You pretty much are limited to the Pacific Northwest (Cascades), Denver/Salt Lake (the Rockies), Reno-Tahoe (Sierras), or Lake Placid. Sure, you could hit Appalachia/Smokey Mountains, but that might be one of the trickiest bids to pull off.