The Night Chicago Died

2 October 2009



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Rio Gets 2016 Summer Olympics

The International Olympic Committee awards its Winter and Summer Games in one of the most convoluted and ridiculous beauty contests in the world. Nations make proposals for what they might be able to do in 6 or 7 years, and some barely make it. For the Athens 2004 games, the paint on the stadium wasn't dry for the Opening Ceremonies. Today, the IOC stunned most Chicagoans (but no one who follows Olympic politics) by giving the 2016 games to Rio. Why? Because it was South America's turn.

The final four cities in the running were Rio, Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo. The bets were on either Rio or Chicago. Madrid was thought unlikely because Barcelona had the games in 1992, and London is hosting them in 2012. Two European-based games in a row is impolitic, and Spain has had its turn. As for Tokyo, its bid didn't impress, and numerous other Asian nations deserve a crack at it. Tokyo hosted the 1964 games, while Sapporo and Nagano have both hosted the winter events.

Chicago put together a bid backed by the city of Chicago, local financial interests, the state government and the federal government. The latter is led by a young man from Chicago named Barack Obama. Oprah Winfrey and Mrs. Obama were lined up to pitch the Windy City's advantages. The president himself decided at the last minute to fly to the IOC meeting in Copenhagen to bolster the bid.

Some analysts have said that the IOC decided against Chicago as an anti-American move. American xenophobic immigration controls might make some fans stay away. Others said Mr. Obama's appearance reminded everyone of America's sense of entitlement, that it was disrespectful. And who knows, maybe the kayak course on Lake Michigan just wasn't good enough.

The unpleasant truth is that never in the history of the modern games (dating back to 1896) has a South American nation hosted the games. The Olympic movement prides itself on global fair play. Well, ignoring South America for over a century while Britain, America, France and Greece got multiple turns seems the height of unfairness. Rio has loads of crime, and its infrastructure probably needs work. But it's one of the world's top cities in a nation that has progressed mightily in recent years. Just as the Tokyo games of 1964 showcased post-war Japan's success, the Rio games of 2016 will show off 21st century Brazil.

One does feel a sense of disappointment for Chicagoans, but it is tempered by the fact that their city won't get screwed up for 3 weeks with extra traffic and games no one understands played in front of tourists who don't speak English. Instead, the locals can partake of the usual Chicago summertime traditions, like going to Wrigley Field and watching the Cubs blow another shot at the World Series.

© Copyright 2009 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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