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Chicago Dodged a Bullet
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Don’t be sad that Rio got the 2016 Olympic Games. They’re corrupt, costly—and cruelly exploitative of athletes anyway. Ana Marie Cox on how Obama’s loss is America’s gain.
Critics can try to pinpoint the reason that Barack Obama’s charm offensive failed him in Copenhagen. But as a former Chicago resident and patriotic American, I’m glad the city lost the bid to host the Summer Olympics in 2016. The Olympics, while rooted in grand traditions of fair play and noble amateurism, have become a corrupted and corrupting institution. The bid to be host city is an opportunity for untrammeled graft and favor-trading; the bid for the medals themselves is increasingly a contest of bank accounts, not bodies. If you love sports, if you love America, you shouldn’t be embarrassed that Obama went to across the world to make a pitch for the Olympics and lost. You should be embarrassed he went at all.
To judge by a recent interview with Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, the administration’s “strategy” for selling the Games appeared to be the “diversity” of Chicago (I suspect that is administration code for “did you notice he’s BLACK?” The rest of the world does not seem to be as into celebrating our awesomeness—dude, BLACK PRESIDENT!—as we are). That said, there is ample reason to suspect that the real calculations behind the selection of Rio de Janeiro had to do with finances. Personal finances. The International Olympic Committee is notoriously corrupt. Simply put: They make Chicago politicians look like the amateurs.
If you love sports, if you love America, you shouldn’t be embarrassed that Obama went to across the world to make a pitch for the Olympics and lost. You should be embarrassed he went at all.
An investigation prompted by the patronage scandals of the 2002 Salt Lake City Games found evidence of bribery and graft stretching back to at least 1992, with cities paying out millions of dollars in favors to IOC committee members in the form of first-class travel, free surgery (!) and cushy jobs for relatives. Looking back even further yields not just financial scandal but international disgrace: Juan Antonio Samaranch, leader of the IOC from 1980 to 2001, best known for leading the downward spiral into the commercialization of the Olympics, was a member of Spain’s fascist dictatorship for almost 40 years. And he was no low-level functionary: By the end of his career, he was Spain’s ambassador to the Soviet Union.
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It was Samaranch, installed in the IOC in part through the maneuverings of Adidas, who turned the Olympics from a fusty tradition to a high-powered festival of licensing and sponsorship. He created the money machine that makes the millions of dollars cities spend—and the self-respect political leaders sacrifice—for a chance at hosting the Olympics worth it. Chicago planned to spend $22 million on the bid, a not-insignificant amount for a city looking at a $500 million deficit next year. Mayor Richard Daley justified the cost by pointing to a $22 billion payday. Twenty-two billion dollars, that is, IF this unprecedentedly enormous (for modern Chicago) project was managed with the economic and physical efficiency typical of large American bureaucracies. An independent accounting firm said the Games would generate closer to $4.4 billion for the area. And even that number is in jeopardy if—God help us—our national economic outlook remains sketchy. The official projection relies on private donations and ticket sales that may not come to fruition if people are still looking to cut back on non-essentials.
But it’s the Olympics, right! Michael Phelps! Little girls flying through the air! Kicking foreigners’ butts! Gold medals! WHY DO YOU HATE AMERICA?
The amount of money generated by the modern Olympics has made the Games themselves far more high-stakes than its founders could have imagined. And this game, most athletes lose. That’s in part because, literally, there are only three medals. But it’s also because the winners have become commodified—something to be sold to cereal manufacturers, insurance companies, T-shirt producers. And that means sponsors are willing to pay high prices to train athletes to earn the gold. There is a measurable relationship between dollars spent—by a country or a sponsor—to medals won. An Australian economist figured the price of each of the medals his country won in 2008 to be (in Australian dollars) $15 million for each bronze medal and $40 million for silver and gold.
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Ana Marie doesn't know what she's talking about. The Olympics would have brought thousands of jobs to Chicago, starting now, and unless she's been living in a cave, America can use more jobs these days.
It has also been estimated that the Olympics would bring $22 billion in cash flow to the Chicago area. That means small and large businesses would flourish. The city, the state and the federal government would make more in taxes, and there would be new structures built in Chicago that could be used for future sporting events.
There was nothing embarrassing about Obama trying to get these games for America. The Premier of Japan went, the President of Brazil went and the King of Spain went, all seeking to get the games.
Ana Marie is an embarrassment.
Sounds like periscope has a bit of sour grapes.
Sounds like you're one of those unpatriotic right-wingers, who takes joy in the fact America will lose jobs, money and opportunities with the loss of the Olympic games.
I wouldn't be surprised if Obama hadn't gone all out to get the games, and they went to Rio, Ana Marie and fools like you would be hypocritically bellowing, "If he had only gone to Copenhagen, we could have gotten the games."
Grow up.
Look what too much MSNBC can do to a person. Keep it up. Maybe Chris and the boys over there will put you on a payroll.
The shrill is similar to a few on MSNBC and Fox. It's a defense I'm starting to see a lot. The only thing left is to call weekilter the noisy one.
Ana Marie sounds more like a realist than a shameful non-patriot.
On the news this evening... thousands of the Lunatic Fringe popping corks and waving and cheering because the Olympics will not be coming to the US.
It is absolutely amazing to me to see this rabble so glad that this is happening. They w ant Obama to fail at every thing he does, and the country be damned.
These are the same idiots that , during the Bush reign, if you did not agree with his policies you were called a traitor.
I wish someone would put these so called patriots out of their misery. I am offering my help. It has come time to deal with these crazies on their level.
Every single ad for a Democratic candidate in 2010/2012 should prominently feature scenes of Republican rejoicing in Chicago's loss. Wasn't Mitt Romeny's main credential that he saved the 2002 Olympics for Salt Lake City and what a boon the games were for Utah? How are the NOpublicans going to reconcile these two positions?
All I can say to these mad rantings is....oh well! Poor Mr. & Mrs. Obama are not the as wonderful as they think they are! We have a failing economy, raising unemployment, a war that is being fought, a state that has undergone a horrible flooding that people are now homeless, a tsumi on american territory that needs our help, and the president feels the need to add another stupid idea on his plate instead of taking care of whats on his plate already! Way to go!! If Mr. Bush would have done that when he was in office you right winged pansies would have had a call for his inpeachment! In stead of giving a top general that is on the ground only twenty minutes of his attention on Air force 1, he had to go talk to the IOC...Please people! This general and your president have your sons and daughters lives in their hands and all he could spare was twenty minutes of his valuable time? How valuable are the lives of your sons and daughters? Are their lives worth only a measely rushed twenty minutes? Instead of gallopping all over the world on a whim or a vacation on my tax dollar...I would prefer he stay home and take care of business here before we invite another oppertunity for a terriost to make his play! Take your heads out of the stand and quit looking at his skin color and start looking at his politic's and his choices!
He was trying to bring economic development to an American city. It took one day. I don't think you want to compare what Mr. Bush was willing to do for American cities -- we all remember New Orleans during Katrina.
Mozart: the right-wingers are idiots, but it's best to let them stew in their own stupidities. Their anti-American antics are being noticed and disapproved of by the vast majority of Americans, and they and their Party of "No," the Republicans, will suffer the consequences in the 2010 elections.
The best way to deal with the right-wing, and to make America a better country, is to make the Republican Party history.
I don't know about "right wingers". The IOC rejected Obama....not anyone else.
They didn't reject Obama, moron, they rejected Chicago, because S. America has never had an Olympic Games held there before.
Your racism is showing.
So by your hack logic they also rejected Spain's King and Japan's Prime Minister, judging by the last eight years I could see why they reject anything American after we reject any and every thing international, they reject any and everything American, TIME FOR THE BIG BOYS TO STEP UP (and that is just for the year 2016 every other year they reject countries left and right, and thus the enemies list grows) .
They didn't reject Obama - it was a bid for the US - city of Chicago to host the Olympics. There were other cities vying for the Games. Chicago didn't lose - Rio won. That's all.
I don't know if the Olympics would be good or bad for Chicago. I believe that there would have been more jobs just for the construction. There would have been more tourists and tourists dollars - what about all the journalists, athletes, etc. etc. They would have been spending money in Chicago. Looks like it would have been good for Chicago.
I'm glad Obama did his best to secure the Games for the US. That's the job for a President. Also, to look ahead and plan for the future. We won't be in this recession forever - we need something good and bright to look forward to and plan for. The Olympics would have been nice.
The 'right' accuses the 'left' of putting Obama on a pedestal - I think it's the 'right' who is obsessed by this man. He's the President - get over it and start thinking about your country!
Its amazing to me how people like you turn everything into a partisan issue! Did u even look at the pictures of what happened while the Obamas where in Denmark? People where lining up to have their pictures taken with them. In some European country's Obama is more popular than the local head of state. Chicago, along with Japan and Spain lost because there have been many Olympiads in North America, Asia, and Europe but none in South America! This is simply the IOC trying to spread the reach of the Olympic Games! But hey, why let the facts get in the way of your irrational hatred of President Obama!
What a dumb article with a illogical rational. Her next article should be Obama shouldn't have tried to reform health care because it failed in 1994. Or maybe Don't ever try to do anything that might have failed in the past because it is impossible to learn from our mistakes. i got some advice for ya Ana Marie...don't write any more articles because this one is dull and thoughtless.
I agree. I voted and support President Obama. I did not vote but supported President Bush; not for his policies, especially the war in Iraq, simply because he was my President. I guess this is a hard concept for some people; something only grown-ups understand. Joe Scarborough said it best; "Thank you Mr. President." Out of all the posts I read so far on this topic; his article best describes what is really going on. Check it out on the Huffington Post.
I agree with you. I, too, thought Bush's policies were wrong-headed but never wanted him to fail. Especially in Iraq - I didn't want the war but once started, I hoped the best for our troops. I donated to pay for equipment, phone cards and other stuff they needed or would make their tours a little easier. I even hoped the Surge would work!
I cannot understand these people who want Obama to fail more than they want America to succeed. They might be the majority of the Republicans in Congress but they are NOT the majority of Republicans that I know.
Althought I think she is a cool hippie chichk I would have to agree with you (sorry Ana :-( but I think that is also great advice for Mark Mckinnon and Meghan Mcain.
Ah yes ... all of us on the right are idiots, America haters, and don't forget "Racists". I always enjoy hearing those slurs coming from the mouths of the far left who claim to be the true patriots of this country. Thanks for reminding us how ignorant we are as you turn this country into North Mexico, and for lowering the standards that are quickly turning America into a cultural sewer. And keep drinking that Kool Aid that helps you to believe we are on the right track by becoming the mecca for bailouts, and giveaways. Yeah ... I'm sure those Olympics were going to bring 22 billion in cash and there would have been dancing in the streets as all of Chicago's problems would have been solved. Ha ha .
You don't need the 'left' to call you America-haters - you just need photos of those who cheered when Chicago lost their bid - Chicago, an American city!
If you're upset, you should take it up with them - and with the right-wingers on he radio and TV. They sound very anti-American and unfortunately, too many of their listeners follow them without thought. Turn off the radio and Fox, look around at the people that you surely know that are hurting and have no health insurance and join the rest of us that want a better America!
Whether it's 2.2 or 4.4 or 22 billion very little of that would be profit especially in a union town like Chicago between graft and corruption, corporate greed plus the cost to make over the city for the games would eat that up. Also our mass transit system sucks the extra millions of visitors would be a insurmountable burden on it and other resources as the city is nearly broke. Not getting the games is probably the best thing to happen to the city since the "S" curve got fixed.
Ana Marie-
I think Twitter
Has fried your brain.
I can remember when you
Used to make sense.
" The International Olympic Committee is notoriously corrupt. Simply put: They make Chicago politicians look like the amateurs. "
Ana's right on with her assessment of the IOC.
Just like politics. Follow the Money.
" I'll Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse. "
If I believe what Ana Marie is saying about the cost and bribing of Officials, then it sounds exactly like the our Health Care System and Politicians.
I guess this means the IOC is racist too.
No. Just morons like you.
Tell you what why not just let these hack Bloggers who seem to know how to run the country.. they have all the answers on how to run things.. Patriotic.... No Ignorant... yes...
Do we really have no other worries? How lucky can we get!
This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
I agree with Ms. Cox but not with how she came to her opinion. I live in the Vancouver, B.C. area, which is hosting the Winter Olympics in February, 2010. This debacle is costing taxpayers a fortune. There have been huge cost overruns, taxes of all sorts have gone up, and government services have been cut to help pay for it. Sponsors dropped out because of the economy. The cost of the security budget has gone up six times what was originally projected. People have been asked not to go to work for the two weeks of the Olympics (without pay, of course). Government workers are being paid to "volunteer" there. They can't find people to work there for the two week period; it's too far from the city and there is no where to stay. Some female athletes (ski jumpers) are not being allowed to compete. Despite being told by a B.C. court judge that this action is discriminatory, the IOC contends that they are not subject to Canadian laws. Yup, they make their own laws. Sickening. We have been told that if you protest in any way, you can only protest where the police tell you you can protest (just like in China). People have been approached on the streets, at their place of employment, in their homes because they have publicly disagreed with the amount of money being spent on the Olympics. It's a total farce. And it's not about the athletes. And it's not even about business. It's about the IOC, who are mainly a bunch of little old men who make the rules and take advantage of the system. And ride their limousines and drink their wine. On the taxpayers' dime. And the taxpayer is unable to afford to go to most of the events and will have to watch it on TV. What a joke. A mean one.
Wake up & smell the roses Ana Marie, money talks. Job seekers in the Midwest would have loved to have had Chicago chosen. Think of all the jobs, building those venues would have created.
They heard all those empty promises the last two times taxpayers got stick with the bill for overpriced sports venues that nobody needs.
I guess the Nobamas (on advice form the Vulgar Imp) thought they could out corrupt the IOC
What are you, 12?
I had feeling that Chicago will not win the Olympic. President Obama and Mayer Daley and his team had tried very hard but all the odds were against them. Our previous Bush era government had done great damage to our relationship with the international community and it will not be easy to win them over the first year. It will be a long time and long hard effort on our part. We should not repeat the same mistakes again. World is watching us, It is time to work with the entire international communities and not just the few. Last UN Summit did not help us either; it seems like it that same old handful world powers were trying to dictate the rest of the world. Let's change course now, otherwise we may be left alone. It is time to make each and every country our allied.
after all, look at what the olympics did to atlanta. before 1996, that town had a hardware store and, like, two gas stations. all that olympic corruption turned it into, well, a really unbelievable international city, but...
wait, what was I saying?
oh. right. doesn't obama look silly?
Thats right the no Olymips crowd knows something that only they know, if only the business and government sectors of the whole world knew what you guys are so privy to know. You guys should knock it out with your conspiracy theories it is a slippery slope.
Can you imagine the outrage if Bush had done this? Oh my God, they would have probably impeached him. Leaving during a crisis, spending all that money, being so arrogant and now having excuses made or better yet, the main stream media is silent. The guy is a narcissist!
There would have been no outrage from me. Bush was a disaster with government... Olympics are somewhat safer.
Ummmmm - did anyone READ the article ? In its entirety, I mean ? When multiple scandals across [at least] several decades spanning more than one continent are tied to your organization AND you are run by a former fascist type AND varied economist from more than one country are calling the scam on "lookit all these moneys we bring to you city" AND common sense shows up the "winners" to be nothing more than commodified spectacles of corporate excess >>> well, it might be time to fire up the old common sense engine from its Reagan era slumber and call things for what they are.
Further; El Presidente Barry was just doing his job representing the nation, the home town angle was a "No-Win" of the oldest & purest sort... the rest of the world doesn't get the nickers in a twist because they recognize elected types for what they are >>> P O L I T I C I A N S - look up the root word.
We had more than a hardware store and a couple of gas stations in Atlanta. We had a good Olympics which did bring money and jobs to the community. If Vancouver is losing a fortune, blame it on Vancouver and not the Olympics.
I get a little sick of the corrupt Chicago line. Wake Up, there is nothing going on in Chicago that isn't going on in your town.
I get more than a little sick of the constant Obama bashing. If you want to Bash the guy for real failings go ahead. I do it myself all the time but this mean spirited nonsense says more about the author than the President
Criticizing the Olympics is the oldest cliche in the world. Every city that gets an Olympics is treated to endless cynical second guessing.
But as someone who has lived in two Olympics cities during the Olympics, a summer and a winter Olympics, I can tell you that they are simply magical. Years and decades later the memories are so vivid. Even the cynics who don't skip town are converted. (A common pattern is the pre-Games wailing about traffic and other nightmares, which never materialize, thanks to so many people fleeing during the Games.)
I went to all sorts of minor events, and met so many interesting people. The women's marathon start, curling, standing *outside* the stadium during the opening ceremonies, hockey games between Eastern European countries I'd never heard of. It was all great. Staring down scalpers after events had already started, while meeting more people from around the world.
When the Olympics are over, for a good two months you go through depression and mourning and recovery. They are that wonderful. And I realize in this cynical age and on the snarky internet you are not supposed to say things like that.
Is there a slimy underside? You know, who cares? If you've experienced one, you wouldn't care either.
Beautifully said. I only hope anna marie had experienced such because it would be extremely hypocritical if she had never been to the Games. she might as well just save us her thoughts. Just my honest opinion!
"There is a measurable relationship between dollars spent-by a country or a sponsor-to medals won. An Australian economist figured the price of each of the medals his country won in 2008 to be (in Australian dollars) $15 million for each bronze medal and $40 million for silver and gold." This represents enough money to fix all of the rusted gates in all of the decrepit public housing developments in Chicago, like the monstrosity that killed 3-year-old Curtis Cooper.
The documented election fraud now implicates both the Chair of the 2008 DNC Convention and the Chair of the DNC. Help us to expose this fraud, now. http://jbjd.wordpress.com/2009/10/02/up-to-here-in-fraud-from-the-chair-of- the-2008-convention-to-the-chair-of-the-dnc/
Make sure to tell Romney how corrupt the Olympics are. He has them prominently displayed on his CV. Wonder how/if he changes that when he runs again in 2012.
Thank you.
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