Sweet Home Chicago for 2016 Olympics?

I am not a native Chicagoan, but for many reasons I consider it home. So I am truly concerned that the city will be successful in its attempts to land the 2016 Summer Olympics. Now, who wouldn't want their home to host the Olympics? Anyone with a reasonable sense of economic justice, that's who. Hosting the Olympic Games is a massive financial undertaking, and it more often than not results in long-term hardship. The evidence?

1) It took until 2006 for Montreal to pay off the $1. 5 billion debt incurred from the construction of Olympic Stadium, built in 1976.

2) Australians owe upwards of $32 million/year for a decade after hosting the 2000 Games.

3) After hosting the 2004 Summer Olympics, Athens is saddled with a debt of $17 billion.

These are just the big examples. Each of which should lead one to ask why elected officials try so hard to host the Olympic Games. Obviously, the international attention is enormous, given that the Olympics are the most watched television event in the world. There is a certain amount of prestige that is earned, then, when millions see your city in its "best" light. Undoubtedly, this had much to do with China's efforts to make Beijing the site of the 2008 Games. Over the years, cities such as Sarejevo or Barcelona have received uncommon praise while well-established cities such as Los Angeles or London can reaffirm their status among the world's great cities.

Chicago is among those cities. It may be considered the "Second City" to New York, but it is world class in any category that might define such a thing--arts, culture, education, food, sports, etc. In short, it doesn't need to host the Olympics to be viewed favorably. At the same time, Chicago is a massive population center, one that contains many of the problems that afflict similar cities: a crumbling infrastructure, excessive traffic, failing public education, rising unemployment, etc. In other words, it's a city with bigger fish to fry. And, if anyone should know this it is former resident and current president, Barack Obama.

Unfortuantely, Obama is determined to support Chicago's bid for the Games. This week, he will travel to Denmark to lobby in person to the International Olympic Committee. This, I fear, will be quite persuasive to the IOC. According to the White House, the president will explain "why Chicago is best to host the 2016 Summer Games." Unfortunately, no one will be able to explain why the Olympics will be best for Chicago. That's because they won't be. Just ask Montreal, Sydney, and Athens.