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.

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Comments

[USA2Sense]

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]

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

[naschkatze]

Argentina? Have I missed something?

[KIVPossum]

They should give the nod to Rio.

[The Professor]

I agree, it should be Rio.

[sonoffestus]

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]

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

[ohbeehave]

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]

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]

Chi town!!

[Lakesideboy]

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]

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

[47th]

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]

the polls are fixed, just like the elections in Chicago

[itsamessi]

It has to be Rio.

[Totto]

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

[chedet]

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

[Cogs]

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

[GAPeach99]

Okay, but could we let the shotputers wear clothes?

[ohbeehave]

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

[PoliticalAmazon]

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]

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

[PoliticalAmazon]

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]

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]

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.

[mratcheson]

Um, seriously, have you ever been to Chicago?

[Lynn Voedisch - Huffpost Blogger]

We had one of the coolest summers ever this year. Some call it the non-summer. Hot and miserable, huh?
Slums are not "concentrated around downtown." That is completely laughable. There is gentrification going on everywhere. Housing projects have been torn down. Bad areas are confined to the South and West Sides.
Crime in Rio is much, much higher. And the air is only bad in certain downtown areas and can be swept out with a lake breeze within instants--unlike cities like L.A. or Mexico City, which sit in a bowl and trap the toxic gases. Tokyo is another city that has a problem with trapped bad air.
And someone already gave you the financial specifics of how the Olympics will be paid for by donors.

I agree with the many others that it sounds like you've never been here.

[imperio]

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]

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]

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.

[ohbeehave]

I'm with you based solely on the moral stance that it's Rio's turn. Selection needs to be no more complicated than that. I hope the selection criteria is weighted heavily by that fact alone.

[KoiPondering]

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

[BVictor1]

Well you certainly lack any hometown pride.

[ejhickey]

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]

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]

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.