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The shocked crowd at Daley Plaza, Marcus Gilmer/Chicagoist
Chicago 2016 has been eliminated in the first round in a stunning development. The crowd here at Daley Plaza is absolutely stunned. The crowd has thinned considerably and an alderman is trying to rally the remaining attendees. Most of the people remaining are walking around stunned. We'll have more photos and information as it becomes available. Speculation has already begun as to why not and now the memory of New York being eliminated in the second round for the 2012 Olympics is fresh on our minds.
According to reports, Rio and Madrid are the final two with Tokyo exiting in the second round.
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interviews with diplomates in Copenhagen said Chicago's presentation was completely lifeless, still a shock though.
Rio and Madrid are the 2 finalists
big time shock. I am happy and sad. I at least would've liked to make the second round (I didn't want Chicago to win)
Think Daley retires now? (Please?!?!)
So, for those of you who are probably celebrating now, especially the ones who were constantly chanting, "NO GAMES, FUND THE SCHOOLS!" - Now what?
The money that would have come in from the games would have provided a huge amount of revenue for not just the schools, but infrastructure improvements and, in general, would have made the city a better place. I hope you're happy.
Not only am I happy, I'm ecstatic! This is by far the best thing that could have happened. Regardless of whether it has any far reaching implications, such as finally ushering Daley out of office (unlikely), a huge hunk of pork has been eliminated from the barrel for Chicago developers (i.e. Daley cronies). Now we can go back to not getting all the things this city needs (better roads, transportation, schools, police, etc) for all the usual reasons, instead of not getting them because of Daley's boondoggle. Ahhh, progress...
this isn't the fault of people who opposed the olympics. according to the tribune, our final presentation was awful. "Olympic historian David Wallechinsky . . . minced no words in summing up Chicago's final presentation. 'Without the Obamas, Chicago had nothing,' he said."
Also, a guy from spain who was president of the international olympic committee for 21 years made a deathbed plea on Madrid's behalf.
So, for those of you who are probably celebrating now, especially the ones who were constantly chanting, "NO GAMES, FUND THE SCHOOLS!" - Now what?
"Now what" is that Daley and this city put that same energy and ingenuity into fixing the things around here that need to be fixed.
The money that would have come in from the games would have provided a huge amount of revenue for not just the schools, but infrastructure improvements and, in general,
Yeah...in seven years. Meanwhile, a whole generation of kids wouldn't see those improved schools you speak of, that infrastructure would be expected to, i don't know, maintain itself.
When you have bills to pay, do you wait until you get all the cash together and THEN pay the bills (ignoring the fact you're going deeper and deeper in the red) or do you try to take care of it in small increments the best you can?
So, the federal dollars we would have received are still going to come in now?
No, the billions of OUR DOLLARS are not going to be placed on the roulette wheel in hope it comes up a winner. I like that outcome better.
There were no federal funds promised for the Olympics, so why argue about it? It's theoretical. What is actual and true is that the city council commited up to $4.8 billlion of Chicago's taxpayers' money. For a two-week long antiquated athletic competition with no lasting value.
If they have $4.8 billion to promise for the Olympics, they can now use that money for better purposes.
You should be asking your fat corrupt mayor if HE'S HAPPY. Perhaps if he'd any spent time over his 20 something years actually improving the community instead of enriching himself and the wealthy, we wouldn't be famous for our violence, poverty, corrupt police and politicians.
Yes!!!!!
Now Daley can't keep using these stupid Games as the crutch, and at least has to pretend to give a shit about other problems. Yes, the next few years--or decade--are going to be extremely difficult, but at least King Daley can't keep distracting the easily tricked by waving the shiny key ring of the Games in front of them. And the loss of these Games further hobbles the mumbling munchkin leader, who was depending on a Chicago Games to provide his wonderful legacy.
These Games are a corporate whore fest anyway.
couldn't have said it better myself.
my coworker who was really gung ho about getting the Games told me, "you won." I didn't really consider it winning...after all, we'll still have all the same issues. but yes, the fact that we can't use the Games as an excuse not to improve non-Game-related problems makes a huge difference to me.
Heh. I called it. It was always going to be between Rio and Madrid.
And they're going to give it to Rio because of the never-been-an-Olympics-in-South-America thing.
At last, our long regional nightmare is over.
This result is probably for the best. But still, the civic pride side of me hurts a lot right now.
First round? Really?
Yeah, there was a little feeling of "Aw, really? First round?" I guess I at least wanted us to put up a good fight after being inundated with all of those posters, ads, etc. They did show part of the Chicago presentation on the news this morning... a bunch of kids saying "yay, Olympics!" Cute, but made us look like a small town. The others had stuff that made them look "grown up". At least that's my impression.
Today, it's like we're all are Cubs fans.
I blame Billy Dec.
hahahahahahahaha. what - videos from the stars of ABC Family's "Greek" didn't push us over the edge?
i think rio will get it, but i thought it'll be chicago vs rio in the end.
oh well.
AWESOME!!! Suck it, Daley!
Since there is no more need to stockpile money, can we take the parking meters back?
First round? Wow. I wonder where the blame is going to fall on this one. Good thing the ex didn't wander over to the plaza to get our son an Chicago Olympic trinket!
Thousands of people gathered in downtown Chicago stood in stunned silence Friday after watching coverage of the announcement.
An audible gasp could be heard from the crowd. Many stood for a few minutes, staring at the screen, and at least one flung his hands into the air in a crude gesture toward the TV screen.
-ESPN
An audible gasp could be heard from the crowd. Many stood for a few minutes, staring at the screen, and at least one flung his hands into the air in a crude gesture toward the TV screen.
LOL. There it is, right there.
"Ah, fuck you, Olympics. I got yer Olympic rings right HERE!"
Daley and his croonies are the main parties who would have profited from the games. How would the improved infrastructure improve Chicago? Kids would still get killed by gangs. Politicians would still steal money from tax payers. Traffic would still be horrible. This was all ego. Chicago is a great place with or without the Olympics. Heck, even all the phony hipster Chicagoans cannot ruin this great city.
What a fucking waste of two years going after this corporate whore fest, too. Daley proves as always he sucks at priorities. No, I don't expect him to solve every problem in Chicago, but him and his little business asskissers really needed to worry about deeper problems than a two-week party.
Will Daley pout and quit eventually because of that? Well, as much as I hate Daley--and I do hate him--I don't see him a quitter. Incompetent and tolerant of corruption, yes, but he doesn't seem to quit. Let's hope he turns that personal quality into a positive for the city, and finds another worthwhile legacy project.
I would have LOVED to have been a fly on the wall to see Daley's face when he got the news.
I'm glad that we didn't get it for many reasons stated above. But I'm very furious at the current Drudge Report headline: WORLD REJECTS OBAMA: CHICAGO OUT IN FIRST ROUND and also THE EGO HAS LANDED
I know Drudge doesn't care much for Obama, but seriously folks - this has nothing to to with Obama. It has to do with a terrible, shortsighted plan and more problems than can be counted. The headline should say little more than "IOC rejects Chicago Olympic bid" because that's all it's really about.
Drudge is just trolling for attention and clicks (translation = $$$). It's best to ignore him. Rational people will understand the flaws in his argument. Others would never have allowed themselves to see the flaws anyway.
Well, Drudge et al are nothing but two-bit propagandists. Accept that fact and your life will be easier. They are not interested in truth as much as ideology, in wisdom as much as fucking with the other guy, much like some drunk frat boy who gets bored after the eighth Bud Light at the Cubby Bar (sorry for the stereotype--apparently, I can do low-level propaganda as well.)
And who knows why the IOC said no? It is a corrupt group of clouted rich assholes who have their own reasons for their votes, who live of life of free food, booze, lodging and travel, who make a mockery of the original Olympic spirit.
Now Daley needs to work for all of Chicago, not just his machine and his corporate asskissers.
God, I am so happy today. And I don't care what this supposed to mean for Chicago's image. I am not so insecure. I know, deep down, that his city is one of the best when it comes to music, food, culture, diversity and neighborhoods. I hate the leadership but love the city for the most part, even though loving this city often feels like an act of defiance, given all the corruption (and the 18 months of winter each year).
Now: How well does Daley handle a real big defeat? Does the baby go home and cry, or does he roll up his sleeves and find something more worthy to work toward?
I'm just glad that I won't have to hear that lame "let friendship shine" slogan ever again. Also, I won't have to hear Nadia Comenici on the bus anymore and I'm ok with that.
Sad to go first round, a little. But over all I think I'm relieved that Daley didn't get his way.
i think this also shows how much anti-american sentiment there is around the world.
I know, lil' old just minding our business: USA.
I can't imagine why...
And now all the anti-Olympics people will go back to what they were doing about the problems in Chicago before the bid:
NOTHING.
If you were against the Bid, if you had problems with things in Chicago, and you don't vote in the next city election then you FAIL.
I wanted the Olympics, and if you were opposed and don't follow this up at the ballot box then you are just a whiny waste of flesh that only liked to complain for the sake of complaining.
Now's the time for you to step up. Somehow, I don't think many of you will.
I was against this from the beginning for all the right reasons. I've been voting since I was eighteen and never miss ANY election. I belong to my block club, volunteer, go to CAPS meetings and am frequently in touch with my alderman. I LOVE Chicago and I've lived here for over 11 years. So stop generalizing and deal with it.
I've done much more than voting, asshole. I've protested to alderman personally and taken part in campaigns and efforts. I've also made significant lifestyle changes to close the distance between the reality of my everyday existence and the ideal of how I think daily life in Chicago should be. (For instance, no motorized transport, though I don't dog people with cars, of course, unlike many ideological people from the far left.)
With all due respect, what the fuck were YOU doing for Chicago BEFORE all of this Olympic talk came up?
I always vote in all elections, against the mayor and against the usual corrupt subjects. So, piss up a rope dawg.
While Chicago will be fine, the IOC may regret this when the 2020 bidding process starts and they seek important dignitaries to show up and bow before them.
Care to bet on Obama (or whoever is president) showing up in 2013 to ask for their support? Not a chance. This is a complete embarrassment for him, and he won't make the same mistake twice.
I'm on a trip to Europe right now, but I was playing 2 euros an hour to see if we were going to get this thing. I'm really happy we didn't, it would have cost so much money. I hope everyone can just move on, recycle the posters and allocate money more responsibly.
There's no way we were even in contention. If our heaviest hitters couldn't even get us to the last round, then there's now way there was ever any question we were going to be here.
It would appear that the mystical powers of Oprah are immune to Europeans.
I'm sure right-wing talk radio is enjoying another great day of blaming everything on the black guy again.
Amen. It will be the Obamas and Oprah who will take the hit. ("Hey, Obama, thought you were so popular? What happened?"...as if Obama had ever said he was liked all over the world or had any control over that). Daley, PR wise, is probably off the hook.
How's that 'hope & change' working for ya! Last place!
Jerkstore.
Go Madrid. That will surely dissapoint everyone. The dark horse won!
Pinwiz11,
Judge not lest ye be judged. I'll be waiting for your detailed analysis of all candidates - judges included - for 2010. Who's your alderman? Why do you see the need for them to be retained in office?
Nice one, Fremo.
Who knew the IOC were a bunch of racists!?!
I know a lot of people, some of them family, who really needed this. Not developers, not corporate whores, people who work in construction and related businesses. This would have been good for them. I also love this city, and I think it would have been good for Chicago. Beyond that, I can't even begin to formulate a response to the stupidity being spewed on this thread.
Luke, I understand the frustration, but there is, right now, a lot of work to be done here if only this administration would get off its ass and use the same excitement, energy, ingenuity and arm-twisting to come up with funds to repair the streets, repair the schools, build the non-highrise affordable housing, etc. that needs to be here. There's no reason why the same deals with corporate Chicago can't be used to fund and initiate projects that need to be done. There is work for your family and others. You just gotta push for the same motivation to improve the city that you saw to get the Games.
Exactly.
That's pretty pathetic to pin the futures of your family and their jobs on the Olympics.
There are a lot of other cities in the world who are in the same shape, with no hope of getting the Olympics.
Don't blame the people on this thread who are happy about it, blame the administration and then do something about it.
"Pathetic"? You're calling Luke's family and friends pathetic for hoping the Olympics might bring them success? I wasn't even in favor of having the Olympics here, and I think your comment is harsh.
I would say misguided. Of course at the same time, Luke did imply in his opening gambit, that everyone in these comments who were against the bid, were engaging in "stupidity".
luke, I have a lot of friends in the restaurant/hospitality industry, so I can empathize. It sucks.
"And who knows why the IOC said no? It is a corrupt group of clouted rich assholes who have their own reasons for their votes, who live of life of free food, booze, lodging and travel, who make a mockery of the original Olympic spirit.
Now Daley needs to work for all of Chicago, not just his machine and his corporate asskissers."
So true. I have this obscene, cartoony image in my brain of these overfed and over-wined and dined fatsos drooling at the thought of the proximity of the hot Brazilian babes, beaches and debauchery.
Yeah, have a look at their demands for accommodation in Vancouver
From the CBC
LOL!
I am not saying that Chicago is free of corruption or horrible violence or anything, because that would be a lie, but by reading a lot of articles about Rio in the last few months, I think it is silly to point out our problems when Rio in all likelihood has worse problems.
We can't worry about the state of Rio. If Rio has rampant crime (which, from what I read, it does), then let them cope with trying to run the Olympics AND keeping people attending the games from getting killed. Putting our crime rate up against Rio's should be the LAST thing you're worried about. REDUCING our crime rate should be the first thing on your mind. Fuck Rio. The best thing this city could do in terms of increasing our international profile is to drasticaly cut our murder rate (trust me, this is a worldwide news item) and get a handle on the rampant corruption in this city. For God's sake, there's a story in today's paper about the $2.5 million 911 center contract that produced NOTHING. If we could shut off that corruption spigot, we'd probably have the money we need to fix things around here.
Rio just had the Pan-American games with no problems and they've been awarded the 2014 World Cup. Maybe people just don't think as highly of the U.S. and Chicago as we do.
Luke, I feel for families who would have benefited. But the way politics are run in this city, actually this country, doesn't give me hope for any large # of construction jobs. Look at how the stimulus package is being divided up by Congress. Lifetime politicians and political machines are not good for anything. The sheer number of patronage money that's tossed around here could instead fund the infrastructure projects that are needed, like the rehabilitation of the CTA redline stops at Wilson, Argyle, Morse, etc.
I think if anything, we should realize the old way of doing business has to stop. Too much waste and corruption. NO politician that is in office now is really immune to it.
I'm not giddy about the potential losses, Luke. I'll say what I've said all along - if anyone else were running the show, I would have been behind the bid.
We've still got a lot of work ahead of us. I say let's hold our elected officials accountable. Let Fitzgerald do his work, let's get an inspector general in here and lets look at the budget - hard.
At least the Picasso got a medal. We got that going for us.
In reviewing the 4 portfolios as presented by Chicagoist (very well done, thank you), I gotta say, trying to be as objective as possible, Chicago's pales next to the others, especially Rio.
Lick your wounds and move on.
you see each cities video? chicago was by far the lamest.
I agree. absolutely. what do think i mean by "pales next to..."?
because you said portfolio, not presentation video
eh sorry. if you mean "Chicago Surprises" or "Surprise, its Chicago" or whatever they called it, yes i had the pleasure. ugh
Surprise, its Rio!
Tulsa 2020: http://www.gamesbids.com/eng/olympic_bids/future_bids_2016/1216134562.html
I really don't think this had much to do with the Obamas. I think that the IOC saw the corruption and Daley for what he is. With all the murders and the lack of a decent budget and the parking meter fiasco, the taxes.. gosh, wonder why we didn't get it.
Of course you people think it had nothing to do with the Obamas. I think it was a major embarrasment for him. On its face, people might say that its only the Olympics, big deal. However, I think his image took a major hit today, and all he really has is his image. I am not celebrating this. I don't like to see this country's President look foolish, as much as I can't stand him. It also didn't help that this happened on the same day we lost 200+k more jobs and the world is on edge about Iran's nuke program.
You people would be blaming Bush and celebrating his embarrasment if he had done this.
If the "race" had been neck and neck, and Obama's support would/could have nudged Chicago over the top, you might begin have a point. As it happened though, the bid collapsed under the weight of its own demerits. No single person, however popular, could have made the IOC stomach it no matter how charming they spoke during the final pitch.
Of course, I don't really know why I'm bothering with this reply since you're so obviously a troll who's not interested in any serious discussion.
How are those budget cut numbers coming "Masked Marauder".
Second time asking.
Numbers? Ideological people don't need no stinking numbers. Facts are for libs, don't you know?
That I'm far from being a lib--at least by MM's definition of a lib--is besides the point. Hell, I doubt you are even a lib by the superficial right-wing definition.
I'm not going to wade through the budget. Given the crooks that populate our state government, I feel perfectly comfortable stating that an enormous amount of fraud and waste exist. They should reduce the budget by firing people, cutting past pensions to the extent it is legally allowable, cut/eliminate future pensions, cut salaries, cut perqs, cut useless programs, cut state agencies.
The argument of you tax-lovers is corrupt. You carry an assumption that government is spending our money wisely and there just isn't enough waste.
Why don't you people go through it and tell me what CAN'T be cut?
What the fuck? You tried to tell us what should be done with the budget, but you've not studied it, or even skimmed it?
What a damn fraud you are, MM.
Fire whom? We've already fired prison guards, meaning we have to release more convicted felons. How the fuck is that conservative?
In any case, Go Rio!
While we're in agreement on fraud and waste, we don't agree that you can cut "billions" worth of it, and on top of that *cut taxes* as you'd like. Matilda's simple challenge should be easy for you, just come up with a paltry billion that could realistically be cut, the state's deficit is nearly 10 billion btw. Man up Masked Marauder, show some personal responsibility for your posts, pull yourself up by your bootstraps, quit blaming others, walk the walk as they say..
Thanks Masked Marauder, I figured backing up your statements wasn't something you were quite prepared to do.
I can only log on a couple of times per day, I cant keep up with all of these requests you people make.
What are you talking about backing up? I am not going to spend time wading through the budget line by line and
come up with cuts, only to come back to you and have you tell me that its not possible. Why don't you do all of this work and tell me why I am wrong?
I never said cut taxes in this case. I know that is not possible in this situation.
I think that's the closest we're going to get to a:
"I'm sorry folks, I admit I didn't know what the hell I was talking about, and was just parroting empty talk radio slogans".
Oh, please. How about if I give you an assignment that would take as much time - I'm sure you'd be willing to do it. You should be the one defending what is NOT an expense that could be cut. However, you people who kneel at the feet of government actually think they spend wisely and that they have our best interests in mind./
Shame Obama couldn't bring ACORN over there to stuff the ballot boxes and register fake IOC members for us!
Haha! That's incredibly clever the way you managed to work ACORN into your post! I see what you did there. Brilliant! Srsly man, pat yourself on the back.
Just reviewed Chicago's final presentations. ehh. The Obamas contribution was too little, too late. I can't speak to whether the IOC is at all concerned with as many of the local issues that play out here, but on the surface, the presentations were small time. I would've passed as well. Maybe lessons will be learned.
Rest assured - if Chicago would have won, Obama would be the hero. He takes credit for anything good and takes no responsibility for anything bad.
I just some NBC footage online, these reporters are distraught. They wanted to report on Obama saving the day and were excited about another opportunity to worship him.
Yes, you are 100% right. Thank you for the insight.
I find myself anticipating MM's informed, unbiased and rational insights on a daily basis.
So let me get this straight, Hooded, I mean Masked Marauder. You claim that if we'd won the game, the credit would go to Obama. But since we lost, you say this:
Of course you people think it had nothing to do with the Obamas. I think it was a major embarrasment for him.
So to recap your (ahem) logic: If we win, credit wrongly goes to him. But we lose and it's a "major embarrasment" for him.
Pick a lane.
Man, I love how you call anyone who complains about the Pres a raciest. that’s classy. That sure strengthened your argument.
Where did raciesm--or I suppose you mean racism--come into this discussion? Who brought up raciesm?
You are missing my point. I wasn't making a judgement as to whether credit should or shouldn't rightfully go to him if we had gotten the bid. I don't really care. What I am saying is that the media would have gotten a collective tingle up their leg and been in full worship mode. They would have attributed the Olympic bid to his popularity around the world, his speech, Michelle, The Oprah, etc. The press was salivating over this story and the headlines were already written. Just didn't work out that way.
Perhaps Obama talked about himself too much in the speech. Reread it when you get a chance - it is ridiculous.
The sad things is that hardly a dime that would have been spent on the Olympics will end up going to schools, transportation, or any other social programs. We will still have a budget short fall. TIF mony will still be used to develop the Michael Reese land. Daley will still win the next election. Besides not having tax payers on the hook for Olympic cost overruns, I see very little positive in what happened today. Its not like the billions that were going to be raised through private donations and spent around the city are still going to roll in. Simply put, the status quo keeps marching on.
Isn't anyone even a little curious about what went wrong though? Putting aside your feelings on the games, doesn't it seem odd that Chicago was knocked out in the first round?
see...
http://chicagoist.com/2009/10/02/olympian_after-shock.php#comments
Well, I have my theories. One, I saw part of the city's videotape presentation to the comittee (emphasis on "part") and it was kinda corny. Lots of smiling school children waving at the camera and smiling, which was kinda small-town looking. Shots of Wrigley Field, as if baseball would resonate with them (particularly since baseball was knocked out of the Olympics) The snippets of other tapes I saw emphasized the "worldliness" of the city in question. Maybe Chicago didn't seem as "international" to them. Don't get me wrong, we're a pretty popular destination for international tourists. But there's nothing "exotic" about us.
Or it could be they tried TOO hard. Maybe the IOC likes to think of themselves as above being celebrity-struck, so they were turned off by the starpower we tried to trout out: Oprah, the first lady, the president.
And finally, maybe it was Daley trying to hardball them. He tried to hold off on the guaranteed money until the IOC had to tell him it was either that or nothing. Most nations, I think, throw everything on the table right off the bat. Daley came in trying to negotiate. The IOC is two things: greedy and egotistical. That doesn't bode well for strong-arming.
IMHO.
All you have to do is compare the tapes, and you can see why Chicago lost.
Well, that and the corruption, greed, people being VERY vocal about not having the Olympics here, high taxes, etc.
Barack Hussein Obama.. Mmmmmm.. Mmmmmm.. Mmmmm..
And using his full name has WHAT to do with this?
Watch out--he's a Muslim Commie Nazi who will kill your grandma.
God, I love hopelessly stupid people.
Flo's post is the chorus from the song that the schoolkids in New Jersey were indoctrinated with. Its kind of a catchy tune, which I'm sure is the intent. They want the kids to sing it in their heads over and over again.
Mmmm - mmmm - mmmmm - Barack Hussein Obama
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/24/lyrics-songs-president-obama/