Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


7

Chicagoans Cool Off on Olympic Bid

Financial concerns drive lukewarm public support

Share

(Newser) – Local support for Chicago's bid to play host to the 2016 Olympics has fallen sharply, with public opinion evenly split, the Chicago Tribune reports. Just 47% of Chicagoans in a new poll support the mayor’s initiative—a 14-point slide—while 45% oppose it. The main issue is expense: 84% disapprove of the Richard Daley's pledge to use taxpayer money to cover shortfalls. The IOC will name the 2016 host city within a month.

"When less than half of the folks polled indicate they'd be willing to support the Olympics, that's certainly not an enthusiastic mandate for bringing the Games to Chicago," says a sports finance expert, adding that the numbers could hurt the city's chances to sway the IOC.

International Olympic Committee members walk past the King College Prep High School band, Sunday, April 5, 2009 in Chicago. Chicago is a proposed host of the Olympics in 2016.
International Olympic Committee members walk past the King College Prep High School band, Sunday, April 5, 2009 in Chicago. Chicago is a proposed host of the Olympics in 2016.   (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Patrick Ryan, head of Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics, assures city taxpayers and council members that it's unlikely they'll be on the hook for millions in case the games flop.
Patrick Ryan, head of Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics, assures city taxpayers and council members that it's unlikely they'll be on the hook for millions in case the games flop.   (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Patrick Ryan, head of Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics. The IOC will choose the host city in October. Chicago is competing against Tokyo, Madrid, and Rio de Janeiro.
Patrick Ryan, head of Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics. The IOC will choose the host city in October. Chicago is competing against Tokyo, Madrid, and Rio de Janeiro.   (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
7 comments
VIEWING:
 
Jayster999
Sep 3, 09 10:26 AM CDT
In these economic times, the olympics are just a big albatross. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
Unaffiliated
Sep 3, 09 10:57 AM CDT
Wow, again, I'm finding myself agreeing with you, Jayster.
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
IN RESPONSE:
dolcevita
Sep 3, 09 9:33 PM CDT
No Olympics in Chicago! Improve schools, roads, bridges, public transportation INSTEAD, which will serve more people and be more cost effective. Chicago is laying off city workers due to the budget crisis, but is trying to host a 30 million dollar sports party for a couple of weeks? Can't we just be glad to host the President of the USA and call it good?
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
BeatBlaster
Sep 3, 09 11:25 AM CDT
I don't think the Olympics are bad. It's interesting to see different sports on my TV every now and then. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
Reader65069154
Sep 3, 09 12:12 PM CDT
I'd hate to be in King Daley's office when he reads this. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0

View all 7 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

16 Stories

 IOC OKs Golf, 
 Rugby for 
 Rio Games  

Golfers, ruggers seek Olympic gold in 2016 for first time in 100 years or more

Oct 9, 09 10:52 AM CDT
(Newser) - Medals for golf and rugby will be awarded at the 2016 Olympics for the first time in a century or more. The IOC voted today to reinstate the sports for the Rio de Janeiro games and provisionally accepted them for the 2020 Olympiad. Golf has not been played at the... More »

MORE ABOUT:
golf • Tiger Woods • Rio de Janeiro • rugby • Padraig Harrington • Michelle Wie • Jacques Rogge • Olympic Games • 2016 Olympics • International Olympic Committee • Olympics • Summer Olympics

(Newser) - It's a big disappointment for Chicago, but how big a hit was yesterday's Olympic Committee put-down of the US's 2016 bid for the president, who stuck his neck out to go to bat for it? Of course Rush Limbaugh said it was huge, the "worst day" of Obama's presidency,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Barack Obama • Chicago • Michelle Obama • Richard Daley • Rush Limbaugh • Copenhagen • 2016 Olympics

2016 olympics

Chicago's Loss Casts Light on Anti-US Sentiment

IOC shows us the world still likes to thumb its nose at American power

Oct 2, 09 3:53 PM CDT
(Newser) - The first-round knockout of Chicago’s Olympic bid speaks to an unpleasant fact, writes Mike Lopresti: “A lot of people out there don't like us. They don't care if President Obama is eloquent and the first lady is charming.” If it had come down to just Chicago and... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Barack Obama • Chicago • United States • Rio de Janeiro • 2016 Olympics • Chicago Olympics • International Olympic Committee • Olympics • IOC • President Obama

16 Stories


Sports  •  US 
TwitterFollow @NewserSports on Twitter

 
Chicago • Richard Daley • poll • Illinois • 2016 Olympics • Chicago Olympics • budget shortfall • Olympics • Summer Olympics

from our news partners