Chicago Still The 2016 Favorite

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jun 8, 2009 8:40PM

With a little under four months until the vote on who will host the 2016 Summer Olympics, the Around the Rings website still has Chicago pegged in first place in their power poll.

1. Chicago (80)
2. Madrid (78)
3. Tokyo & Rio (77)

The poll came out today and keeps Chicago at the head of the pack, but Madrid is gaining. From a CBS 2 report:

Chicago is on the top for marketing size and impact, with $2.5 billion forecast in revenue. The analysis also said Chicago "seems to have the clearest idea among the four on how to leverage the Olympics for the benefit of youth sport."

But the analysis pointed out a sustained criticism that Chicago is the only city without any promise by the government to cover costs. "Some even say the Chicago bid should be eliminated from the field because of the guarantee issue," the analysis said.

The placement gels with the comments of former USOC head Peter Ueberroth, who says Chicago is leading. Speaking in an interview with WBBM 780, Ueberroth said:

Chicago is a sports fan’s town and embraces sports. Chicago has tradition. You’ve got the best mayor, the most recognizable mayor other than maybe New York, who is respected around the world. You can find enclaves of every possible nationality you can possibly list and so I think Chicago can introduce the Midwest to the world through the Olympic movement.

He also said Chicago had the edge economically: “There’s no question that if you take any of the four bid cities, economically, the worldwide Olympic movement will do much better with the influence of Chicago and all the corporate communities around Chicago." Check out the entire interview with Ueberroth here.