Chicagoans stunned after Chicago losses Olympic Games bid in first round of IOC Voting
by John Gonzalez

A collection of supporter bracelets that read "Chicago 2016" are constructed to make a rubber ball. Photo by Alejandro Valdivieso.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) chose Rio de Janeiro as the 2016 Olympic Games’ host city on October 2 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Many believed that Chicago would win its bid for the 2016 Olympic Games, but the city’s elimination in the first round of IOC voting stunned many across the city, including spectators in Daley Plaza.

Some Chicagoans were happy with the results of the IOC’s vote, as many believed that Chicago was not finically fit to support the costs of the Olympics.

“I was really happy,” Griffin Cox, Adv. 105 said. “The fact is that it would cost too much. The four billion dollars would have helped but the creation of jobs would be temporary and we would end up with useless buildings.”

Many share Cox’s opinion, believing that Chicago is not financially secure enough to host the Olympic Games. According to a report by CBS2Chicago.com, Mayor Richard M. Daley initially stated that the Olympic Games would cost around $4.8 billion. Mayor Daley proceeded to say that $500 million was the limit that Chicago taxpayers would have to pay to support the Olympic Games.

Though many Chicagoans expressed concern regarding the financial aspect of hosting the Olympic Games, a considerable amount expressed concern over the historical value of several Chicago buildings.  Several important buildings, such as the Michael Reese Hospital Campus, has commenced primary demolition of it’s 27 of 29 buildings as of the week of October 23.  After the lost of the Olympic Games, various proposals have been talked about ranging from an extension of McCormick place to a new high school, according to the Chicago Maroon, the newspaper of the University of Chicago. Construction for the Olympics got even more bizarre with allegations of foul play. Buildings the city had started to construct for the Olympic Games will be either left unfinished or sold to private developers, according to USA Today.

A number of construction workers do not look upon the loss of the Chicago bid as happily as others. Many construction workers who were eagerly anticipating the work that would come from the Olympic Games are now worried about available construction jobs.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was chosen as the host city of 2016 Summer Olympic Games and will be the first South American city to host the modern Olympic Games. Rio de Janeiro was considered Chicago's top competition for the Olympic Games, but Chicago lost in the first round of International Olympic Committee voting, shocking many in Daley Plaza. Image courtesy of amazon.com.

Despite the disappointment surrounding Chicago’s loss, many have expressed their content with Rio de Janeiro being chosen as the host city of the 2016 Olympic Games, as it will be the first South American city to host the modern Olympic Games.

“I wished we had the Olympics,” Alex Bologena, Adv. 300, said. “I am glad about [Rio de Janeiro’s win], but [Rio de Janeiro] has a high crime rate.”

Though many have expressed their concern over the crime rate in Rio de Janeiro, critics have cited that Chicago also has its share of crime.

“… After we get over the shock of ignominious rejection,” Andy Shaw, executive of The Better Governor Association, a non partisan Chicago civil watchdog group, wrote in an op-editorial, “we’re back to the reality of massive budget deficits, a school system in crisis, neighborhoods besieged with the deadly gunfire of gang wars over drug turf, and ineffectual partners at the state and federal level.”

Many believed that a Chicago Olympic bid victory would also be a win for the United States. Since the election of President Barack Obama, many in the United States have felt that the nation’s image has improved abroad and many hoped an Olympic bid victory would improve the United States’ international image even more.

Many who didn’t support Chicago’s bid believe that Daley did try his best to bring the Olympic Games to Chicago.

“Yeah he did enough, he tried hard enough,” Mary Kate Speth, Adv. 101, said.

Regardless of Chicago’s loss, the quest to gain the 2016 Olympic Games brought awareness to many issues such as abandoned parks and buildings that are currently being remodeled. Many also feel that Chicago’s bid for the Olympic Games has improved Chicago’s international reputation.

“We introduced Chicago to the world,” Patrick Ryan, Chairman and CEO of the Chicago 2016 Olympic Games Bid Committee, said according to CBS2chicago.com. “Chicago is so much better known today and appreciated and respected — all around the world. Chicagoans can hold their heads high. We’re sorry we didn’t bring home a victory.”