A collective shadow of sadness and shock fell over the crowd. "Wow," people repeated. "Unbelievable." "So sad."I was born in Chicago and lived there for 5 years as an adult. It's a great city, filled with great people. I don't agree with Chicago politics at all. But there's no excuse for schadenfreude. I live in the Midwest and there's no advantage to the largest city in the area being brought low.
"This is just one collective hurt" said Henry McGee Jr, 52, and a small business owner who lives near Washington Park. "I'm really stunned. I thought it would be such a boom for the African-American community."
Under the big top at Washington Park, contortionists and clowns warmed up before the Universoul Circus, which was hosting a viewing party near the proposed Olympic stadium.
A man in a Bears jacket made a slashing motion on his neck.
"It's over," he said.
"I'm shocked," said Natalie McKnight, 29. "I thought with Barack being the chief spokesman, we were going to get it."
I would hope that the organizers in Chicago would simply wipe off the dirt and get back to work. There are other opportunities available.
11 comments:
I'd be shocked if the Olympics aren't going to Rio. There's never been an Olympics in South America. It's time that changes.
I feel sorry for Chicago, but they will have other chances to get the games....
That's how I see it, too, anon.
A favorable time zone as well for Rio. Not too bad of a flight from the US either.
When would the Summer Olympics be held in South America?
Ya'll were right about Rio, I'm hearing. (Honestly, I was rooting for Rio.) I think it's strange how shocked and devastated people are about Chicago losing - maybe it's just the media sensationalizing. Anyway, we had Atlanta, we had SLC, both quite recently, and Spain had Barcelona. I'm not surprised.
"Politicians sit yourself down,
There's nothing for you here
Won't you please come to Chicago
For a ride?"
I guess not.
My bet is that with the ongoing death toll in Chicago it had about as much chance of winning the bid as Juarez, Mexico.
Maybe it's because I grew up in the NFC Central, but seeing Chicago brought low doesn't bother me one bit. I think if it was actually a matter of importance (instead of municipal pride) then I would be more tender-hearted. And I'm with Amanda (stop the presses!), Rio seems like a fantastic spot.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but Rio getting the Olympics is bullcrap. In my opinion, Brazil is not a country that is ready to host the 2014 World Cup, then host the 2016 Olympics. Mark my words, the 2016 Games are not going to go well...not two years after the World Cup. The IOC made a mistake, and I think part of the reason they did was to thumb their nose at the USOC.
I am devastated that Chicago is not getting the Olympics. Not only was the greatest city in the Midwest going to be in the world spotlight, a little bit of that light would have shined on Wisconsin, giving my home state some positive attention it really deserves. The other reason I really wanted this is because it would have put the kibosh on any potential bid from the Twin Cities, which does not deserve the Olympics.
The Olympics have NEVER been held in South America! The Olympics have been held in the United States Several times. The United States is one of many countries in the world.
Chicago obviously wasn't that impressive with their bid or they wouldn't have been beaten out in the first round. Drop your America First arrogance and let Brazi have their time in the sun. They are an emerging nation, and their time has come.
By the way, this is written by a generally conservative person, not someone who engages in Obamaespque appeasement and apologies.
I can't believe George Bush cost Chicago the Olympics.
Anon, I roll my eyes at your moral posturing. There are very few places in the world that could really deal with hosting the World Cup, then the Olympics two years later. I doubt most cities in the US could do it, so don't give me your holier-than-thou routine. It's not about America first, it's about putting the two biggest sporting events in the world in the same place within two years of each other. So spare me, alright?
Your line about George Bush is either incredibly stupid or incredibly unfunny, depending on what you are trying to accomplish. IMO, Chicago not getting the Olympics has nothing to do with him. If you actually read some of the articles surrounding this announcement, one of the problems with Chicago's bid was with the USOC.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-olympics-hersh-04-oct04,0,7643606.column
Read that...that was a big problem.
"...the greatest city in the Midwest..."
*cue elvis*
On a cold and grey Chicago morning...
...
...In the Ghetto.
...
...he learns how to steal and he learns how to fight...
...
...In the Ghetto.
Wow, I didn't stop back here to read the rest of the comments until now. I was well on my way toward being blown out of the water upon finding myself in agreement with WBP on something :) and then I read all this passion from Mike.
Mike, I won't pretend to have had any awareness of where the World Cup will be held, or why that would be detrimental to the Olympics, and I respect your desire to bring the Olympics to Chicago and shed some attention on Wisconsin, but holy crap. Why all the hatred toward the Twin Cities? Minneapolis counts you as a resident, employs you - Minneapolis educated you. You're not wrong to feel anyway you want, but it makes me feel sad to read that you seem to not like our city very much (well, I guess it's your city now more than mine, but it still feels like home to me).
Aside from that, more importantly, why would the Twin Cities not "deserve" the Olympics?!
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