If Chicago got the 2016 Olympics (2012 edition)

I've been thinking lately about the various politically related stories coming out of the London -- whether it's Mitt putting his foot in his mouth, or (much more interestingly) the criticism surrounding a number of measures taken by officials to make the games a success. Then it struck me -- if Chicago had gotten the 2016 Olympics, that would seriously affect how the US media reports on the event, since it may offer an election year window into what Chicago (and, to an extent, the US) has to look forward to four years in the future.

So how about it -- say roughly the same stuff, Olympics related, were happening in a TL where the US is next in line; how might the Olympics be covered differently?
 

Kosta

Banned
I've been thinking lately about the various politically related stories coming out of the London -- whether it's Mitt putting his foot in his mouth, or (much more interestingly) the criticism surrounding a number of measures taken by officials to make the games a success. Then it struck me -- if Chicago had gotten the 2016 Olympics, that would seriously affect how the US media reports on the event, since it may offer an election year window into what Chicago (and, to an extent, the US) has to look forward to four years in the future.

So how about it -- say roughly the same stuff, Olympics related, were happening in a TL where the US is next in line; how might the Olympics be covered differently?

Our taxes would increase tenfold, traffic would be more of a nightmare than it will be with that new proposed speed-camera school-zone spiel, and politicians would be skimming off the top and a few years later we'd go broke with useless stadiums. It'd only make the city shittier.
 
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I think the IOC's distaste for our country is a blessing in disguise. There is not much to gain from having the Olympics in a US city, particularly an already established city like Chicago.

I don't really see why London wanted it. It's already well-known as one of the greatest cities in the world. People want to live there, visit there, and do business there. I see the Olympics increasingly going to large cities in "newly industrialized" countries (Rio is a perfect example). The IOC doesn't want medium-sized cities for summer olympics and in developed countries those are the ones who could benefit from hosting. Chicago isn't quite London on the world stage, but it does well. It doesn't need the attention so the Olympics would be nothing but a hassle. Chicago already had it's coming out party in 1893, it doesn't need to beg for attention now.

EDIT: All that aside, I don't think it would have been a complete disaster or anything. I think London is doing a good job too, from what I see at least. Locals would be annoyed with the Chicago Olympics, but they would put on a hell of a show and it would attract some extra attention from overseas. It would also cost a lot.

Any idea on where the village would be built? I don't know Chicago real well, but it seems pretty built out. Tear down some South Side projects and cram in a mall and a bunch condos?
 
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Kosta

Banned
Would there be anything for Chicago to gain from the Olympics or would it just cause a mess?

Nope, nothing. It's a kiss of death for its cities, and we already have enough problems with the concept of what belongs to an alderman or a mayor and what doesn't. Everyone decries Rio as being a cesspool of corruption and theft, but I don't think they thought to look at the runner-up. http://news.ie.msn.com/olympics-kiss-of-death-cities-before-and-after-the-games-123#image=2
 
hmm...well, Chicago is Barack Obama's home city. Imagine what it would be like for him to open the Olympics Games right there, assuming he wins the 2012 US Presidential Election.
 
What intrigues me is, first, how Chicago getting the Olympics affects US politics (esp the 2012 election), and second, how said political changes affect US coverage of the 2012 Olympics.

The image of Tea Party protesters likening London and Chicago's games to the "freedom killing games of Berlin and Beijing". :rolleyes: To say nothing of Romney's candidacy...
 
I think the IOC's distaste for our country is a blessing in disguise. There is not much to gain from having the Olympics in a US city, particularly an already established city like Chicago...

Well, NBC would've probally loved a Chicago Olympics for rating purposes they seem happy enough that Rio is only an hour ahead of the East Coast so they'll be able to get the Opening & Closing ceremonies in prime time and air events live.
 
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