2016 Summer Olympics: Rio is a Mortal Lock!

[Gwereeya]

And not because of Kevin Lynch's "Chicagoans for Rio" website. Nor is it due to any polls conducted in the Windy City.

There is, however, a political reason. Specifically, a geopolitical one:

South America has never hosted an Olympiad, summer or winter.

They're due.

Bet on it!

[CTyankee]

1. I really don't think Obama would fly to Copenhagen w/o it being a lock for Chicago.

It would make him look foolish, spending the money and time for nothing.

[ShortnFiery]

3. President Obama is the leader of OUR Country, not The President of the World. eom

[CTyankee]

Don't get me wrong. I like Rio and think SA is neglected.

All I am saying is that it doesn't seem realistic that he would make the trip if he weren't damn sure Chicago was getting the nod. Of course, he MAY have other reasons for taking the trip but honestly, during this Iran crisis and health care reform, I just don't think he would do it otherwise...

[CTyankee]

7. Don't get me wrong. I like Rio and think SA is neglected.

All I am saying is that it doesn't seem realistic that he would make the trip if he weren't damn sure Chicago was getting the nod. Of course, he MAY have other reasons for taking the trip but honestly, during this Iran crisis and health care reform, I just don't think he would do it otherwise...

[ShortnFiery]

2. I hope you're correct.

:thumbsup:

[kestrel91316]

4. I certainly hope so, and not just because SA has never hosted an Olympics.

My niece is hoping to find work as a translator or interpreter, and is fluent in Spanish AND Portuguese. In addition to speaking French and Hindi very well.

[Craftsman]

5. One of my wife's college friend lives outside of Chicago

She is praying they do not get it. If they do she is saying she and her family will go see family in Mass for the 2 weeks.

[LynneSin]

9. Before they do they should rent their house out for 2 weeks

trust me, it'll pay for the visit to see their family and then some.

[Craftsman]

10. That suggestion has been made.

[Seen the light]

6. Nope, the writing is on the wall. It's Chicago. n/t

[LynneSin]

8. I'd love for it to be Chicago but one day it'll get to South America or Africa

What I think would really be neat is to host the Winter Olympics in Argentina or Chile. They have wonderful skiing in those countries.

[Gwereeya]

11. Let's Review, Shall We?

1980 Winter: Lake Placid, USA
1984 Summer: Los Angeles, USA
1996 Summer: Atlanta, USA
2002 Winter: Salt Lake City, USA

Add to this...

1988 Winter: Calgary, Canada
2000 Summer: Sydney, Australia
2010 Winter: Vancouver, Canada
2012 Summer: London, England

Can you say Anglo?

[quispquake]

12. So, it would be "Southern Hemisphere Summer Olympics"???

Since the summer starts in December in the Southern Hemisphere, would it collide with the Winter Olympics up here? Just curious how it would all work...

[Spike89]

13. Nope, it'd be just like Sydney

If I recall, they held the Sydney Summer Olympics just a bit later in the "summer" than normal (late August?). Anyway, it wasn't really summer at the venue, but they were the summer events. I think for a southern hemisphere location to be in the running, it would need to be sub-tropical at least, so that events like track and field could be held outdoors in at least comfortable conditions.

The hemisphere issue is probably as much to blame for the dominance of the north as anything.

[surrealAmerican]

15. Summer and Winter Olympics are held in different years.

Also, the olympics have been in the southern hemisphere before.

[alcibiades_mystery]

14. I live in Chicago

In the actual city limits.

I hope we get the Olympics. Gonna be a party.

[Thickasabrick]

16. I'm happy for Rio....maybe next time. NT

[kanrok]

17. I hope you're right

I'm a life-long Chicago boy.

I do not want the Olympics in my town.

One: I don't want traffic increased. It's already horrible.

Two: The potential for fraud and corruption is off the charts.

No thanks.