With a certain amount of relief I report that Chicago will not host the 2016 Olympics:
Chicago has been eliminated from Olympic balloting in the early rounds of voting by the International Olympic Committee, a stunningly swift defeat for the U.S. bid personally pitched by President Barack Obama.
Minutes later, Tokyo also was eliminated.
Rio de Janeiro and Madrid are now left seeking approval to host the 2016 Summer Games. The host city is to be announced around noon Chicago time.
As I see it that’s the way the politics played. Check who’s influential with the IOC.
I’m releived as well. I’ve never believed in the economic benefit given other city’s experience. It would have been a drag. Further, I think it would have been a benefit only to those insiders who would have benefitted from RE transactions and construction contracts. So be it.
There is one interesting dynamic: Pres. Obama’s trip. I can’t imagine that he would have put his prestige on the line for a Hail Mary. This must have been a surprise to go out in round one.
There will be interesting post mortems.
I apologize in advance. I’m weak. But………
How long until Jimmy Carter claims the IOC are racists?
I’m surprised that Chicago went out in the first round as well. I think heard Chuck Todd this morning say it was down to Chicago and Rio.
Drew: The post-mortems are going to point out that Obama was treated like a rockstar by the IOC and that if his persona couldn’t sway the vote, Chicago must have been perceived as a really bad choice. Score: Obama 1; Chicago -1
PD –
I agree. Chicago must have had numerous fundamental flaws.
That’s good. The Olympics are usually a highly expensive venture, and their main long-term benefit for a city (aside from any infrastructure built) is to draw attention to it. Chicago doesn’t really have the latter issue.