2016 Olympic Games: Who Should Host Them? (SLIDESHOW, POLL)

Everyone from President Obama to the King Of Spain will be in Copenhagen on Friday to push for their city's 2016 Olympic Games bid. Which city do you think deserves it? Madrid, Chicago, Tokyo or Rio de Janeiro? Vote here.

Chicago

Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics is backed by President Barack Obama, but the city has plenty more to offer. The city's strength lies is the number of historical parks and sports venues that already line Lake Michigan -- which means 85 per cent of all sport competitions will take place within five miles.

comments(205)

Rate This Photo

(Current Rank: loading...)

This city has nothing new to offer I'm booking my tickets!

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Now Make Your Own Top 5

And Share with Your Friends

Average rating: loading... out of 10

Current Top 5 Slides

loading...

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

Share Your Top 5 Slides

Users Who Voted on this Slide

loading...

loading...

HuffPost Community Top 5 Slides:

«»

 | Become a fan

Share Your Top 5 Slides

 

Get HuffPost World On Facebook and Twitter!

Comments

[USA2Sense]

09:44 PM on 10/01/2009

I don't want the Olympics anywhere in this country - let the rest of the world have them.....

And it seems that if Chicago does get the nod - that everything they are planning will only be 'temporary' structures...nothing of lasting value - just a disposable legacy - like everything else.

Besides, it will keep the 'riff-raff' from openly entering our country - with the intent of doing us harm...

The quality of the Olympics has degraded - and there is so much doping, lying, and deception.

Nothing to be proud of - but sad for all the athletes that have dedicated their lives to become an Olympic athlete - those are the ones I feel sorry for...................

[Pleneras]

08:58 PM on 10/01/2009

ARGENTINA! All those other places have had sport events of some kind already... time for Latin America to be received.

[naschkatze]

09:47 AM on 10/02/2009

Argentina? Have I missed something?

[KIVPossum]

01:12 PM on 10/01/2009

They should give the nod to Rio.

[The Professor]

01:49 PM on 10/01/2009

I agree, it should be Rio.

[sonoffestus]

12:12 PM on 10/01/2009

The Olympics should be held every year in Greece. Hosts nations can be selected for every Olympic gathering. Their job would be to throw an opening night barbeque and run the concessions.

[naschkatze]

09:48 AM on 10/02/2009

I agree totally except I think even the ancients only held them every four years. Every four years is enough.

[ohbeehave]

12:04 PM on 10/01/2009

I get a tad tired that we pursue these games with such vigor when we have hosted many games while other countries have never had the chance. Don't other nations deserve the economic boon hosting the Olympics will bring, so that when there are natural disasters there in the future, they are better equipped financially to handle crises such as these? Are we better than they are, more deserving? Enough already. The games, in my opinion, ought to rotate through all qualified locales regardless of the popularity of their leaders, or their ability to put on a high profile pitch. Some countries cannot compete in the bidding process because they are merely cubs being thrown in with the lions.

[chedet]

05:08 AM on 10/01/2009

Obama must have like debts so much because as much as the olympics will create jobs and infrastructure, it'll also create huge debts. China hosted a wonderful Olympics last year but that's because they can afford it. Can we?

[GAPeach99]

07:16 PM on 09/30/2009

Chi town!!

[Lakesideboy]

03:19 PM on 09/30/2009

Why am I never included in these supposed "polls"?? Who gives these polls and who exactly do they poll?? Sounds as if they polled only those Daley supporters who stand to gain financially from having such a vast amount of money thrown into their laps to pay for this 2016 Olympic venue. Chicago WILL NOT benefit or make any money off of the games. Wake up if you live in Chicago because you should know, historically, that Mayor Daley is systematically bankrupting this city.
Only the rich can live here and foreigners will not be able to afford the parking costs...........

[JakeChicago]

07:47 PM on 09/30/2009

I would recommend you read the actual plan, which has a very specific section on the financing: www.chicago2016.org

[47th]

11:31 PM on 09/30/2009

The actual plan neglects the part about Chicago taxpayers being on the hook for cost overruns. And in Chicago, there are always cost overruns!

[ejhickey]

09:51 AM on 10/01/2009

the polls are fixed, just like the elections in Chicago

[itsamessi]

01:39 PM on 09/30/2009

It has to be Rio.

[Totto]

02:36 PM on 09/30/2009

Slum and violence capital of Brazil. Or is that Sao Paolo?

[chedet]

04:59 AM on 10/01/2009

Yeah chicago doesn't have slums and crime! Woweee!

[Cogs]

12:07 PM on 09/30/2009

Make Athens the permanent site and have everyone compete in the nude.

[GAPeach99]

07:16 PM on 09/30/2009

Okay, but could we let the shotputers wear clothes?

[ohbeehave]

12:06 PM on 10/01/2009

Don't forget the female curling team in the winter...please don't make them perform nude!

[PoliticalAmazon]

09:48 AM on 09/30/2009

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-pollution-risk-29-sep29,0,4323308.story
"CHICAGO'S TOXIC AIR
People living in Chicago and nearby suburbs face some of the highest risks in the nation for cancer, lung disease and other health problems linked to toxic chemicals pouring from industry smokestacks, according to a Tribune analysis of federal data...."

[JakeChicago]

07:49 PM on 09/30/2009

Since you are so intent on bashing Chicago I am curious as to where you live that is so perfect?

[PoliticalAmazon]

09:45 AM on 09/30/2009

Chicago is a terrible site for the Olympics because of the out-of-control violence, slums are scattered throughout the city with concentration around downtown, the city is in a worse economic condition than most American cities (and they will have to pay for the Olympics, thanks to Daley), and during the summer it is hot, humid, with the air and water extremely polluted.

[BVictor1]

06:36 PM on 09/30/2009

You obviously know nothing about Chicago. Many of the housing projects have been demolished and or transformed. As for the violence, it happens. It's certainly say, but you can't blame the mayor for that, and if you want to use the violence theory, the Rio certainly shouldn't get it.

This city actually isn't in worse economic conditions than other cities, we're actually fairly stable. Cities like Detroit and Cleveland have had rougher economic times than Chicago. As for the weather, hey, what can you do about that one?

[JakeChicago]

07:52 PM on 09/30/2009

By that statement it is now very clear that you have likely never even been to Chicago or really know anything about it. I guess you get your kicks being a provocateur with post that have nothing to do with the facts.

[imperio]

09:12 AM on 09/30/2009

It's the right of Rio as South America has never hosted Olympics. US hosted in 1996 so they don't have a moral standing to be a host in 2016. Barcelona was a host in 1992 so they don't have any right to even qualify for the final rounds. Tokyo hosted in 1964 but Beijing has just hosted last year so their chances are low. If Rio is not selected, that would be a grave injustice. Also, Obama should not travel to Copenhagen as he has many things to do at home.

Btw, I'm not South American but have followed Olympics deeply so represent the true emotions of these games.

[BVictor1]

06:46 PM on 09/30/2009

Don't have the moral standing? Who in the holier than thou heck do you thing you are? South America has never hosted the games because from what I understand no city there has ever bid for them.

If Rio isn't selected, it's because they didn't have the best bid package and presentation and sway.

President Obama taking 1 day to travel to Copenhagen to support his city and country to host an international event that could create thousands of jobs is a wonderful use of his time. He's traveling in a flying office where communication isn't limited.

[JakeChicago]

08:02 PM on 09/30/2009

So it is Ok for Brazil's President to go, but not the United States President? And the argument that he is too busy is not logical. He has the most advanced communications systems in the world aboard Air Force One and he can really work from anywhere in the world. I have some sympathy for giving other countries and places a chance to host the games, but at the same time Chicago has never hosted the games either.

[KoiPondering]

09:06 AM on 09/30/2009

I am a Chicago girl rooting for Rio to get the olympics!

[BVictor1]

06:46 PM on 09/30/2009

Well you certainly lack any hometown pride.

[ejhickey]

09:56 AM on 10/01/2009

Maybe she has hometown "realism". Maybe she thinks the Games will be a distraction from accomplishing real and lasting improvements to Chicago. I am also from Chicago and I do want the Games here. Truth is that the City is deeply divided on this issue.

[ohbeehave]

12:12 PM on 10/01/2009

How do you derive that from her comment? Perhaps she merely wants the selection criteria to consider we have hosted the summer Olympics recently and Rio has never had that opportunity. Let's not become hoggish and impetuous, but graceful in our ability to see the need for other countries to experience the economic benefit of hosting an Olympics, as we already have.

[ElsaIndy]

08:59 AM on 09/30/2009

I think Rio will get it because South America has never had the Olympics. It probably would be great fun down there. However it would be great publicity for Chicago. I only worry that Chicago would be stuck with a huge debt especially if they are going to make that island in Lake Michigan. Chicago could use the short term jobs and revenue as well.