The crowd at Daley Plaza just after the announcement. (Photo by Jake Scott)
By Kevin Dempsey and Jake Scott
It went from high hopes, to the lowest of lows Friday as Chicago lost its bid for the 2016 Olympics with a last-place finish.
Outside of Daley Plaza, a crowd gathered to show support for the city’s bid and watch results. Within a moment, several in the crowd were stunned when they learned that Chicago lost in the first round of International Olympic Committee voting.
Chicago received the least amount of votes in the first round. Tokyo was out in the second and Rio de Janeiro beat Madrid for the 2016 Games.
It was an unexpected turn of events that left many at Daley Plaza scratching their heads. Why was Chicago the first to go?
David Stanwood from Woodstock said: “I just don’t know, we did everything we could. That’s all I can say.”
After President Barack Obama made the trip all the way to Copenhagen to help his home city at the final IOC presentations, many thought his appearance would boost Chicago’s chances.
Many people interviewed Friday said they were looking toward Chicago bidding for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Chicagoan Steve Gerschoffer said, “The loss will bring the city together, and we will make another run for the games in 2020.”
If people are already looking toward the 2020 Games, what does Chicago need to change to win the bid? After receiving the least amount of votes on Friday, it showed that the city didn’t have what it takes in the eyes of IOC voters.
The IOC cited one of the main problems with Chicago’s bid was the city’s public transportation system. The facilities would not have been easily accessible for the fans and the athletes, according to an IOC evaluation report.
While transportation was one issue, some people interviewed said that Chicago’s crime rate cost the city IOC votes.
Sharon Greenwood from the West Side said, “It’s the crime rate in Chicago. Our crime is always on national news; Rio de Janeiro has more crime than Chicago, but it’s not reported in [the] national news.”
People in Daley Plaza react to Chicago’s loss in the first round of IOC voting. (Video by Poppy Peterson)
Other Chicago Reactions:
“I thought Rio was the No. 1 choice overall from the beginning. Chicago has already spent a lot of money trying to get the Olympics here so there would just be more money spent.”–Jim Heffron, Cubs fan leaving Wrigley Field
“I’m glad the Olympics isn’t taking place in Chicago because it would be so expensive. No one who has hosted the Olympics in the past seems to be out ahead financially. Plus, the Olympics are always in the states, so it is time to give other places a chance.” –Kelly Heffron, Cubs fan leaving Wrigley Field
“I’m glad the Olympics weren’t in Chicago. Traffic would have been terrible.”
– DePaul University sophomore Katie Johnson
“When I heard Chicago and Tokyo were the first to be disqualified…. it was a big
shocker for me.”
–Tom Ramos, Chairman of Local School Council for Columbia Explores Academy
“It’s alright if we didn’t get it; it is not the end of the world.”
–Magdalena Zielonka, Western Illinois University student
“Even though we are not from Chicago, we were supporters and saw the possibilities.
We are disappointed.”
–Angel Hernandez, WNIT Vice President of Production
Chicago “would have made it work.”
-–Shelby Routhman, in regards to CTA accommodating over 1 million visitors
“Big mistake.”
–Minnie Hubbard, Chicago, in regards to the IOC’s decision
– Contributing: Maria Minjares and Ali Trumbull
