Chicago's Olympic Bid Displaced?

By Kevin Robinson in News on Apr 16, 2009 2:30PM

Now that the International Olympic Committee's Evaluation Committee is out of town, new information is coming out regarding the IOC's concerns about Chicago's bid. On the last of their visit to Chicago, the IOC met with several groups that oppose Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid. Among the concerns raised by No Games Chicago and Housing Bronzeville is the possibility that the games might displace Chicago residents, especially around the proposed sit of the Olympic Village.

"This organization (No Games Chicago) is very concerned about displacement from the Olympics, which is always a concern with residents," Gilbert Felli, an IOC member, told the Chicago Defender. "It's always difficult to build housing for the Olympics and not displace anyone, and they (Chicago 2016) need to address this issue." Mayor Daley disputed that notion while the IOC was in town. "There will be no displacement. We will not displace one person," the mayor said. Lori Healy, president of Chicago 2016, the organization behind the city's bid, echoed that sentiment. "That's why we selected the Michael Reese site for the Olympic Village because it is an isolated location," she told the Defender. But Willie J.R. Fleming, a co-organizer with No Games believes otherwise. "That sounds good on paper, but in reality we know that the Olympic Village will increase property values and force African-American renters out of Bronzeville," he said.

While Chicago tries to convince the IOC that it can responsibly handle the development needed to host the games, the committee is in Tokyo, evaluating Japan's bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics.