A for Effort

And the 2020 Olympics goes to the city of....... Rio de Janeiro? As I was on the shuttle headed to my office last week, I engaged in an interesting debate about the fate of the 2020 Olympics. There were riders who absolutely knew that Chicago was going to win it's bid for the 2020 Olympics. After all, it's ideal location along Lake Michigan, star power (I mean Oprah is known just about everywhere and let us not forget our esteemed president Barack Obama), and it's well known reputation for being a town run by gangsters (I'm sure there are some greasy palms somewhere connected to this Chicago bid. I mean after all Chicago can't be shown up by Utah when it comes to the bribery game.) There was the other group on the bus who were staunchly in the Madrid corner. It seemed absolutely ludicrous to them that the Olympics would ever go to Rio or Chicago (there is nothing but thugs in these places for pete's sake which is code word for....). At the end of the day I and one other woman were the only people who believed that Rio was definitely going to be the city. I suppose the fact that the Olympics have NEVER been held in South America before doesn't resonate with people. The fact that Brazil is a part of a handful of countries that could actually put on a half way decent opening ceremony (No one will ever show up China, but can we get a country that at least has great costumes?) doesn't make a difference to some people. Most importantly, the opportunity for jobs that the Olympics brings to a country teeming with poor people just doesn't pull at the old heart strings.

Now, don't get me wrong, putting on the Olympics isn't a cheap task. It will require huge sums of money, and it has been known to back fire on cities before (I adore Montreal, but they were broker than a joke after hosting the Olympics). However, it seems to me this is a gamble that a city has to take. It is the same gamble that President Obama decided he had to take in order to help Chicago. There is no telling how many jobs may have been created by the Olympics coming to Chicago. I am tired of hearing people say it was a mistake for President Obama to go to Copenhagen to make the case for the United States. Although he had other pressing matters, he had to try for every person who is jobless, furloughed, or facing a potential job loss in this country. Now, Brazil gets it's chance to help it's citizens, and we should be glad to see that for once the underdog finished first. It seems to me that we talk a good game about wanting to see change in this country and the world, but it is just that.... talk. On the shuttle last week, I said to everyone sitting there that Brazil getting the Olympics could be their "change" moment (who would ever believe that a nation with so many impoverished people would be allowed to host such a prestigious global event). Moments like winning the Olympics for the first time in your continent's history or electing the first black president in a country's history are inspirational for many. These "moments" remind us that there is always something better waiting around the corner if we just exercise a little patience and a whole lot of prayer, devotion, and meditation. Therefore, although Chicago lost it's bid for the Olympics, I still give President Obama and his lovely wife Michelle (who we all know is the real brains behind this operation, lol) an A for effort.