Chicago hoping for Obama booster in Olympics bid

[BlueJessamine]

Source: AFP

BEIJING (AFP) — Should Barack Obama win the US presidential election it would be a huge plus for Chicago's bid to win the right to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, its bid chief told AFP.

Pat Ryan said that both Obama and his Republican rival John McCain were supporting the bid as indeed had President George W Bush and his father former president George Bush.

However, Ryan admitted that being a senator for Illinois Obama could not but help if he were elected in November to succeed the younger Bush.

"All the presidential candidates supported our bid," Ryan told AFP.

"Obviously if you have a hometown kid as president it has its advantages.



Read more: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iUHWbdN73HufTuIkc3wLnf-Fk_5Q

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IOC bitterness runs deep towards McCain:

'a well placed IOC source also told AFP that were McCain to be elected it could come at a heavy price for Chicago's hopes as he is not fondly remembered by many IOC members for chairing the Congressional hearings on the Salt Lake City corruption scandal over how they won the 2002 Winter Games.'

McCain's committee eventually accused the IOC of creating a 'culture of corruption'.

"There is a lot of bitterness among IOC members towards McCain," said the source.

[2Design]

1. I would rather it be international - with a dragonian entrance requirements to get into the usa

this would not be good - too many rejected for wrong reasons, with the government spying on ordinary people, required fingerprinting just all spells disaster - until we become a nation that supports human rights and people, I prefer some other country get this bid

[alcibiades_mystery]

2. Maybe they should focus on ensuring that people don't get shot in The Loop during major events

:-)

[bluestateguy]

3. I sure hope Chicago gets the games

And I take a dim view to those who are trying to stand in the way with their petty political and special interest bullshit.

[Mudoria]

4. Chicago hasn't got better things to spend it's

taxpayer's money on than bloated Olympic stadia and venues? I didn't realize the city was that well off.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

5. Well... I'll vote for Obama anyway.

I love this town but Chicago really couldn't handle hosting the Olympics.
You can't get anywhere now. We've got the highest sales tax in the country and we still can't make ends meet. Also, non-Chicagoans should remember that on days when O'Hare gets f***ed up, every airport in the country gets f***ed up-- don't figure on flying anywhere the month the Olympics are here.