Rio or Chicago? Who should have the Olympics?

The Frink Panel is a diverse group of local people in their 20s and 30s who share their thoughts on current events and local topics every week in Ink.

Who says no to the Obamas and Oprah? The International Olympic Committee, which, despite a personal appearance and appeal from the Prez and First Lady, voted to hold the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro — even though Chicago was widely considered the front runner.

So what city do you think should have hosted the Games? Here's what our Frink panel said:

69.2% - Rio. The Olympics have never been held in South America, and the U.S. already hosted the games several times.

19.2% - Chi-town. Windy City was the front runner and got screwed.

11.6% - Neither.

Rio or Chicago? Who should have the Olympics?

Michael Gomez

Neither. This is an example of a time I wish I cared about sports and where they were hosted. Of all the things I've said in my life, "hey we're getting together to get wasted and watch rowing" has never been one of them. I do like what Rio has done with Carnival and who doesn't want an opening ceremony that includes Serena Williams in a thong and head dress. Time to tuck your third leg, Serena!
Jody Evans

Neither. Why would ANYONE want to come to Chicago? It's a dirty, overpopulated, corrupt, violent mess. What a terrible place to host something as wonderful as the Olympics. We have so many other beautiful cities to chose from, perhaps San Diego, Tampa, Albuquerque come to mind for an Olympic setting, but Chicago? I would fear for the safety of these athletes.
Gina Edwards

Rio. Although I would have liked to see the games held in Chicago, I think that it's great that Rio will get to see the games in their town and that South America will finally host the games. I'm sure that Chicago will get the chance to host the games eventually - it's a wonderful city with a lot to offer to the Olympics.
Candis Crain

Rio. Where would YOU rather go???
Tony Sapad

Rio. Let me see: watching the Olympics with fat Midwesterners on a Lake Michigan beach drinking beer, or watching the Olympics with hot Brazilian waxed ladies on Copacabana Beach drinking a Caipirinha! Yeah, that’s a hard one to decide.
Angie Smith

Rio. It's not that I am vehemently opposed to the United States hosting the games again, but I was pleased to see the IOC award Brazil the honor. It's very easy to get caught up in the poisoned state of ethnocentrism and I saw a lot of that attitude last week.
Christopher OConnor

Rio. Great to see Obama lose again, and to see the rest of the world finally awakening to what a joke he is. Chicagoans (as well as all Americans, as the tab would clearly have required another stimulus package) should be thanking their lucky stars they are now able to duck the horrendous debt that accompanies these games.
Will Moulthrop

Rio, based on spreading the wealth more globally. But it's also a contradiction. It seems like each Olympic host city earns a lot of publicity but that it comes at the cost of running over budget and putting the city into debt.
Johnna Lowther

Rio. It seems like a fair decision was made. South America deserves a chance to host just like other countries and the timing looks right. Stinks that Chicago gets no glory, and the country misses out on some tourism dollars but we've also already had that privilege. Share the honor, glory and wealth!
Alana DeForest

Rio. I wish I knew more about South America over all, and Brazil in particular, so it’s about time they got some of the media spotlight that comes with the Olympics. Obama was stupid to get involved. Doesn’t he have enough problems already?
Stephen Capps

Rio. Come on, how can the IOC be expected to ignore an entire continent any longer? Besides, Chicago has huge amounts of debt. The last two Olympics in the States have had some high profile issues (bombings and bribery and the like). And sure, the President made an appearance. But so did the heads of state of every other country vying for the Games. In fact, heads of state have made this a trend for a while, and this is the first time a U.S. president has done it. To make it worse, he let it be known that he was just flying in and out the same day, that he wasn't giving the IOC a whole lot of time. Other countries did a lot more to curry favor. We just kinda stopped in for a few hours, during which we did other stuff, not even giving the IOC our full attention. Don't get me wrong, I think Obama needed to be doing other stuff and that he did not need to be spending a bunch of time there (he's kinda got a lot on his plate back home after all!). But I definitely think that the right city got the Games.
Rachel Eads

Rio. I wish Chicago would have won the vote if only for the extra revenue and jobs that would have been brought to the city, BUT, South America has never hosted the Olympics. If Rio de Janeiro has the means to host the games, and the IOC believes they can handle it, more power to them!

Connect with facebook or Sign into Ink to leave a comment.

Feedback

Share your observations and experiences about news. Lively, open, civil debate is the goal. Please refrain from personal attacks or comments that are racist, vulgar or otherwise inappropriate. If you see an inappropriate comment, please click the "Report as abuse" link.