Chicago 2016 Olympic bid

Chicago's Daley Plaza is buzzing today with people flowing in from all sides to see what's going on. The water fountain has been dyed orange and bands are playing, they are giving away T-shirts and mugs and there are 2 big screen TVs.

Chicago, Rio de Janiero, Tokyo and Madrid are vying to host the 2016 Olympics, which will be the next Olympics after London hosts in 2012.

After living in London for the past few years, I have seen the steps the city is taking to update neighborhoods, increase open transportation, reduce pollution and generally spiff up the city. I know people have complained about the money, but the lasting effects should not be downplayed.

Chicago has already built Millennium Park and updated Grant Park, built additions on the blue line to include the pink line and have begun restructuring and rebuilding the Bronzveville neighborhood. Those are great things for Chicago.

But Chicago also had a big budget shortfall recently and had to sell our parking meters to a private company that messed everything up royally. It was a blemish for Mayor Daley, but nothing Chicagoans aren't used to. So if we are already in the negative and are selling things off to make ends meet, then would we want to take on the added gamble of the Olympics - which are touted to make millions of dollars, but have left most cities in debt - ? So can we take this risk? Every Chicagoan I have talked to says No. But PaddyPower and William Tell, betmakers in London are putting 16-to-1 odds on Chicago winning the bid.

There is also the issue of crime and bad neighborhoods and whether tourists would be able to get around. And be safe. This is where I think Chicago should host. We already pay the highest taxes on goods and services in the United States. Bring in a few million people and we will be rolling in dough. The city, according to the Chicago Tribune, has insurance totaling a billion dollars to cover any shortfall of money, and Obama has already given Chicago a ton of money for rebuilding and renovating the city. It can only be a good thing for the modernization of Chicago and putting us on the map for tourism. The last huge international event here was the World Fair in 1933!

I think that most people in Chicago do not realize what a huge, huge step this would be for us. It would bring us into the homes of millions of people around the world. We would be in people's minds for the next 7 years until we host. The athletes would be renting out rooms and houses from Chicagoans ----

Oh. The news just broke. Chicago was the first city to be eliminated. I guess this discussion has ended... lol :)