Chicago to Make Bid for 2016 Olympics

[chitownBUB]

http://suntimes.com/output/news/olympic10.html

Wonder if some of the venues could be outside Chicago, like in Peoria?

[BradleyBrave]

I want the Olympics nowhere near Chicago. Every city that hosts the Olympics loses money, and all it does is make Chicago and the surrounding areas one big terrorist target. No thanks!

[molar50]

There are 2 chances for Chicago to hold the Olympics in 2016, slim and none. It is a money loser for host cities. Only if the politicians can steal money from the taxpapers will this project get off the ground.

[collegehoopjunkie]

I am not sure that I buy the line that the city loses money.
Maybe they work their books that way for some ulterior motive, but the influx of people always is a HUGE boost to the economy and the city actually makes a lot of dough by means that aren't always obvious, such as hotel taxes, licensing vendors, etc...
And any time anyone in town is making money, the city (and state) will find a way to get a piece of it.

[BradleyBrave]

I am not sure that I buy the line that the city loses money.
Maybe they work their books that way for some ulterior motive, but the influx of people always is a HUGE boost to the economy and the city actually makes a lot of dough by means that aren't always obvious, such as hotel taxes, licensing vendors, etc...
And any time anyone in town is making money, the city (and state) will find a way to get a piece of it.

Take a look into what it takes to put on an Olympics. Do some research. Every city in the last 20 years to host a Summer Olympics has lost money. Add to that the heightened terrorist thread of this day and age, and I want nothing to do with an Olympics anywhere near Chicago or Central Illinois.

[AV23]

Re: Chicago to Make Bid for 2016 Olympics

http://suntimes.com/output/news/olympic10.html

Wonder if some of the venues could be outside Chicago, like in Peoria?

That would be great, but does Chicago have the room to house that many people. Not to mention build an olympic village, track and field stadium and so on.

[tornado]

I suppose we will never know all the facts, but cities line up to bid for the Olympics, and even for events like the All-Star Game, the Superbowl, March Madness, etc.
It is because someone DOES make money. It might not always be the one ledger that is made public, but I guarantee someone is making money, and some will make money big time.

The reason a city like East Peoria makes a BIG push for the Paradice or a certain hotel, is because it is generally GOOD for busines and economy even if the city themselves take a loss by giving "tax breaks" and free land. Isn't it the job of the government to do what is GOOD for the people and GOOD for their business even if they take a loss?

And garbage collection doesn't make money. Traffic control doesn't make money. Crime control doesn't make money. Attracting tourism doesn't make money for many cities, and luring a pro baseball team doesn't always make money, so since when do cities always have to make money before it is a reasonable thing to do something?

I think you'll get some argument on the make money/lose money thing.

Certainly it is widely accepted that the Los Angeles Olympics DID make money.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE0DF1539F937A15752C0A96F958260

So it is possible.

[BradleyBrave]

Athens Olympics chief claims that the Olympics have "paid off", even though the people of Greece are still paying out the wazzoo for the $16 billion dollar cost to host the games.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/athens/2005-11-03-athens-success_x.htm

Some National Public Radio conversation, talking about how host cities often lost money on the deal.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4732881&sourceCode=RSS

A CNN article on how host cities end up the losers when granted the rights to host the Olympics.

http://money.cnn.com/2005/07/05/news/international/olympics/

Just to name a few....

[tornado]

I hear ya BB< but I am always a bit reluctant to take these government-bashing rants seriously.
Seems like no matter what any government does, there are some who will bash, and this is just one topic they bash about.
But there is a reason Peter Ueberroth can run for governor or mayor, and it's because he would have to ability to pull off something big like getting the Olympics to work for a city.
If a city lost $$ then I'd say they had the wrong people running the show or someone funneled some $$ out of the till, but I suspect the $$ is there are it could work if done properly.

[it's boogie time]

The city and state might lose cash, but they gain some tremendous assets after the event is gone.

[BradleyBrave]

The city and state might lose cash, but they gain some tremendous assets after the event is gone.

I actually think that's what Daley is after - he wants a dome so that Chicago can host the Final Four, the Super Bowl, etc. However, he seems to forget that the city of Chicago and state of Illinois are both broke.

[Bravesguy]

How can they be broke?
I just sent them a big check on April 15th for my income taxes?

[mplona]

The city and state might lose cash, but they gain some tremendous assets after the event is gone.

I actually think that's what Daley is after - he wants a dome so that Chicago can host the Final Four, the Super Bowl, etc. However, he seems to forget that the city of Chicago and state of Illinois are both broke.

gotta spend money to make money, sometimes even money you dont have.

& if we got the olympics, the gov or someone might toss some money for cta & transit improvements along with the dome funding, just to put their name on it.

[BradleyBrave]

The city and state might lose cash, but they gain some tremendous assets after the event is gone.

I actually think that's what Daley is after - he wants a dome so that Chicago can host the Final Four, the Super Bowl, etc. However, he seems to forget that the city of Chicago and state of Illinois are both broke.

gotta spend money to make money, sometimes even money you dont have.

& if we got the olympics, the gov or someone might toss some money for cta & transit improvements along with the dome funding, just to put their name on it.

Give me a break. The CTA and transit system are the least of Chicago or Illinois' problems.

[mplona]

The city and state might lose cash, but they gain some tremendous assets after the event is gone.

I actually think that's what Daley is after - he wants a dome so that Chicago can host the Final Four, the Super Bowl, etc. However, he seems to forget that the city of Chicago and state of Illinois are both broke.

gotta spend money to make money, sometimes even money you dont have.

& if we got the olympics, the gov or someone might toss some money for cta & transit improvements along with the dome funding, just to put their name on it.

Give me a break. The CTA and transit system are the least of Chicago or Illinois' problems.

well if the olympics come & we got funding. i doubt it would go to the "right places" like education. they would put it towards soemthign relevant to the olympics, something for the public & tourists. cdot/idot is already doing construction the dan ryan, the cta is introducing new lines. i dont think there would be any harm in moving things along faster, thus giving the city more time & effort to other thigns.

& the CTA is a problem in chicago. i would know.