Chicago Dodged a Bullet
Figuratively speaking of course:
- There were 27 world records set at the Rio Olympics last year – from swimming to weightlifting, archery to cycling. These were as thrilling as they were expected. “Citius, Altius, Fortius,” is the Olympic model after all – Latin for “Faster, Higher, Stronger.”
Now comes perhaps the most enduring world record of the Games: Just seven months after the torch was doused, the host country is already acknowledging the entire operation was a terrible, perhaps criminal idea. It has left them debt-ridden and without a clue what to do with already decaying facilities.
Never faster has been the condemnation for hosting. Never higher has been the local outrage. And, maybe, never stronger is the lesson for the rest of the world to avoid ever getting into business with the International Olympic Committee.
“There was no planning,” Leandro Mitidieri, a federal prosecutor in Brazil, said this week at a public hearing about the Olympic disaster, according to the Associated Press. “There was no planning when they put out the bid to host the Games. No planning.”
And what of the majority of the facilities the country built to appease the IOC, a major part of the $12 billion cost of hosting the Games?
“They are white elephants today,” Mitidieri said.
Labels: olympics
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
58 Comments:
Just broke out my Chalkie hat last weekend!
Like we are doing any better without the Olympics....People fleeing, pensions not funded, crooked contracts and the whole story still continues. Maybe if we got the Olympics coppers would have made some $$$$.
Daley was going to be the Olympic planner thats Why he stepped down as Mayor,Stupid Fuck paid off the wrong people.
We paid for them anyway. Parking and skyway ring a bell? Actually we're still paying and will be for a very long time.
There are those who could have made millions of dollars, if our city had of gotten the Olympics.
Sure, hosting the Olympics might have been a losing proposition for the city and the state, but the money the connected contractors and other political cronies stood to make would've been staggering, not to mention the kickbacks. That's why they wanted the Olympics here.
rb
"And what of the majority of the facilities the country built to appease the IOC, a major part of the $12 billion cost of hosting the Games?
“They are white elephants today...”
No precedent for trees growing through the roofs of ridiculous, purpose-built, now-useless structures in every other city that has ever hosted an Olympics...
Oh...how much are the taxpayers still shelling out to that rich couple in the medical-supply biz who seem to own the flattened Michael Reese Hospital property?
"Gonna be the Olympic Village..."
The Olympics are a scam and a waste of money ~ I stopped watching when they let professionals participate in the games.
Remember all the goofballs watching the announcement at Daley Plaza? They were so shocked and saddened when Chiraq was the 1st city eliminated . Even Richie and Barack couldn't bring it home.
All the Unions were depending on Chicago getting the Olympics and part of the reason why Daley retired.
Glad we didn't get thag disaster of Olympics!
Chicago is better off with a Super Bowl in a dome stadium!
Faster, Higher, Stronger. Isn't that the exact opposite of the liberal democrat plan? Slow everything down, lower standards everywhere, weaker military and police forces. They are good at raising taxes higher and higher. Of course, spending other people's money is a communist thing, but the democrats are real good at everything communist.
J.J.
They didn't pick Chicago because the crooks that run the IOC new they didn't stand a chance competing agents the crooks in Chicago for the tax money. This time being the most crooked may have saved the tax payers money. But not for long, new taxes are in the works to separate the earners from what they earned in order to support takers.
I'm sure they could piss away way more than that budget had they gotten it.
after 30 years in Chicago, I moved my family to South Dakota. no state income tax, 2% unemployment, pensions are 100% funded! definitely no roving gangs of murderous fiends. every day here is a breath of fresh air, literally and figuratively.
my only regret is not moving here sooner!
Well, I guess things turned out the way they should then. Wonder what all those connected folks are gonna do eith all the land they purchased near the proposed third airport?
Thank heaven the IOC chose Rio! They disliked shanks so much, along with hating the USA, they chose a place without a plan! Not having a plan should have disqualified Rio, but the good Lord was looking out for us and kept Rio in the mix! Thank you Lord!
Shortshanks left us with a 1 billion pending payment on an empty hospital and a 75 present empty harbour at 31 St. So guess we got away on the plus side.
Olympics are organized crime sports. They shake down
the venue before anything gets going. They want the city
to pay for transportation, lodging, food for an entourage of
about 50 officials who swoop in to inspect everything from
the sports venues to the infrastructure. They expect to be
wined and dined. If anything needs to be built, it usually
turns into a white elephant afterwards. The overall economic
impact is usually negative. Then there's the crime. Sometimes
Olympians knock over a convenience store in their spare time.
Nice boys, the whole lot of them. You think it's a headache when
the Prez. visits? Multiply that by 1,000 for 10 days.
If that was the reason Daley retired, I'm glad.
Make no mistake about it; even if we had been made Bankrupt by the "lympicks" (Lil Dick could never pronounce the "O" in Olympics), and suburban connected contractors would have profited, and the debt would have been kicked down the road, as was the case with pensions. The Olympics is clearly International Organized Crime, and Lil Dick could not play with the Big Boys. So even when he sent the White Chocolate Messiah, and Michelle flashed her spectacular arms; it impressed nobody! Contractors cried, but those of us taxpayers who knew how the game is played rejoiced. I can still remember cheering when we were told Chicago did not get the games. And I also remember seeing City Employees in Daley Plaza wearing Chicago Olympic shirts crying. Thank God, and Daley's incompetence, and Obama's lack of Gravitas that we Lost That One! But not to be ignored, Lil Dick still fucked us, with the parking meters. But I think we only have another 60 years on that deal. Just answer your calls, don't hurt anyone. Baby "G"
Chicago would have officially declared bankruptcy if we had the Olympics here. The in crowd would have made millions and then disappeared leaving us taxpayers completely broke. Why do we elect these self centered corrupt politicians Throw the thieves OUT
Utah was the only place I know of that did a good job on the Winter Olympics. Many of the facilities were well built and the plan was to use them as a tourist attraction and training facilities. They are still in good shape, and making money ( I have relatives in Park City). The ski resorts used are flourishing and constantly expanding. There is a high school that goes from March through December so students can still go to school and train for winter sports. Utah plans to keep the facilities available and plans on bidding on the Winter Olympics in the next decade or so.
And also in Utah they do not tolerate crime. Chases are okay, police are allowed to shoot when necessary, and they are a very gun friendly state.
I met a person on another countries selection committee. They said it was Obamas people and their arrogance that killed the Chicago bid on the first round. They treated others like low life, much like they treat us!
Olympics was once about the games, but now it is just a money laundering game.
Is rapacious activity is as voracious as it is unstoppable, once a country agrees to go out to dinner, every orifice will then be violated in ways unimaginable, twice.
Never, ever, get in bed with the Olympics. Ever. So demanding is the machine that even the medal winners are devoured by the taxation, the punishment for daring to succeed. Nobody but nobody is allowed to profit in ANY way, unless it is specifically allowed by the elite bosses.
Barry, Val, Van, ShortShanks and tiny dancer had their plans dashed - thank you to everyone who participated in - as you said - dodgin that bullet. Ironic as it is, Chicago finally got to actually dodge one of them!
It would of been great the Section Olympic Village.
As a White man I am offended by the term White Elephant.
we even had a suicide on the banks of the North Branch Chicago River just north of the fork- the banks near the Suntimes building-Michel Scott- a Richie Daley & Company member
never forget what Daley's wanted and now Richie Daley wants $500,000 from every illegal immigrant who will invest their money in Richie Daley & Company pockets to become a permanent resident in the United States of America.........
Good thing TRUMP won't allow his scam! another scam!
If The Donald was president when that vote was taken, Chicago would have gotten the Olympics and he would have made sure it turned a profit. That crook Daley would have been locked out of it.
I bet this guy wished we got the Olympics....
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/August-2011/New-Details-Emerge-in-the-Death-of-Chicago-School-Board-President-Michael-Scott/
New Details Emerge in the Death of Chicago School Board President Michael Scott
SHADOWS OF DOUBT: Nearly two years after Michael Scott turned up dead in the Chicago River, we reveal exclusive new details about his final hours—clues that only deepen the mystery of what really happened on that sad November day
Anonymous said...
Daley was going to be the Olympic planner thats Why he stepped down as Mayor,Stupid Fuck paid off the wrong people.
5/26/2017 12:14:00 AM
Uh, NO.
Rahm wanted the mayor spot. It was obvious Daley was given the option to leave gracefully or be forced out.
Pay attention.
Daley instantly and totally disappeared from public life. Rahm never, ever said a bad word against him.
Both got what they wanted - Daley left with his freedom and Rahm got a boatload of 'be careful what you wish for'.
The city of Chicago having received the least amount of votes...
Still cracks me up...
We taxpayers are still ...yes still paying off loans for the $90 mil Michael Reese property acquisition, then the $2 mil demolition and God knows what the interest rate is on the loan is really costing the City, but was estimated in the $30-$55 mil range over the principle for the ShanksOlympics complex.
Somebody of great influence capitalized like a Clinton on that deal.
Let's see, upwards of $150 million with an estimated $225 million pissed away on possible Olympics - with absolutely no oversight.
Oh ! What is Rahm squawking about today..his CPS Kids are being treated like second class citizens because Illinois won't give up carte blanche money (yet) for Sanctuary schools.
But let'smove on...I wonder who in city government has a background in real estate, venture capitalizing, making money on commissions without using their own funds, take on a no risk investment that pays inflated dividends...hmmmm, the name is on the tip of my tongue.
No criminal act, no criminal investigation, just business as usual for corrupt Chicago.
Imagine if Hillary was elected, just imagine.
That's the real bullet we dodged.
Too bad dodging it cost us about 100 million bucks.
nonymous said...
The Olympics are a scam and a waste of money ~ I stopped watching when they let professionals participate in the games.
5/26/2017 02:52:00 AM
The bribery and corruption of the Olympic Committee has been well documented. I can only imagine that the Chicago machine would have made the Olympic Committee look like pikers if the games came to Chicago. I bet Daley and his political class pals were drooling on how much money was to be made, in construction, security, transportation, management of housing, food etc and the list goes on and on.The black power structure would be crying racism if they did not get their share and the Hispanics would be doing likewise. It seems only the Asian community kept silent on thisI am sure glad that the games never came to this city.
I'm so glad we dodged that bullet. No return on all money it costs, bad traffic all summer long and large crowds that would become victim to Chicago's criminal element.
Charge 12 pocket 8
Every city that hosts an Olympic game looses money.
Skated on a really bad proposition ---- plus, we got rid of Daley.
When Chicago was in the running for the Olympics I had a conversation with a very enthusiastic supporter who great it would be to attend the premier events.
Pointed out to him that, given the way Chicago works, even though the stadium hasn't been built, even though the seating chart hasn't been drawn, the really prime seats are already gone.
The day Chicago was rejected was a great day. In fact, that should be the fifth star on the city flag.
Los Angeles did not lose money.
From our archives: Shortshanks to Harvard
Nov. 10, 2011
Mentioned Richard M. Daley needed 3 times to
pass bar exam, and was so inarticulate he took
public speaking courses to overcome that.
5/26/2017 10:27:00 AM
Anonymous Anonymous said...
As a White man I am offended by the term White Elephant.
As an overweight white guy, I'm offended by that term.
Like others have commented, I remember Chicago losing the Olympic bid well. One of the best moments of the 8 years of Obama. The crowds in Daley Plaza with their t-shirts, shocked looks on their faces learning we were the first booted out of the running. American "royalty" (LOL) Oprah and Michelle dressed to the nines for the announcement.
I visited Montreal about 15 years ago. The stadium from the 1976 Olympics was an eyesore. The tour guide told us how the Olympics were a disaster for the city- debt, corruption, construction chaos, etc... I was so happy Chicago lost the bid.
Daley,Scott and the Rev's they had set up to buy the property all took the pipe as did the city. The FBI stepped in and Daley's gone but still lingering,Scott really gone by his own hand and the Rev's continue to fleece there own. Thank you very much Daley and Obama for showing the height of arrogance and the IOC shoved it right in our egotistical rear ends.Scott took the cowards way out after the FBI reeled him in to talk on Daley after the CPS IG found all sorts of flim flam taking place with their credit card and his use of it like a drunken,arrogant politician. Good riddance to all.
You could not be more correct! We dodged a huge bullet and it blew up in Rio. Tuff luck ain't it?
Anonymous said...
Every city that hosts an Olympic game looses money.
5/26/2017 02:02:00 PM
So true.
First, they 'loose' the purse strings.
Then, they 'lose' all that money.
Anonymous said...
Too bad dodging it cost us about 100 million bucks.
5/26/2017 01:23:00 PM
Still deluding yourself about this?
You need psychiatric help.
Anonymous said...
I bet this guy wished we got the Olympics....
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/August-2011/New-Details-Emerge-in-the-Death-of-Chicago-School-Board-President-Michael-Scott/
New Details Emerge in the Death of Chicago School Board President Michael Scott
SHADOWS OF DOUBT: Nearly two years after Michael Scott turned up dead in the Chicago River, we reveal exclusive new details about his final hours—clues that only deepen the mystery of what really happened on that sad November day
5/26/2017 11:22:00 AM
I'm sure 1:23pm is the only person who ever believed Michael Scott's death was a suicide.
Utah.........and you can have many wives
The only positive had Chicago won would have been destroying lots of Bronzeville ghetto.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Too bad dodging it cost us about 100 million bucks.
5/26/2017 01:23:00 PM
Cost who?
The Daley Mob has been ripping off the city for decades so why would they worry about stealing more for the Olympics? Only a shit hole like this city could empower such a family.
Remember current Treasurer/wannabe gov/mayor/senator/pres was a key guy on that committee.
Seeing how he manages his affairs today, no doubt he was part of the claim that Chicago came across as 'arrogant.'
Best thing he ever did was fail on the bid.
I have said for years that the Olympics should have a permanent site. Make one site in Greece where they began for summer olympics and and another permanent site for the winter olympics. They olympics is crooked anyway. No need to drive cities into poverty trying to build something.
But dint out it passed Rahm to try again here. You know you can break the mold. Never mind the money. It will be for the kids.
Anonymous james leonard said...
I have said for years that the Olympics should have a permanent site. Make one site in Greece where they began for summer olympics and and another permanent site for the winter olympics. They olympics is crooked anyway. No need to drive cities into poverty trying to build something.
5/27/2017 11:48:00 PM
Your entire comment is the truth, the whole truth and nothing, but the truth!
Anonymous said...
The only positive had Chicago won would have been destroying lots of Bronzeville ghetto.
5/27/2017 05:46:00 AM
What? You have no faith in your fellow Chicagoans? They will get around to destroying it all on their own.
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