Chicago loses bid for 2016 Olympic games

By Gabrielle Williams

October 2 was an eventful day for Lane Tech because it was the 2009-2010 Pep Rally and Homecoming. But it was also an important day for Chicago as it was in the bid to be host city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Running against Chicago were the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, and Tokyo. The winner of host city was announced in Copenhagen, Denmark, and to the dismay of many Americans, Chicago was not chosen for the 2016 Olympic Games. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was the winner. Many Chicagoans voiced their opinions on the choice.

“I do not think it [Rio de Janeiro] was a better choice because they are already hosting the 2014 World Cup, and it brings questions as to whether the city can cope with two global events within 2 years,” said Luis Bautista, Div. 024.

Many Lane students thought it would be a neat experience to have the Olympics right in their own city and were disappointed when Chicago lost the bid.

In addition to the general excitement the Olympics would have brought, many thought it would have also stimulated Chicago’s failing economy. An economic impact analysis drafted by Chicago’s Olympic Board estimated $13.7 billion would have come into Chicago during the Olympic Games. Also an estimated 172,000 jobs would have been created by construction and other events needed between now and 2016 in preparation for the Olympics.

“Since people were hoping for those jobs I think it will lower Chicagoans moral. But we are tough and people will search for other means of support,” said Ms. Gholston, English teacher.

Some of the things that Chicago could have looked forward to if it had won the bid would have been an 8 km Olympic Ring centered near downtown Lake Shore Drive close to the city’s historic parks, as well as an Olympic Village with shops, restaurants and hotels. The Olympic Ring would have added to the iconic skyline on Lake Michigan and would have symbolized the theme of the 2016 Olympics: Uniting All Humanity.

Students and teachers had several different thoughts on why they think Chicago lost the bid.

“I think we lost because they [Olympic Committee] were worried about the gangs in Chicago and the safety and security of the athletes,” said English teacher Mr. Logalbo. “And it’s such a big city. I think those were the two main reasons. Maybe because we went into it too arrogant thinking we were going to win.”

The crime rate in Chicago may not be the best, but statistically Rio de Janeiro actually holds a higher rate of criminal activities than Chicago.

“Chicago lost because it was the favorite one to win,” said Luis Bautista. “People representing other nations knew that they were going to have to eliminate Chicago first if they wanted to give another city the chance to win. If Chicago was not eliminated early, chances are it would have won.”

It is true that Rio de Janeiro will also be hosting the 2014 World Cup in addition to the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Brazil is a developing country. It is going in the right direction, but it won’t be as developed as the U.S in 2016. They’re getting the 2014 World Cup as well so that’s not fair either,” said Caleb Albo, Div. 055.

Others think Brazil will do a fine job with the Olympics.

“I do think it was a good choice because it will bring newness to their country. Their capacity to hold such a large event is also more advantageous than ours,” Gholston said.

Lane students and Chicagoans alike are concerned about the city’s economy now that the Olympics will not be held here. But not all the economic news is bad.

“It’s really hit or miss. If the Olympics had come a lot of people would have lost their homes,” LoGalbo said. “It’s kind of just pick your poison. People would have benefited from the job production. But everyone’s struggling.”

“Since people were hoping for those jobs I think it will lower Chicagoans moral. But we are tough and people will search for other means of support,” said Ms. Gholston, English teacher.

Some of the things that Chicago could have looked forward to if it had won the bid would have been an 8 km Olympic Ring centered near downtown Lake Shore Drive close to the city’s historic parks, as well as an Olympic Village with shops, restaurants and hotels. The Olympic Ring would have added to the iconic skyline on Lake Michigan and would have symbolized the theme of the 2016 Olympics: Uniting All Humanity.

Students and teachers had several different thoughts on why they think Chicago lost the bid.

“I think we lost because they [Olympic Committee] were worried about the gangs in Chicago and the safety and security of the athletes,” said English teacher Mr. Logalbo. “And it’s such a big city. I think those were the two main reasons. Maybe because we went into it too arrogant thinking we were going to win.”

The crime rate in Chicago may not be the best, but statistically Rio de Janeiro actually holds a higher rate of criminal activities than Chicago.

“Chicago lost because it was the favorite one to win,” said Luis Bautista. “People representing other nations knew that they were going to have to eliminate Chicago first if they wanted to give another city the chance to win. If Chicago was not eliminated early, chances are it would have won.”

It is true that Rio de Janeiro will also be hosting the 2014 World Cup in addition to the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Brazil is a developing country. It is going in the right direction, but it won’t be as developed as the U.S in 2016. They’re getting the 2014 World Cup as well so that’s not fair either,” said Caleb Albo, Div. 055.

Others think Brazil will do a fine job with the Olympics.

“I do think it was a good choice because it will bring newness to their country. Their capacity to hold such a large event is also more advantageous than ours,” Gholston said.

Lane students and Chicagoans alike are concerned about the city’s economy now that the Olympics will not be held here. But not all the economic news is bad.

“It’s really hit or miss. If the Olympics had come a lot of people would have lost their homes,” LoGalbo said. “It’s kind of just pick your poison. People would have benefited from the job production. But everyone’s struggling.”