What are you doing today? No, I’m not interested in the parties on frat row. Today is D-Day: the day the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will decide which candidate city gets to claim the 2016 Summer Olympics. Madrid, Rio, Chicago and Tokyo have been working tirelessly to secure the bid since they made the short list on June 4. President Obama sparked controversy when he stated earlier this month he will not be a part of the final hour-long pitch to the members of the IOC but instead send wife Michelle to attend the Copenhagen meeting. Where’s the patriotism? If Obama does in fact skip out today, he will be the first president of a candidate city not to attend the final pitch, angering American’s and potentially crushing the dreams of a magnificent Olympic village in my hometown (and his). If Chicago does secure the 2016 Olympics, it will be an exciting time for many Americans, as the Summer Olympic games will return to the United States for the first time since 1996. So, is Chicago ready?
The city of Chicago, as well as the majority of the U.S., has experienced an extreme economic downturn. Hosting the Olympics would create an immense number of jobs. At a time when citizens are losing their jobs left and right, this is a rare opportunity. Furthermore, with such an internationally proclaimed event as the Olympics, international retail boutiques would be traveling to the Windy City to capitalize on the international spending that would occur prior to and during the summer games. Having grown up a part of a community with two baseball teams, a consistently solid football team and successful basketball and hockey teams, almost every Chicago youngster has witnessed countless athletic events. Chicago does sports. The Olympics would expose Chicagoans to the international community in such a way that only sporting events can provide.
Chicago is already equipped. Aside from the need to create a natatorium for swimming events, a velodrome for cycling and finding proper real estate for an Olympic Village to house athletes, Chicago is close to a ready-made host city. The United Center is perfect for basketball, and the Fire’s stadium for soccer. Gymnastics and wrestling go to the Allstate Arena, while other outdoor events such as field hockey head off to U.S. Cellular Field. Sailing and rowing on Lake Michigan provides a pretty sight for all, and equestrian events gallop off to Arlington Race Track.
For now, we play the waiting game for our questions to be answered. Is Chicago worthy (seek answer above)? Will Obama go to Copenhagen? Will Chicago in fact get the bid? Keep your fingers crossed.
—Quincy Ross is a freshman in Peabody College. She can be reached at quincy.d.ross@vanderbilt.edu.
