Olympic Bid for Chicago

[LtVanish]

One Week away Oct. 2nd and we will know where the 2016 Oympics are going to be held. I really hope Chicago does NOT win this. I do not want to hear all the hoopla for the next 7 years for one. Chicago can not afford it. Mayor Daley will impose all kinds of "hidden" fees on everything to try and pay for it. Security standpoint not a good idea. Thoughts?

I think Rio De Janeiro is going to win the bid, because there has never been an Olympics in South America ever.

[fightingilliniJRNY]

Chicago has a solid chance. Rio De Janeiro might not win because Brazil is hosting the World Cup in 2014. Two major events in such a short span might be too much to handle. There hasn't been a summer Olympics in the U.S. since 1996, so they might want to bring it back in 2016. Plus, I'm pretty sure most of the venues they would be using in Chicago have already been built or would just need some minor changes.

Tokyo gets its chances hurt based on the fact that Beijing just had the 2008 summer Olympics. I think it's down to Chicago and Madrid.

[Tito]

I hope Chicago doesn't get it either. For the reasons described above.

[Behshad]

I hope Chicago doesn't get it either. For the reasons described above.

Well as usual youre wrong!
The amount of business the visitors would bring to the city would really help Chicago out A LOT...
Try to think like Frigga&Fro I dont think a $200.000.000 profit would hurt the city , do you !?:)

[Rhiannon]

I hope we DO get it. Because that would just be cool. I highly highly HIGHLY doubt I'll stick around as a resident until 2016, so Daly can have at it. Of course, they did send Oprah to represent Chicago in Copenhagen. WTF. Anybody who doesn't get why it'd be awesome to have the Olympics back in the US probably was never on a team or understands school spirit... erm, country spirit...

[AlteredDNA]

http://chicagoist.com/2009/07/31/is_chi ... olympi.php

Is Chicago Ready to Host the Olympics?

That's the persistent question as the date for selecting the city that will host the 2016 Summer Games draws near. Bid backers in Chicago contend that the Games will bring jobs, an economic boost and international prestige to the city, all at little or no cost to taxpayers. Chicago 2016 has also claimed that support from the private sector coupled with world class management will ensure that Chicago will benefit from hosting the games. Within that debate, however, supporters haven't pointed to a city that has benefited from hosting the games. Montreal didn't finish paying off the billions of dollars of debt it had incurred in 1976 until 2006. More recently Greece teetered on the edge of failing to host the Olympics in 2004 when the government failed to complete construction on time. London is already billions of dollars over budget.

Looking ahead to next year, Vancouver, which will be hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics may shed light on what could lie ahead for Chicago. The Western Canadian city is looking to cover some financial shortfalls as the winter games draw near. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is reporting that Vancouver is looking to cover a $12 million shortfall in advertising by inviting U.S. states to become Olympic sponsors. "Many of the states we've approached are very interested and it gives them limited rights to affiliate themselves as partners for the Games," said Dave Guscott, the vice-president of partnerships for VANOC, the Vancouver Olympic committee. "Most are interested in ways they can advance their destination for tourism, for economic development and their interest in sport." Aside from a shortfall in advertising revenue, VANOC has also asked local businesses to temporarily loan workers to the committee to cover a budget shortfall. While such a request isn't novel, VANOC admits that their request for 1,500 short-term workers, to act as drug testers, snow shovelers and managers, is larger than previous plans. "While the final value and number of loaned employees will not be known for several months, the program will result in significant savings to VANOC's operational budget," the Vancouver Organizing Committee told the CBC. "While the final value and number of loaned employees will not be known for several months, the program will result in significant savings to VANOC's operational budget," the Vancouver Organizing Committee said.

[AlteredDNA]

I hope we DO get it. Because that would just be cool. I highly highly HIGHLY doubt I'll stick around as a resident until 2016, so Daly can have at it. Of course, they did send Oprah to represent Chicago in Copenhagen. WTF. Anybody who doesn't get why it'd be awesome to have the Olympics back in the US probably was never on a team or understands school spirit... erm, country spirit...

Agree 100%...

[Tito]

I hope Chicago doesn't get it either. For the reasons described above.

Well as usual youre wrong!
The amount of business the visitors would bring to the city would really help Chicago out A LOT...
Try to think like Frigga&Fro I dont think a $200.000.000 profit would hurt the city , do you !?:)

They'll lose money. Maybe a few insiders will make money but the everyone else will get screwed.

[Tito]

I hope we DO get it. Because that would just be cool. I highly highly HIGHLY doubt I'll stick around as a resident until 2016, so Daly can have at it. Of course, they did send Oprah to represent Chicago in Copenhagen. WTF. Anybody who doesn't get why it'd be awesome to have the Olympics back in the US probably was never on a team or understands school spirit... erm, country spirit...

I have country spirit, that is why I don't want it. I don't want to be saddled with MORE debt because of Daley's shit plans.

[bluejeangirl76]

I hope we DO get it. Because that would just be cool. I highly highly HIGHLY doubt I'll stick around as a resident until 2016, so Daly can have at it. Of course, they did send Oprah to represent Chicago in Copenhagen. WTF. Anybody who doesn't get why it'd be awesome to have the Olympics back in the US probably was never on a team or understands school spirit... erm, country spirit...

I have country spirit, that is why I don't want it. I don't want to be saddled with MORE debt because of Daley's shit plans.

I can't stand that I'm about to agree (slighty) with Tito, but...

Overall I think it could be great for Chicago financially.
And I work in an industry that NEEDS this BAD. Real bad.
Travel & Tourism is way down and has been hit so hard by the enconomic bullshittery of late.

But at the same time I don't trust Daly not to screw this up (and screw US), financially, with his juggling of nickels and whatnot.

[Behshad]

I hope Chicago doesn't get it either. For the reasons described above.

Well as usual youre wrong!
The amount of business the visitors would bring to the city would really help Chicago out A LOT...
Try to think like Frigga&Fro I dont think a $200.000.000 profit would hurt the city , do you !?:)

They'll lose money. Maybe a few insiders will make money but the everyone else will get screwed.

how do you figure??? ,,, even if Daly tries to scam bunch of money to himself and his buddies, all the local shops, restaurants etc will see a remendous increase of business, when they most need it.... You dont seem to understand how European and Japanese in general love to spend money at events like this.... specially when things seem so much cheaper to them here than their own country.... Salt Lake city is a perfect example of how much the whole city benefited from this... they turned a 4 lane highway around the city into a 6 and some parts 8 lane, all the costs were covered from the money the tourists brought in..... and add to that the whole team and fight for your nation spirit, you have the formula for one successful even where its a win win situation for everyone, aside from those whose team sucks ass at the sports

[Rhiannon]

I hope we DO get it. Because that would just be cool. I highly highly HIGHLY doubt I'll stick around as a resident until 2016, so Daly can have at it. Of course, they did send Oprah to represent Chicago in Copenhagen. WTF. Anybody who doesn't get why it'd be awesome to have the Olympics back in the US probably was never on a team or understands school spirit... erm, country spirit...

I have country spirit, that is why I don't want it. I don't want to be saddled with MORE debt because of Daley's shit plans.

I can't stand that I'm about to agree (slighty) with Tito, but...

Overall I think it could be great for Chicago financially.
And I work in an industry that NEEDS this BAD. Real bad.
Travel & Tourism is way down and has been hit so hard by the enconomic bullshittery of late.

But at the same time I don't trust Daly not to screw this up (and screw US), financially, with his juggling of nickels and whatnot.

You'll both get over it if so. Do you realize if we get the bid, they'll HAVE to keep the roads in great shape? Shouldn't that be reason enough by itself? Every town is weary of the financial burden. I remember 96 and Atlanta. I know a lot of people who were living there then. Same thing, they didn't trust the city not to thwart them into tax oblivion. The way I see it, Cook County's taxes are already so high... I'm really not going to notice another few cents tacked on to the dollar.

What matters is that it will force the city to make some much needed improvements. AAANND, it's home field advantage for Team USA.

[LtVanish]

The only ones that will be making money is Daley and his Union Cronies. All the contracts will be rewarded to the ones lining all the local city politicians. That is the way it is done in Chicago.

[bluejeangirl76]

I hope we DO get it. Because that would just be cool. I highly highly HIGHLY doubt I'll stick around as a resident until 2016, so Daly can have at it. Of course, they did send Oprah to represent Chicago in Copenhagen. WTF. Anybody who doesn't get why it'd be awesome to have the Olympics back in the US probably was never on a team or understands school spirit... erm, country spirit...

I have country spirit, that is why I don't want it. I don't want to be saddled with MORE debt because of Daley's shit plans.

I can't stand that I'm about to agree (slighty) with Tito, but...

Overall I think it could be great for Chicago financially.
And I work in an industry that NEEDS this BAD. Real bad.
Travel & Tourism is way down and has been hit so hard by the enconomic bullshittery of late.

But at the same time I don't trust Daly not to screw this up (and screw US), financially, with his juggling of nickels and whatnot.

You'll both get over it if so. Do you realize if we get the bid, they'll HAVE to keep the roads in great shape? Shouldn't that be reason enough by itself? Every town is weary of the financial burden. I remember 96 and Atlanta. I know a lot of people who were living there then. Same thing, they didn't trust the city not to thwart them into tax oblivion. The way I see it, Cook County's taxes are already so high... I'm really not going to notice another few cents tacked on to the dollar.

What matters is that it will force the city to make some much needed improvements. AAANND, it's home field advantage for Team USA.

Right but it isn't just taxes. I fully expect to see service charges added all over the place to fund this thing too.

This will affect everything... CTA fares have become horrendous enough and personnel has been cut... if 2016 comes here, they will have to add all that personnel back, and how will they afford that? Jack up the fares even more. That's what kills me... they were broke so they jacked up fares and cut jobs... so the only way to afford to bring all those jobs back... raise the fares again.... it's a no win.

Parking costs, road work/upkeep, gas, food, anything they can raise just becuase there will be need/demand...

As I said... it isn't necessarily going to be a disaster, but it's going to affect everything and if it's mismanaged, as things tend to be within Illinois, it isn't necessarily going to make a lot of money either. After Governor Blago and his self-indulging half-million dollar toll plaza signs and Mayor Ricky and the Great Parking Meter Operation, it's easy to see why Chicagoans might be wary of something like this.

But again, it will still be great for the hospitality, retail and restaurant industries, especially downtown.

[Rhiannon]

Right but it isn't just taxes. I fully expect to see service charges added all over the place to fund this thing too.

This will affect everything... CTA fares have become horrendous enough and personnel has been cut... if 2016 comes here, they will have to add all that personnel back, and how will they afford that? Jack up the fares even more. That's what kills me... they were broke so they jacked up fares and cut jobs... so the only way to afford to bring all those jobs back... raise the fares again.... it's a no win.

Parking costs, road work/upkeep, gas, food, anything they can raise just becuase there will be need/demand...

As I said... it isn't necessarily going to be a disaster, but it's going to affect everything and if it's mismanaged, as things tend to be within Illinois, it isn't necessarily going to make a lot of money either. After Governor Blago and his self-indulging half-million dollar toll plaza signs and Mayor Ricky and the Great Parking Meter Operation, it's easy to see why Chicagoans might be wary of something like this.

But again, it will still be great for the hospitality, retail and restaurant industries, especially downtown.

And I'm saying living in this area is going to bend you over anyway one way or another so what's the big deal? Do you think a 10.25-13% sales tax is normal? And that's not even looking at receipts I have from buying things in the city... this is just out in the 'Burbs. Face it, we're already getting bent over.

It's not about the money or who's profiting how and to what extent... it's HOMETOWN PRIDE. It's bringing something to America to unify and rally everyone together and give us a sense of global community and national honor.

[Tito]

And I work in an industry that NEEDS this BAD. Real bad.
Travel & Tourism is way down and has been hit so hard by the enconomic bullshittery of late.

This isn't going to be this or next year. We're talking 7 years down the road. It will either be too late for some (who will have already go out of business) or do nothing for people today who will still be around. What if we are in an economic boom period in 7 years and hotels are filled anyway.

[Tito]

how do you figure??? ,,, even if Daly tries to scam bunch of money to himself and his buddies, all the local shops, restaurants etc will see a remendous increase of business, when they most need it.... You dont seem to understand how European and Japanese in general love to spend money at events like this.... specially when things seem so much cheaper to them here than their own country.... Salt Lake city is a perfect example of how much the whole city benefited from this... they turned a 4 lane highway around the city into a 6 and some parts 8 lane, all the costs were covered from the money the tourists brought in..... and add to that the whole team and fight for your nation spirit, you have the formula for one successful even where its a win win situation for everyone, aside from those whose team sucks ass at the sports

Again, you're talking like this will help people today or in the next year. This is seven years away. No one (taxpayers/government) has ever made money on this (in a long time). I don't need to take a multi-billion dollar hit to show national pride.

[Tito]

I hope we DO get it. Because that would just be cool. I highly highly HIGHLY doubt I'll stick around as a resident until 2016, so Daly can have at it. Of course, they did send Oprah to represent Chicago in Copenhagen. WTF. Anybody who doesn't get why it'd be awesome to have the Olympics back in the US probably was never on a team or understands school spirit... erm, country spirit...

I have country spirit, that is why I don't want it. I don't want to be saddled with MORE debt because of Daley's shit plans.

I can't stand that I'm about to agree (slighty) with Tito, but...

Overall I think it could be great for Chicago financially.
And I work in an industry that NEEDS this BAD. Real bad.
Travel & Tourism is way down and has been hit so hard by the enconomic bullshittery of late.

But at the same time I don't trust Daly not to screw this up (and screw US), financially, with his juggling of nickels and whatnot.

You'll both get over it if so. Do you realize if we get the bid, they'll HAVE to keep the roads in great shape? Shouldn't that be reason enough by itself? Every town is weary of the financial burden. I remember 96 and Atlanta. I know a lot of people who were living there then. Same thing, they didn't trust the city not to thwart them into tax oblivion. The way I see it, Cook County's taxes are already so high... I'm really not going to notice another few cents tacked on to the dollar.

What matters is that it will force the city to make some much needed improvements. AAANND, it's home field advantage for Team USA.

You got A LOT to learn newcomer.

[Tito]

It's not about the money or who's profiting how and to what extent... it's HOMETOWN PRIDE. It's bringing something to America to unify and rally everyone together and give us a sense of global community and national honor.

I'm gonna puke. Fuck the elitist, left wing talking points. It is about the money.

[Michigan Girl]

It's not about the money or who's profiting how and to what extent... it's HOMETOWN PRIDE. It's bringing something to America to unify and rally everyone together and give us a sense of global community and national honor.

I'm gonna puck. Fuck the elitist, left wing talking points. It is about the money.

LMAO!!
Puke or play hockey?!??!

[Tito]

It's not about the money or who's profiting how and to what extent... it's HOMETOWN PRIDE. It's bringing something to America to unify and rally everyone together and give us a sense of global community and national honor.

I'm gonna puck. Fuck the elitist, left wing talking points. It is about the money.

LMAO!!
Puke or play hockey?!??!

I don't know what you're talking about.

[bluejeangirl76]

It's not about the money or who's profiting how and to what extent... it's HOMETOWN PRIDE. It's bringing something to America to unify and rally everyone together and give us a sense of global community and national honor.

I'm gonna puck. Fuck the elitist, left wing talking points. It is about the money.

This I gotta see. Post pictures.

(nice try, edit-meister!)

[Rhiannon]

You got A LOT to learn newcomer.

Oh get off it you sour old pessimist. Since when are the Olympic games a matter of liberal vs. conservative "talking points"? Are you against all forms of fun? I guess we have different priorities if you're just worried about paying more taxes and more windbag downtown agenda instead of seeing how cool it would be to have the Olympics in your area. But you hate foreigners, so I can see where this problem probably stems from for you.

[Tito]

You got A LOT to learn newcomer.

Oh get off it you sour old pessimist. Since when are the Olympic games a matter of liberal vs. conservative "talking points"? Are you against all forms of fun? I guess we have different priorities if you're just worried about paying more taxes and more windbag downtown agenda instead of seeing how cool it would be to have the Olympics in your area. But you hate foreigners, so I can see where this problem probably stems from for you.

The thing that has always bothered me about Chicago, is some people's (usually the higher ups/elite) inferiority complex. They want to be a global city, want to New York, want to be this or that. Fuck that. First, we are a global city already. Having the Olympics or not will not change that.

As far as foreigners go, another million for a few weeks won't matter. There is already too many here.

Another point missing from the discussion, the Olympics suck and are boring (lets watch swimming - Yeah!). The winter Olympics are better but that's still blows for the most part too.

[Rhiannon]

The winter Olympics are better but that's still blows for the most part too.

I agree. But regardless of the athleticism and skill needed to go barreling down the Eisenhower doing 80 with a foot of snow on the ground while dodging salt trucks, that is not nor will ever be an Olympic sport, and is all this city has to offer in terms of winter fun. Let's face it, once that first snow turns to brown slush, this is a miserable place to exist for 6 months. No good skiing no snowboarding. Nothing.

I agree the Winter sports are better... I don't think they blow at all though. As for the Summer games, no one's forcing you to watch. Sure, it's all about status. But it's also about going "AMERICA, FUCK YEAH BITCHES! We're the best!" And getting to be ridiculous patriotic assholes for a few days every four years. This time, we're on our own soil. It's bragging rights. It's why a college football team feels better at home than on the road. How can you not get the point I'm making? I could give a shit about lacrosse or tennis, but I still want Team USA to take the gold. And I want a bunch of stars and stripes shirts yelling like fools in the audience for them.

/verbal diarrhea over.

[Behshad]

You got A LOT to learn newcomer.

Oh get off it you sour old pessimist. Since when are the Olympic games a matter of liberal vs. conservative "talking points"? Are you against all forms of fun? I guess we have different priorities if you're just worried about paying more taxes and more windbag downtown agenda instead of seeing how cool it would be to have the Olympics in your area. But you hate foreigners, so I can see where this problem probably stems from for you.

The thing that has always bothered me about Chicago, is some people's (usually the higher ups/elite) inferiority complex. They want to be a global city, want to New York, want to be this or that. Fuck that. First, we are a global city already. Having the Olympics or not will not change that.

As far as foreigners go, another million for a few weeks won't matter. There is already too many here.

Another point missing from the discussion, the Olympics suck and are boring (lets watch swimming - Yeah!). The winter Olympics are better but that's still blows for the most part too.

tough shit. if u doint lik it, get in your beige Malibu, fill it up with snickers and frigga cds and drive away for a while, then again no one wants ur smelly ass in their town so your SOL {if u kno what I meen}

[bluejeangirl76]

How can you not get the point I'm making?

How can you not get that you will be much more successful if you go argue with an oak tree for about an hour and a half.

You know what Chicago should host? The GLBT Olympics!! How cool would that be! Tito would move.

[Rockindeano]

I hope Chicago doesn't get it either. For the reasons described above.

You miserable Fuck. Have some civic pride, man. Would it kill you to expand your horizon and maybe invite a little worldly culture into your great city, which by the way it is. Watch Vancouver put on it's act in 2 months and tell me you wouldn't want Chicago to be on the world stage for 3 weeks?

[Tito]

I hope Chicago doesn't get it either. For the reasons described above.

You miserable Fuck. Have some civic pride, man. Would it kill you to expand your horizon and maybe invite a little worldly culture into your great city, which by the way it is. Watch Vancouver put on it's act in 2 months and tell me you wouldn't want Chicago to be on the world stage for 3 weeks?

Civic pride at the cost of billions of dollars - NO THANKS. Not worth it.

[Tito]

How can you not get the point I'm making?

How can you not get that you will be much more successful if you go argue with an oak tree for about an hour and a half.

You know what Chicago should host? The GLBT Olympics!! How cool would that be! Tito would move.

Unfortunately they did couple years ago. Probably why AIDS cases have shot up in the city lately.