Place your 2016 Olympics bets here

June 5th, 2008 | Posted by PostmanE

So, this Chicago Olympics thing — you know, the thing that has me playing pretend transportation pundit — is still on. Chicago was selected as one of the four finalists by the International Olympic Committee, but not without a semi-brutal assessment of the city’s failings. Don’t hold anything back, IOC:

The sometimes blunt grading said Chicago’s construction costs “appear low” and characterized as “optimistic” the Chicago 2016 committee’s projected operating revenues that are being counted on to cover expenses. While praising Chicago’s hotel accommodations, security and environmental efforts, the International Olympic Committee also questioned the Chicago bid’s guarantees and wondered about the state of public transportation.

Whatever, IOC. We don’t need your ringing endorsement, because we’ve got the bookies on our side. What now?

If the oddsmakers of the world are to be believed, the Olympic flame will be rising above Chicago for the Summer Games in 2016. Even before the announcement Wednesday of the four finalists, Chicago was the favorite, and oddsmakers currently rate it at 4-5 — meaning it has a bit better than 50/50 chance of winning the Games. Rio de Janeiro is the 2-1 second choice, while Madrid and Tokyo are the outsiders for now, at odds ranging from 7-1 to 12-1, depending on the bookmaker.

I’m not sure if the IOC knows how we do things over here in the States, but when a bookie says something’s so, it’s so. You want to lay one against 4-5, IOC? Try us. We’ll have high-speed rail and more internationally friendly, only-slightly diseased hookers in this city before you can say “Don’t break my arms! I’m good for it!”

Chumps.

Experts peg Chicago as front-runner for 2016 Olympics, right on

June 3rd, 2008 | Posted by PostmanR

If you’re the kind of person that believes in Internet ranking systems — and of course you do, because it’s the Web and everything is always correct! — you may be exalting in joy over the news that Chicago looks to be the favorite for the 2016 Olympics, as the IOC is parsing down more hopefuls today.

Analysts at aroundtherings.com, which closely covers the business of the Olympic games, put Chicago tied with Rio de Janeiro. The rankings are based on interviews and technical assessments of the bids.

Chicago has the Web site’s edge over Rio in existing infrastructure and its venue plan to keep most of the contests in the central city. Rio’s strengths: its organizing team and “ability to connect with IOC members,” editor Ed Hula said.

Another Web publication, gamesbids.com, shows Chicago narrowly ahead of Tokyo, based on a computer program that matches proposals with winners of previous Olympic host contests.

Yes, gamesbid.com uses a computer program. It’s probably like PECOTA, but for nominal Olympic rankings. I except Fire Joe Morgan to have a dissertation on its merits by the end of the business day Thursday.

For as much  gripe as there’s been about the city being an absolute commuter and logistical mess during the Olympics, it’s still the Olympics. (I can just blog from home all day, right?) And I’ve decided that whatever baggage that comes along with it I’ll be OK with. (Except a terrorist attack. That might not be so great.)

So yes, minus a bombing,  I’m 100 percent for the Olympics. Do work, Cha-city.

If the Olympics mean high-speed rail in Chicago, count me in

May 29th, 2008 | Posted by PostmanE

I’m still torn on Chicago’s 2016 Olympics bid. On one hand, it would bring a once-in-a-lifetime experience to my front door. On the other, it would be an absolute clusterfuck of a circus of a freakshow. Part of the reason I live in Chicago is because it’s all the fun of a big city without the cramped chaos of New York. I don’t need that stress in my life.

So, like I say: torn. Something is going to have to give. Potential long-term improvements to Chicago’s public transportation could be one such tipping point — this city needs modern high speed rail. Badly. And the International Olympics Committee likely agrees:

Politics, friendships and emotions become factors when the IOC members choose the winner Oct. 2, 2009, but weaknesses exposed by the working group’s report will be persistent negatives if a city cannot find ways to defuse them. According to Doug Arnot, Chicago 2016 venues and games operations director, transportation is a potential weakness, particularly for a bid working with a largely antiquated public transportation system. Among the other strong bids, Tokyo and Madrid have more modern subway systems and more extensive rail networks. ”We wouldn’t be surprised to see some remarks (in the report) on transportation,” Arnot said. “They (the IOC) know there is good infrastructure, but it has a bit of history to it. We expect that is going to be a bit of concern on their part.”

Many cities have used the Olympics as a catalyst for improvements in transportation. Salt Lake City found federal money for highway upgrades suddenly become much more available after it was named 2002 Winter Games host.

Do Chicagoans care enough about the Olympics to toss money at the city for high speed rail? Meh. Maybe not. But they probably care about fewer broken El stops. That’s personally bothersome ish, and nothing gets a political movement going like slightly inconveniencing the upper middle class.

Me? I don’t even care if the new railroads are privately or publicly funded. Just build them. I’ll chip in. Hell, I’ll help lay track down. Just no more 40-minute, four-mile bus rides, k?