Olympic thoughts
September 30th, 2009 at 10:58am Wally Haas
I think Chicago will get the 2016 Olympics, mainly because of money.
First, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley told the Olympic committee the city will accept the financial burden (ouch).
Second, TV, which drives just about everything in sports, would profit more by having an Olympics in the U.S. than it would to schlep announcers, camera people and crew to Rio, the site Senior Editor Chuck Sweeny thinks will get the bid. (Read Chuck’s blog HERE.)
Third, Vegas is betting on Chicago. I don’t know much about these things, but the odds of Chicago winning are -133. Rio’s odds are +300.
Personally, I don’t think President Obama would travel to Copenhagen for the announcement unless someone tipped him off that Chicago was going to win. I think the decision has been made and Obama’s presence is more for show than a last-ditch attempt to get the Games.
Chuck’s right that it’s South America’s turn to host an Olympics. That would be fair, but I don’t see fairness winning this one.
We’ll find out Friday.
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2 Comments Add your own
1. Mr. Funfsinn | September 30th, 2009 at 11:12 am
“Personally, I don’t think President Obama would travel to Copenhagen for the announcement unless someone tipped him off that Chicago was going to win. I think the decision has been made and Obama’s presence is more for show than a last-ditch attempt to get the Games.”
-Ironically, that decision, which is a decision of arrogance, will end up doing more political damage than good once Obama is unable to accomplish anything. A foreign policy Katrina is occuring right now, so it is reasonable to question his presence in Copenhagen when we have more pressing concerns. Also, we will pay for the financial guarantees! Why? Because we ended up paying for CTA! But, we might just have a new, downstate Republican Governor next fall! That Governor will refuse to pay for anoth Chicago disaster. So, in the end this thing might be another big Chicago flop. Or, Chicago will actually have to move away from socialism and stop pretending that this will be a “green” Olympics so that they have the finances to pay for it.
2. Pat Cunningham | September 30th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Wally: You’re thinking on this matter is spot-on. On the other hand, Mr. Funsfinn is just another Obamaphobe.
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