Friday, October 2, 2009

It's Rio!

Wow! The reactions to the failure of Chicago to secure the 2016 Olympics is all over the map. To some on the left, it was a holdover of the world's anger toward America after 8 years of Bush, Iraq and Afghanistan. No doubt, Keith Olbermann will proclaim on his show tonight that it was Bush's fault. To others on the right, it is a rejection of Obama. Some say it's racist. Rush Limbaugh is ecstatic because it's a defeat for the "Anointed One". David Axelrod says it's politics. Others say, the recent video-taped beating death of a 16-year-old honor student by a group of gang-bangers was the final straw. All in all, the efforts of the Obamas and Oprah Winfrey to travel to Denmark and plead Chicago's case has ended in abject failure. Once again, the city of Chicago gets its heart broken in the world of sports. Why?

(Maybe Rio gave more goodies to the judges.)

I personally feel that the gang-related death in Chicago was a factor-or should have been a factor. In addition, a lot has come out in recent days about the culture of corruption in Chicago and the suspicious land deal surrounding a would-be Olympic stadium and village. As much as I love Chicago myself, there is no doubt a bad side to the city that may have weighed in on the judges' decision.

(Or maybe Rio gave more goodies to the judges.)

Actually, all things considered, Rio may be the right choice as Tokyo has had an Olympics and the US and Europe have had plenty. South America has never had an Olympics, so I think that was a legitimate factor. Of course, when it comes to violent crime, Rio can certainly hold a candle to the Windy City. It is arguably South America's most crime-ridden city, though by the day the Olympics open the bad guys may have all mysteriously "disappeared".

As for Chicago, I think it would be better for the city to divert its resources to trying to clean up its corruption and the gangs who go around hitting other kids on the head with railroad ties. Having the Olympics won't cure that ill.

Frankly, I am not a fan of the Olympics simply because the particular sports do not excite me. I could care less who can run fastest, who can swim fastest and who can throw a bowling ball the farthest. On the other hand, with Rio being the host city, I may be convinced to turn on the TV once or twice.

Rio! Why, of course, the perfect choice
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4 comments:

  1. FindalisOctober 2, 2009 at 8:34 PM

    I was thrilled to see Rio get it. Can you imagine beach volleyball in regulation Rio bikinis? Or what the opening ceremonies will be like. Interesting might not be the word.

    The killing of not one promising young men at the hands of gangs (no one will come forward to divulge the culprits in either case) must have been a factor, combine that with corruption in City Hall and Obama's speech in which the word humility is not known, and Chicago was bound to lose the bid.

    The first round kick in the pants might have been to Michelle Obama who let it slip that the fix was in the night before.

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  2. Gary FouseOctober 3, 2009 at 9:21 AM

    Findalis,

    I heard Obama's presentaion was mostly about himself. What did Michelles say the night before?

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  3. FindalisOctober 3, 2009 at 9:52 AM

    It was reported in the Rio papers that Michelle turned to the President of Brazil's wife and said to her: "I have been informed by members of the IOC that they have already made their choice. It is Chicago. You should just leave now."

    Funny how that worked out. I wonder who told her that.

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  4. Gary FouseOctober 3, 2009 at 12:44 PM

    If true, so much for Obama improving our foreign relations.

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