The city of Chicago (USA) is one of 4 cities around the world that are being considered to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. I love Chicago and I think it would be a spectacular place to hold the Olympics but aparently after the spectacular opening ceremonies that we all witnessed in Beijing, many locals are second guessing their ability to match or exceed expectations.

This is what some Chicago locals are saying about how their city will match expectations:

-The Jesse White Tumblers and the Bucket Boys, followed by the Parade of Nepotism. Then, to the strains of "Sweet Home Chicago" from an 8-track of the Blues Brothers soundtrack, an impressionistic dance by CPS children dressed up as hotdogs and deep dish pizzas. Finally for the torch lighting, a large plastic cow will kick over a lantern, setting a cauldron shaped like the Chicago skyline ablaze, while a hastily-hired crew on a single barge in Lake Michigan sets off a pyrotechnic display that will put Venetian Night to shame.

-Chicago could come up with an entertaining and creative opening ceremonies on the cheap. There's a LOT of talent here that wouldn't have to practice for 7 years to put on a great show. Beijing's opening, for all it's impressive multitudes and technology, left me a little cold and disinterested. It was kind of like listening to a performance by Lang Lang - brilliant technique and lots of flashy movement that impress the "Hooked on Classics" crowd, but ultimately superficial compared to the true great interpreters. Chicago could show the world something quite different from China's display of benign totalitarianism or fascism with a smiling face.

-Wow, Beijing's OCs were Amazing. London and then WHEN Chicago wins 2016s bid, will have huge shoes to fill. That torch lighting will be remembered way past 2016.
My worst nightmare would be a little sideshow OC with Jim Belushi and Oprah as official Ringleaders. And if the torch relay turns into a Bud Billikin parade II, I will give up on the rest of the games. There better not be a single sausage or pizza race either.

- It would be stupid to even try. I dont have the exact number but I heard they spent over 300 million on that alone. Plus we will have nothing close to the "bird's nest" that added quite a bit to the drama of the ceremony. Having said that, I believe Chicago could have an opening ceremony that would blow us all away and make us all proud. If we get the games, I hope we pull off a ceremony that shows off our history and portrays all the best this city has to off. If we do that, it will top Bejiing's, at least for me.

I think Chicago is certainly capable of putting on a world class Olympic Games. What do you think? BTW, Chicago is up against Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo.
[Edited 8/10/08 15:55pm]
[Edited 8/10/08 15:55pm]

Would love if Paris won. Give me an excuse to go visit there again

Good luck to all.

luv4u said:

Ooops. Paris is not a finalist. That should read Madrid (Spain).

I've been dreaming of having the Olympics in Chicago ever since I was in college, and I would be so thrilled if Chicago wins the bid. Having said that, I just have a feeling that they're going to lose out to Rio. Chicago still has a lot of issues with security (too many murders and violent crimes, especially by and towards young people), transportation (crappy CTA service, airport crowding), and infrastructure (crumbling roads and bridges). I don't think that Madrid will get the games because Spain already had the games in Barcelona in 1992, plus I don't think that the rest of the world wants to see Europe host back-to-back Olympic games. Tokyo hasn't hosted the Olympics in over 50 years, and they already have a lot of modern infrastructure, which gives them a serious leg up, but Rio de Janeiro hasn't hosted an Olympics at all (in fact, no South American or African country has hosted the Olympics in either the summer or winter games), and I just have the feeling that the IOC will want to give South America the chance to host their first Olympics. They already have fabulous beaches, a very lively and sexy nightlife, and lots of sexy skin on display that would draw massive tourism from around the world. However, they would have even bigger security issues than Chicago that they would have to deal with if they landed the games.

That would be cool. A lot of hustle would be involved and they would have LA experience to draw from. But in all fairness maybe Rio would make sense, idk, it's such a big deal.

I'm looking at the Athens Opening Ceremony since I didn't even see it in 2004. There is a lot put into the opening ceremonies of all the countries. I think there will be lots of surprises as each country gets to showcase their strengths.

:intense: