# Olympics in Chicago? Does Obama want it? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 14, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052 "2009-09-14T17:38:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JesmanVA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@JesmanVA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JesmanVA)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/1 "2009-09-14T17:38:23Z")
It’s down to Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, Tokyo and Chicago for 2016. MICHELLE Obama is being sent on behalf of the US? Very interesting debate: [http://www.eeekonomy.com/discussion/Without-the-President-is-Chicago-Passing-the-Torch-/40](http://www.eeekonomy.com/discussion/Without-the-President-is-Chicago-Passing-the-Torch-/40) ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/2 "2009-09-14T17:43:45Z")
An Olympics in the USA in 2016 would be a wonderful end to his Presidency. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/3 "2009-09-14T17:44:06Z")
I’m not sure if there is a factual question here. In any case, this is probably better suited for The Game Room than GQ. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/4 "2009-09-14T18:18:10Z")
Over the last 30 years, the Olympic Committee has given either the summer or winter games to the US at least once per decade (1980, 1984, 1996, 2002). By 2016 we’d be due for another one, so really, the competition is Chicago’s to lose. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/5 "2009-09-14T18:36:23Z")
Obama probably wants it for Chicago, but with an economic crisis, a few wars and a health care debate going on, it is not a priority and he realizes he would be lambasted if he took time out to push this in person. Daley and others were allegedly pressing him to do it himself and Michelle was his compromise (or ‘this is all you get’) offer. Until recently it was _not_ common for heads of state to push for the Olympics themselves. Putin did it recently, and his presentation in English is credited as a reason Russia got the winter games in 2014. There’s no reason Obama is obliged to go over there and shill for the Olympics himself, and in all honesty there’s little reason for him to bother. Chicago would still be trying for the games if he wasn’t president; they put their bid together years ago. Chicago wants the Olympics for the prestige, but that’s about the only reason to want the Olympics. It’s a nightmare for locals and I’m pretty sure it’s a money loser. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/6 "2009-09-14T19:54:24Z")
I would bet Obama would want the Olympics for Pigs Knuckle, Iowa, if it were offered. Of course our President wants the Olympics in the States. Every two years if possible. Hell every week if possible. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/7 "2009-09-15T00:07:04Z")
It was reported that the IOC was not too happy about Atlanta. I believe one thing they did not like was downtown Atlanta was turned into a giant T-shirt , hat, pin,etc. vending area. They shut down a lot of streets and filled them with people selling all kinds of stuff. I think a lot of those guys are gone now so that might not matter. I’m sure Chicago has a great shot but South America has never had an Olympics so Rio might win based on that. It seems the favorite doesn’t always get the games such as Paris in 2012 and Athens in 96 - they had to wait until 2004. ---
**Author:** ![Notassmartasithought](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c0e974/32.png) [@Notassmartasithought](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Notassmartasithought)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/8 "2009-09-15T00:29:20Z")
Sure he wants it. But think–no US president has ever traveled to kowtow for this sort of event, nor should one. Lula da Silva, Hatoyama, and Putin can if they want–it shows that the Olympics is the sort of issue they find compelling for their countries. The Olympics is nice for the United States, but not compelling; a United States venue is probably more important for the Olympics than the Olympics is for the United States. That said, short of traveling to the International Olympic Committee meeting, the President has a variety of ways of showing an interest–writing a letter, making a phone call or two, perhaps an invitation to spend the night in the Lincoln bedroom–all kinds of ways. But what way is more powerful than allowing Michelle to represent Chicago? It maintains the dignity of the presidency, makes the President look like he’s not going to get distracted, but at the same time shows how important the Chicago bid is to him–he’s not sending a letter, he’s sending his wife, the First Lady. I think it’s the best he could do. Oh, and **Marley** , the LA Olympics turned a profit, the Atlanta Olympics, according to Wiki ([1996 Summer Olympics - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Olympics)), showed a profit short of additional security and the cities investment in non-Olympic specific infrastructure (projects timed for the Olympics, but that would have eventually had to be done anyway—roads, airport, an urban park, etc). Chicago is doing some very smart things, like expanding the bid to the region–I think the rowing and some sailing will be in Madison, Wisconsin, for instance. I’d say if nothing else it will be a pretty good stimulant for the entire Midwest from now til 2016, and we need it. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/9 "2009-09-15T02:00:54Z")
IIRC, there were complaints among IOC members that the Atlanta organizers had downplayed the severity of the city’s summer heat, humidity and air pollution to land the games there. Similar rumblings were heard about Beijing last year. I agree with **Notassmartasithought** as to the wisdom of sending the First Lady. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/10 "2009-09-15T03:42:41Z")
Well this is good news for me. I live in Chicago, and I do NOT want the Olympics polluting my back yard. We have more than enough tourists, foreigners, and traffic already. Not to mention debt. No need to add more to the mix…TRM ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/11 "2009-09-15T03:43:27Z")
Yeah, to the extent that the First Lady has a job, this sort of thing is it. She represents the country in purely symbolic measures, like lobbying for the Olympics or attending VIP funerals that the President is too busy for. It’s a way of sparing the President these duties, but without opening up the possibility of any sort of perceived insult. ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/12 "2009-09-15T04:04:00Z")
Whatever happened to the proud American tradition of bribery, graft and kickbacks to secure the honor of hosting the Olympic Games? It’s Chicago for god’s sake. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/13 "2009-09-15T04:11:23Z")
> [@pricciar](#): > > Whatever happened to the proud American tradition of bribery, graft and kickbacks to secure the honor of hosting the Olympic Games? It’s Chicago for god’s sake. Dude, why do you think he’s sending Michelle? If anyone knows Obama’s personal techniques for bribery, graft and kickbacks, it’s his own wife. Not to mention that a female showing some skin will get a lot accomplished singlehandedly. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/14 "2009-09-15T15:16:46Z")
And if that doesn’t work, she can challenge the other heads of state to an armwrestling match. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/15 "2009-09-15T16:32:43Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Yeah, to the extent that the First Lady has a job, this sort of thing is it. She represents the country in purely symbolic measures, like lobbying for the Olympics or attending VIP funerals that the President is too busy for. It’s a way of sparing the President these duties, but without opening up the possibility of any sort of perceived insult. Good point. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/16 "2009-09-15T18:19:30Z")
I guess it helps that she is a native of Chicago so she gets more credibility from that. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/17 "2009-09-15T18:21:30Z")
For the people of Chicago, maybe, but I doubt the members of the IOC know or care whether she’s a native. ---
**Author:** ![Stringer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Stringer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringer)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/18 "2009-09-15T18:28:05Z")
If Obama actually cared about Chicago and its economy, he would not want the Olympics to come here. It will be a complete disaster for Chicago if we get the Olympics. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/19 "2009-09-15T18:29:57Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Over the last 30 years, the Olympic Committee has given either the summer or winter games to the US at least once per decade (1980, 1984, 1996, 2002). By 2016 we’d be due for another one, so really, the competition is Chicago’s to lose. I would have though that Rio would be a very strong contender as well. There has been only one Olympics in the whole of Latin America and that was 40 years ago in Mexico City. Obama could give Chicago the edge though, if in fact he wants it. ---
**Author:** ![sugar\_and\_spice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@sugar\_and\_spice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugar_and_spice)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052/20 "2009-09-15T19:59:38Z")
Obama spoke at a 2016 rally in Chicago last summer, after he got the nomination. Here’s the [cite](http://www.suntimes.com/sports/olympics/992256,oly060608.stng). He even makes the quip about renting out his house, which is spitting distance from the proposed Olympic Stadium site. Remember Michelle used to do community relations work at U Chicago Hospitals (also spitting distance from the stadium), and was a VP when she quit during the campaign. She’s somewhat qualified in her own right to advocate for bringing the games to the South Side. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympics-in-chicago-does-obama-want-it/510052.md?page=2)