Chicago Olympics 2016 Y/N?

untsing

What do you think? 

JessAndColton

No.  Seriously, chicago?  Blah.

maykious

As much as I hate the cold, I really liked Chicago when I visited it last April.  It's a pretty cool city.  However, I really couldn't care less if the Olympics were there or not.  I have about as much of a chance of seeing them there as I would in China.

untsing

I think I just have a problem with the consequences.  They cost a GINORMOUS amount of money (aren't we kinda in an economic crisis right now?) and they, as my friend Amanda put it, leave empty (or severely under-utilized) buildings and lost jobs in their wake.  MY thoughts are that they should have it in Rio because the Olympics have NEVER in their history been held in South America. Also, I just can't picture a great Opening Ceremony.  Remember how AMAZING China's was?  It was a celebration of their culture.  I just think America borrows from so many other cultures that I can't picture an opening ceremony.  What would we show of our culture?  I'm frankly not impressed by a lot of it anyway, so I guess I just can't picture it. 

maykious

Again, I don't care at all, but just to play Devil's Advocate, you could argue that the Olympics would bring in a lot of money that could potentially help our economic crisis.  At least, it would help Chicago.  It would definitely add some much-needed jobs, even if only temporary.  The same argument was going on about holding the G-20 World Summit in Pittsburgh.Also, I think America has borrowed so much from so many other cultures that we have created our own.  That's what makes us different--we're a little bit of everyone.  Besides that, we're all used to it.  We were amazed by China's ceremonies because those cultures are so far away from our own.  My guess is that there were plenty of Chinese nationals who were disgruntled with the "history of China" and all the elements that made up their ceremonies.  I'm sure there were some people who thought the whole thing was stereotypical and a terrible representation of their society.But like I said, I couldn't care less.  I guess I'm just feeling argumentative this morning.  Sorry, Mandy.  No offense

untsing

Please, that's why I post these things...because I want to hear legitimate discussions and not just "OMG did you see the preview for the new Johnny Depp movie??" There are definitely arguments for and against. I just happen to be in the "against" camp.  I'd be seriously surprised anyway if the IOC picked Chicago.

juliebug1997

It does leave empty buildings and jobs and most people in Chicago are against it.  I listened to a little bit of Obama's speech to the IOC and it was pretty boring.  I also wonder if he would be going to the defense of any other American city or if this is just because it's from his home state and his bff, Oprah, wants it.

Tiffany618

I'd prefer that they not be here, actually.  I concur with Mandy's argument about the financial implications, and add that we don't really need an increased security risk either.Plus, I detest Chicago.  No offense to anyone who may be from there, but I work with people from Chicago on a daily basis and they act exactly how the world (incorrectly) depicts Americans.  Rude and unfriendly.

maykious

Tiffany, I have to agree to that.  I lived in Pittsburgh for a couple years and it lead me to develop a problem with a lot of Northerners.I did appreciate when the Olympics were in Alabama and they spelled out "Howdy Y'all" or something like that on the field.  That's definitely American.

Mariah&Steven

While I agree that afterwards the buildings will go unused, think of all the jobs it would generate just to build?  When I think about how stressed out my dad was a few years ago when construction jobs were scarce and people all around him at his company were getting let go, I'm sure many contractors would gladly welcome jobs that would cost years to build.  I think that while we're no where in a financially secure environment in America, to be able to offer thousands of jobs for at least 2 years to build these massive buildings, is amazing and would offer so many opportunities for those who don't know where their next job is going to come from.  I don't know if Chicago is the place to hold the Olympics...but I think for the time being it would definitely generate a lot of business not only for the city of Chicago but for America, I'm not sure I'd mind.  Personally, it makes me proud when we're selected to host any Olympics.  I don't tend to care as much when Olympics are held in other countries.  I'm not sure why.  That's just how I feel.

stephl3055

I'm against it as well.  I don't think it's very appropriate for Obama to fly over there and make this big pitch for Chicago (which is conveniently his hometown) when he's the first president to ever get involved this much in trying to get the Olympics.  I understand that his reasoning is that we will get jobs and money out of it, but I don't see Chicago as an Olympic city.  I personally thought Atlanta was a poor choice as well.  Does anyone have any idea where they will build all of the needed arenas and facilities?  I work with a lot of people from Rio, and I think they would be great hosts for the Olympics.  They are all so friendly and extremely outgoing.  I also love how the entire city participates in Carnival. 

maykious

If the people in the city of Chicago are against it, they shouldn't hold it there.  That's stupid and a little insulting. But I agree with Mariah--having the Olympics here will absolutely help us out, even if only for a little while. 

untsing

Okay I will 100% give you the jobs thing. But THEN what?? If they actually USE those massive buildings, convention centers, arenas, whatever afterwards then I'm fine with it.  But if they're just going to be these huge undertakings that won't be used heavily after everyone leaves town, then it's a major waste of resources and money in my opinion. Couldn't we create jobs to work on things that will benefit America/ans for YEARS to come, not just for the immediate future? 

Mariah&Steven

What do the people in other countries who create those huge buildings do with them? And to go along with the jobs, they'd probably move on-just like my dad is having to do by going all the way to effing Wyoming to get a good job (sorry-I'm a little bitter about him going so far away when there are jobs, but they don't pay enough).

untsing

Honestly I don't know, but as an aware American and having been to Chicago, it is just my opinion that it's a really selfish and foolish idea to lobby so hard to have them here. 

llc_lauren & chris

What do the people in other countries who create those huge buildings do with them?I was watching the news sometime around the end of the last Olympics and they were talking about this.  They showed the buildings from Athens that were deserted and I think vandalized because there was no real use after the Olympics. 

Mariah&Steven

Don't we always lobby hard, though?  I mean, if I remember correctly we made a huge deal about Atlanta, too.  Isn't it "the American way" to be proud of our country and WANT things to be held here because we're supposed to be a "free country" and "the most powerful country"?  I just think this is another excuse for America to be all, "look at me, look at me", prove to other countries how we can make our Olympics more awesome than the last (like we're saying "nah, nah-nah boo boo, our Olympics are better than YOURS"), and that we're "so welcoming" to other cultures and countries.And I just think it's in our government's mind to lobby for anything.  It's not just Olympics.  Bush lobbied (sp?) for War against Iraq, didn't he?  It's like it's in our culturial DNA or something to lobby for every little thing that we believe in.At least that's what I feel like we do.  Constantly.

emimayor

As much as I absolutely LOVE Chicago, I don't think the city (and surrounding areas) layout would be an adequate place to hold the Olympics. The city Olympics proposal states that the buildings would be temporary, not permanant structures. Regardless, the city layout is not conducive to this type of massive, international event. Chicago is a great town, but unfortunately a very divided city. Mayor Daly has done a superb job rebuilding the downtown and encouraging trourism, as well as locals to rebuild. However, the South side and some surrounding suburbs still require a lot of economic growth, and hosting the Olympics would not be a suitable way to grow these areas. And as much as Chicago boasts its public transportation (The ELLE "L"), I do not believe it would be able to support the amount of transport the Olympics would require. The city is very concentrated and getting around would be nothing short of a logistical nightmare.

maykious

It's jobs like that that pulled us out of the Depression.  The money that's generated from hosting there (and the money brought into the hospitality industry) will go back to the hosts that can put more money back into the economy.  They can open up positions that have been laid off.  Hosting the Olympics anywhere will generate more interest in that city, which will bring more people there even after they're over.  I'm sure the Bird's Nest has seen countless visitors since the closing ceremonies.  Those tourist bring more money to the cities for possibly years to come.  I think the effects can be longer-lasting than just through the event itself.

emimayor

Also, 47% of Chicagoans are against the Olympics being brought to their city. A large group went to IOC meeting to protest... Obama should listen to his hometown.

untsing

Emi makes another excellent point...the transportation would be a NIGHTMARE.  Atlanta at least had that going for it...SPACE. There's a lot more room in the South. 

Mariah&Steven

Emi, I totally agree about the transit and it just being a divided city.   I think there are much better places to have the Olympics than Chicago...but I can completely understand Obama being proud of where he got his start politically and wanting to be an advicate for it.  Though I agree, he should listen to his people and truly think about it before letting the pride of where he comes from completely dictate his support for the Olympics in Chicago.So basically, I'm divided on the subject as a whole because I can see both sides of the argument and I'm just not sure which one I believe in most.

untsing

Wow 47%?  That's not a small group...I hope the IOC listened up.

emimayor

There are alot of underlying factors that would negatively impact the Olympics being in the United States. We can argue that with any city. However, the biggest issues I have with Chicago is the geography of the town and the economic stand still the town will be under post-Olympics. So this leads me to another question? Is the United States ready for another Olympics?

untsing

Emi -- THAT is what I'm really trying to say.  I just don't think so.  But, that's my opinion.

cdcook

They just announced that Chicago was one of the first four cities eliminated. Rio, Madrid, Tokyo & one other city (I forgot who they said) remain in contention.

untsing

well there ya go.  post is dead.

emimayor

I would love to see the Olympics in Rio - what an amazing city. Mandy - I don't think we're ready. As a country we are still rebuilding from some major economic and social changes. The effects of 9/11 is not even in the history books yet, we're living with them everyday. Financial crisis, change in leadership (a historical change at that) is too much for one country, IMO to take on more, and more, and more... We, as a country, have too much reubilding to do before we can proudly, and successfully take on an international event such as the Olympics.

maykious

Then I vote for Rio!  If not for any other reason than the one Mandy stated. 

untsing

Go Rio! 

cdcook

I feel like it doesn't need to be in Toyko. I don't know why, I'm just against that. So...Madrid or Rio are my votes.