Chicago Blues

Rio de Janeiro's selection to host the 2016 Olympics means the games will take place for the first time in South America. Meanwhile the surprise of the day was that Chicago was eliminated in the first round, perhaps due to bloc voting or anti-American sentiment.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva made a powerful pitch to the International Olympic Committee, "Rio will deliver an unforgettable Games. You will see for yourselves the passion, the energy and the creativity of the Brazilian people." He stressed that South America had never hosted an Olympics and, "Rio is ready. Give us this chance and you will not regret it."

Chicago's elimination on the first round elicited a huge gasp from the thousands of Chicagoans gathered downtown to watch the announcement. The Chicago team worked years preparing a thoroughly detailed and imaginative proposal. All of the Olympic venues would have been located near each other in the heart of the city, many along the spectacular lakefront. The government would back all of the costs associated with presenting the games. An outstanding array of corporate sponsors had been lined up, many of them global powerhouses. Central transportation, hotels and infrastructure were unsurpassed by the other bidders.

The Chicago delegation delivered a very strong and polished presentation. First Lady Michelle Obama spoke from the heart about the city of her birth, "I never dreamed that the Olympic flame might one day light up lives in my neighborhood... But today... I am dreaming of an Olympic and Paralympic Games in Chicago that will light up lives in neighborhoods all across America and all across the world." President Obama, whose Chicago home would have been a short walk from the games, said, "To host athletes and visitors from every corner of the globe is a high honor and a great responsibility... And America is ready and eager to assume that sacred trust."

But apparently the Olympic judges were not eager to give their trust to the Americans. And there were signs that the American delegation may have been over-confident. In the official question-and-answer session following the Chicago presentation, Syed Shahid Ali, an I.O.C. member from Pakistan, asked how smooth it would be for foreigners to enter the United States for the Olympics because doing so can sometimes, he said, be "a rather harrowing experience."

President Obama had no choice but to travel to Copenhagen. To not do so would have opened him up to criticism as the leaders of the other contending countries made the trip to make their pitch in person. By most accounts the Obamas were well received, "There is no evidence other than a positive reaction to their presence," said one official. But immediately following the announcement right-wing commentators and web sites in the U.S. attacked Obama. The Drudge Report headline read, "THE EGO HAS LANDED, WORLD REJECTS OBAMA: CHICAGO OUT IN FIRST ROUND."

The fact that a South American country has never hosted an Olympics was a very compelling argument. And Rio is one of the world's most beautiful and romantic cities. There was plenty of reason for judges to be sentimental about Rio. On the other hand, no doubt many judges probably savored having the opportunity to reject America's bid. Despite President Obama's popularity there are strong anti-America feelings around the world based on its perceived role in the global economic collapse, its invasion of Iraq and the previous administration's "go it alone" policies.

Ironically, the city most known for its hardball politics couldn't overcome the internal politics of the Olympic Committee to make it past the first round. As one IOC member said, "The whole thing doesn't make sense other there has been a stupid bloc vote."

 

Follow Joe Peyronnin on Twitter: www.twitter.com/joepeyronnin

Comments

[notboring]

Reminds me of Godfather 3. Not a good pic, but it was an interesting premise that even ruthless Micheal Corleone was undone by the far older and wicked forces of Europe. The Vatican in the movie, the IOC in real life. Nice to see Daley put in his place. Besides, Chicago had no real enthusiasm for the event compared to the Brazilians. In this case, Evil Old European Powers made the right call!

[rlugbill]

The IOC likes to move the Olympics to different continents. South America had never had the Olympics before. North America had had numerous Olympics. Rio was at a huge advantage. As long as Rio put in a good bid and it looked like they could pull off a good Olympics, they would win. Chicago had an uphill battle just because of all the prior Olympics in North America.

[mergina]

Chicago blues? Haaaaaaa. Three out of four Chicagoans that I know are happy as can be that the games were not awarded to the politicians that rule in Chicago.

[47th]

I hear ya! I think most Chicagoans know that we won big yesterday. Daley and his cronies lost, but the people of Chicago won.

[Froggie99]

One TV commentator stated that he heard a rumour that the voting was skewed; they were so convinced that the US would place at least second from the top, and therefore didn't see the need to vote for them in the first round of voting. But the math didn't work, and the US was tossed out prematurely.

But it's also true that the world view of the US has darkened a lot. You can blame Bush and his abrasive policies, you can blame the excessive greed of the Wall Street capitalists, you can blame the excessive security measures against anyone coming into the country, or you can blame the lousy image Chicago has in the rest of the world. Too many wrongs don't make a right.

Both Obamas did their best, they can't be faulted for trying.

[paulfromportland]

One other thing which did not help Chicago was the attempt by the USOC to develop their own Olympic TV Network. The Spanish Elder was responsible for developing huge TV contracts for the Olympics. So, you think the IOC wanted the USOC to keep their spoils? He was rewarded for his efforts in bringing the Olympics to Barcelona in '92. He had no further need to aid his own country except for giving lip service to a "plea" for Madrid. He is not very friendly with the present government, no matter what the King may have wanted. The voting by the IOC has, always, been about back room deals, such as SLC.

[itznotabtme]

Our president should have sent delegates in his place. He has an over-abundance of pressing problems here to deal with. The rest of the world would look at this as being the responsible and selfless civil servant President Obama was elected to be. Unfortunately, President Obama's behavior, and eloquence have proven time and time again that he has an unhealthy ego. Because he is our president, we are all going to suffer the consequences of his egotistical behavior, empty (though eloquent) speech, lack of experience and leadership, and corrupt connections and associations.

[fem56]

The failure had nothing to do with Obama and I bet in anyone's saner moments they would realize that. President Obama was gone for one day and this country cannot expect to overcome the arrogance of the past eight years in a few short months. Your comments are eloquent but incorrect. Besides Brazil is a great, fun place to hold the Olympics

[nk007]

You are echoing right wing talking points of: Drudge, Beck, Limbaugh, Malkin, and The Weekly Standard. This is not about the President's "Ego." All Heads of States of the countries vying to host the Olympics showed up. If President Obama had not shown up to plead for Chicago, you probably would have been criticizing him, claiming that his "ego" would not allow him to spare a few hours to go to Copenhagen, like the other heads of sates, to fight on behalf of the U.S. Obviously, anything that President Obama does is pounced on by rightists. I never imagined that a President would be vilified for trying to bring the Olympic games to the United States. Moreover, I never imagined that Americans would cheer and celebrate the fact that a U.S. city lost a bid to host Olympic games. Today I learned two lessons from right wingers: Anything that President Obama does, even if it is beneficial to the United States, must be opposed; and, any thing that President Obama does that is not successful, though his success might have been beneficial to the united states, must be cheered and celebrated used to denigrate him. Clearly, the priority (or the bottom line) for rightists is that all means should be employed to ensure that President Obama,"FAILS!" Ultimately, for the right wing Republicans, destroying Obama, even it means destroying the interests of the vast majority of Americans, is the most important cause..

[hfreedom]

I'm sorry, in my previous comment I sad ALL republicans-that was so wrong! But, many of their leadership and party are celebrating.

[hfreedom]

I agree, congrats to Brazil! However, it is so sad to see all republicans celebrating at the loss of Chicago. I am from Dallas, TX and I feel nothing but sadness for them because they didn't loose alone, we as a country lost the bid. When are the republicans going to get it-

WE, the PEOPLE...
One nation under God...
All men are created equal..
A house divided cannot stand...

I thought in a democracy, the majority won. Not in the US, money wins. Foriegn countries see this and that is why Chicago, as deserving as they were, did not get the bid. All they see if the lying and bickering. Even I get scared with all the new rising of anarchist. What do the republicans want? Oh, yeah, POWER! at the expense of a great country.

I am so sad......

[FrenchWomenDont]

YAY the President FAILED You guys should be HAPPY now!!

[Lib2daBone]

B-R-I-C Brazil Russia India China are the new economy. The rest of the world see what is going on in this country.

Due to the Lobbyists and our corrupt CONgress.. the USA may not even exist by the time of the Olympics.

[RichardD]

Its more like CRIB - China, Russia, India, Brazil.
New Economies about to run jump and play - all on their own - without Big Brother.

[MrsFonebone]

"The Ego has landed." I missed that--it's hilarious. And also true. They mainly talked about themselves--especially Mrs. Obama. But it's not about them. They think everything is about them, only now they see--one hopes--that isn't true.

[nk007]

The fact that the President and his wife were not successful does not diminish their courage tof sticking their necks out to fight for the United States to host olympic games. As an American I would have been proud of Chicago hosting Olympic games; just as I was proud when Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Salt Lake City hosted them, though I didn't reside in those cities. Idiots who think this is about the egos of the President and the First lady (rightists never call Michelle the First Lady) are just projecting their hatred. Before 9/11 right wingers demonized New York City. All of a sudden, when they could use the terrorist attacks on New York City for political reasons, they embraced the city; choosing it for the 2004 Republican Convention. For right wingers, Chicago, home of the President and First Lady, is the demonized city de jour. What a spectacle to see the so called PATRIOTS cheering and celebrating because an American city lost a bid to host the Olympics! Watching the gloating of Limbaugh and Beck, and the cheering from the Weekly Standard, I couldn't help but wonder: how these people, who hate the Obamas so much, would react if, God forbid, Chicago, or any other city, was attacked by terrorists? I wouldn't be surprised if the likes of Limbaugh, Beck, Drudge, Hannity, Bachmann, cheered/celebrated any terror attacks on Obama's watch; to these people such attacks would prove that Obama should not be President.

[paulfromportland]

Whatever Samaranch wants, Samaranch gets - Even though "His Excellency" has retired, he still calls the shots. Franco's flunky now has his bureaucratic flunky in Rogge. Rogge of the "No censorship" sellout to the powers in Beijing. Someone mentioned we held the winter games in SLC in 2002. Oh, yes, the "Let's Make a Deal Games", where Rep Hansen of Utah made a fortune. Samaranch loves the US, so much, he refused to congratulate the organizers of the Atlanta games, at the end of the games. Sammy, his "Excellency" wanted Rio, so, he made a deal with many in Africa to vote for Tokyo, instead of Chicago. 35 said they would vote for Chicago, however, only 18 followed through. This knocked out both. Do not be surprised to see the Summer Games go to Africa in 2016.

This was rigged from the very beginning. It mattered not what the High Humidity in August Chicago folks did. It mattered not what Obama did. Now, Rogge can throw another snit fit if any athlete has a Boltlike celebration, ala Beijing. The upper reaches of the IOC has reeked for decades.

[happykiddo]

Samarach made a plea to the IOC to have the games in MADRID. NOT BRAZIL. so get a clue before you post.

[paulfromportland]

Making a plea for his home country is not the same as, ultimately, controlling the votes. The IOC is not a democracy. His Excellency is no different from others at the top of the IOC. Money talks. Look at his background. Conservative authoritarian of the Franco school.

[paulfromportland]

Africa in 2020.

[perk]

I believe it is inappropriate for the US to even make a bid. There are far too many countries, and continents that have never hosted the games. Brazil is the perfect choice. A good strategy for the US would have been to back a deserving country like Brasil in its bid early on.

Given the number of games that have been held in the US in the past, and the outcomes lately ( bribe scandal in Utah 2002 , bombing in Atlanta 1996 ) it was rude and presumptuous of a US city to seek the games, to say nothing of the President's unseemly activity to promote it on behalf of unions and real estate developers from Chicago.

[ShakeYourComplacency]

First of all, why am I just finding out that ALL of the presidents from other countries made the trip? Why wasn't this publicized? Because even to me, I was scratching my head thinking, why is is personally going over there? Why is he getting involved in a matter like that when the economy and middle east is in shambles? Well, because everyone went and he was obligated to. And that's what should have been broadcast by the media.

Once again, team Obama dropped the ball on the media circuit. He should have had flooded the tv news shows with people giving his side of it. The GOP is chipping away, tarnishing his image. They think that if they can eliminate Obama, the face of the party becomes Pelosi and Reid, who they feel they can beat (and regularly trash). And if the GOP can minimize the health care plan into something insignificant and not a piece of major, beneficial legislation, then they've defeated the entire party.

I am beginning to care a little less over who wins the next election, because frankly I'm disappointed in the vigor of this administration in fighting for a public option, in handling wall street, and backing away from the issues I care about, but still, I wouldn't like a facist and dogmatic party like the GOP taking control of the government yet again.

[masslass]

I'm with on you every point! They just seem to be tone deaf. This whole thing about Obama spreading himself too thin.- This is what a president is SUPPOSED to be doing. He's a big boy- he can handle it! The media seems to think that "clearing brush" is actual work and being president is over doing things!
This administration needs to put the gloves on and start fighting this crap before it's too late.

[rabrophy]

Just on the human level:
Would you rather spent an all-expense-paid week in Roi or Chicago?

There is a lot of "dead time" in Olympic coverage, so a lot of local color videos:
would you rather see slow video pans of the bathing beaches of Rio or Chicago?