Chicago Still in the Running for Olympic Bid

As you know, I’ve been following the city’s effort to bring the Olympic Games to the Windy City in 2016. Chicago was one of five cities that wanted to bid on being host of the 2016 Games, along with Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston and Philadelphia.

After making its initial presentation to the U.S. Olympic Committee last month, Mayor Daley received good news yesterday: Chicago made the cut, remaining in the running along with the two California cities.

The USOC liked the potential dramatic effect the lakefront would provide during the Olympics.
But city officials still have a lot of work to do. Questions remain about the infrastructure and long-term plans for any facilities that need to be built. USOC officials said however that some of the plans the city has does not meet international standards.

I would think LA is the leading candidate, having hosted the Olympics on two previous occasions. Much of the infrastructure and facilities are already in place, which means their city does not have to put forth as much time, money or energy in providing the services that are required.

San Francisco with its location near the ocean also provides a dramatic backdrop to the Olympic Games. Like Chicago, it has never hosted an Olympics either.

The next deadline is next March when the city officials must present its final plans to the USOC. By then the city must know how it will construct a stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies, the athletes’ village, and other venues.

Sources: Chicago Tribune, USOC