Chicago is currently just one of four cities still in the running to host the 2016 Summer Olympics and is considered by some to be the front-runner.

Regardless of Chicago's chances of being selected, what you think about the possibility of Chicago hosting the 2016 Summer Games? Overall would it be a positive thing for Chicago and Chicago residents?

Would Chicago be a good pick for the Olympic Committee and the Olympic games in general? Would Chicago be a good host?

Sorry that's at least a few questions, and the poll just allows three choices - Yes/No/or Undecided, so I encourage you to reply to this thread and explain your answer, your considerations, and what you would like to tell others participating in this poll!

We could watch the sailing from the rooftop!

Here's a positive article from the Michigan Avenue magazine --

The Biggest Bash in the World

"A lot of money and hard work are required to prepare for the Olympics; organizers estimate that hosting the event will cost nearly $4 billion. The good news is that there will be returns, because that hard work will often be done by out-of-town engineers, architects, designers, and planners—an army of professionals who will come to Chicago for years, from the moment the winning city is selected in October until well after the Games are over. That’s good for business. They will come here to work, then spread out and begin shopping, helping bring what organizers estimate will be an additional $22.5 billion to the local economy over a 10-year period."

Steve Chapman of the Chicago Tribune offers this more negative viewpoint --

Torched by the Olympics?

"But what does Chicago really stand to gain from it? It's not like we were unknown, even before a Chicagoan went to the White House. And it's hard to believe all the publicity has a long-term payoff. How many people do you know who were inspired to visit Calgary after the 1988 Winter Games?"

"Many residents would get to see Olympic events in person, something they would never do otherwise, which is worth something. But for most of the rest of the people in the region, it will be a major hassle, a minor hassle or an irrelevance."

The Olympics would be awesome for Chicago - too bad we could not put together a blanket guarantee. I don't understand the financial stuff, but if Obama really wanted to get the Olympics in Chicago he would have thrown a couple billion in stimulus money to the Windy City!

I have a terrible gut feeling the only reason FLOTUS is going to Copenhagen is she is hoping to seal the deal on Chicago so that she can pat herself on the back and all of America will have to kiss her feet by winning the bid. I really think in their minds they (FLOTUS and POTUS) imagine themselves being immortalized in the history of Chicago.....(throw up!) by being able to accomplish this. No, the only good thing to come out of this would be all the jobs it would create for alot of people. Besides, Chicago is the SECOND and I mean SECOND most corrupt city in the nation, only to be bested by Washington, DC. I say let Madrid have it....They need something good and wonderful to happen to their country....

Didn't Madrid just have the Olympics? No sorry I am thinking Barcelona.

I would pick Brazil over Spain. However, I think security would be a big issue in Rio de Janeiro. That city is nearly a hopeless situation.

Eric