BANKSIDE, LONDON, UK -- So as most of you are aware today the International Olympic Committee is meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, just a ways across the North Sea from here, to decide which city will host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. For a long time now, I have supported Chicago's bid, and it is for several reasons. First, I love the city, and to showcase it to the world as the great city I know it is on this level can only be done by hosting the Olympics. In the developed world, Chicago is one of the largest cities in the world that has not ever hosted the Olympics (though we did have the World Fair). The architecture is unparalleled. The sight lines along Lake Michigan and in Millennium Park and Grant Park during the summer are the best. What better way to bring the world to Chicago, and Chicago to the world, than through the Olympics? Simply from a historical perspective it would forever transform the legacy of our city. From an economic standpoint, it would bring thousands of jobs and billions of dollars into the local economy, all very much needed right now.
Chicago is also a sports town, perhaps the best. The Olympics are the epitome of sport. Could there be a better fit? The Chicago 2016 plan is solid. Most of the infrastructure already exists. O'Hare is already being modernized to handle the capacity. There are 78,000 hotel rooms downtown ready for the influx. CTA and Metra lines are already being upgraded. McCormick Place is the largest convention center in the world, and has the capacity to handle the international media as well as an array of the indoor events. The stadium to be built in Washington Park will be brought down, materials recycled instead of erecting another mammoth building to sit empty for 300 days a year. The Olympic Village along the lake will be LEED certified for environmental efficiency. The athletes will be within an 8 mile radius of their venues to cut on transportation headaches, cost, and waste.
Finally, the city has a plan that will cost $4.8 billion. This number is backed in unprecedented insurance guarantees, and the full support of the Chicago city council, and the U.S. Federal Government. The last three American Olympics have all made profits. All in all, Chicago 2016 has a robust plan. I want Chicago to be the best city it can be, and this is the pinnacle of a test that can push the city to that point. I want to see the city be challenged and make it through, and give a games to the world that will never be forgotten.
Earlier this morning Chicago 2016 gave their final presentation to the IOC. If you want to watch the rest of the proceedings, go to:
http://www.olympic.org/en/content/Olympic-Games/Candidate-Cities/Elections-for-the-2016-Games/
The order of presentations was: Chicago, Tokyo, Rio, Madrid. The first round of voting is scheduled for 3PM BST (9AM CT), and we'll see how long it takes!
In other news, tonight is the NHL opening faceoff live from Helsinki, Finland (also just a short hop over the North Sea from here). The Blackhawks drop the puck against the Florida Panthers to start a year that probably has the highest expectations for them in a couple of decades. If they don't make it back to the Conference Finals, it will surely be seen as a bust. This team is certainly capable of winning the Stanley Cup, but a lot of things have to go right and at the right times for that to happen, so we'll see. For the next 82 games however, the goal is to make the playoffs and win the division, and that means that starting tonight, 2 points are 2 points, and we want them both! The game is on Versus in the United States starting at 11AM CT.
In LSE news, my evening induction last night was nice. I met about half of the people in my program. Asaf, the Israeli, is from Ra'annana (on the Mediterranean Coast between Tel Aviv and Haifa) and lives in the same apartment complex as another person I know here. It still amazes me that we can stand around in a circle and talk about life and travel in Mexico, Brazil, the UK, Israel, Korea, and Armenia as if it is really no big deal. This afternoon I have my library induction at LSE, but that is it for on-campus things today. Also I set my academic schedule, and I have lectures on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday each week from now until December. Each lecture also has a seminar that is yet to be assigned, and I have meeting times for my dissertation as well that I have not been assigned yet.
Living in London is great as well. The weather continues to be great. High temperatures are right around 60 degrees every day, lows right around 50 at night. In the morning at dawn it is quite cloudy and dreary, but by 9-10AM it's all blue skies! I'm sure that will change in a hurry, but for now I'm loving it! The cell phone is also working great which is good news. Now all I need is my HSBC bank account information (which should be coming today or early next week) and I'll really be good to go! I'm also doing a pretty good job of keeping the food costs down. There is a "Pret" or an "Eat" just about every block between Bankside and LSE, and they have fresh sandwiches for around 2-3 pounds that are delicious. Also last night I had my first meal in the dining hall here at Bankside, and it was quite tasty and for the full meal with a drink, only 3.70 pounds.
Thank you for reading everyone and for the comments! Keep it up! Crossing my fingers for Chicago 2016!
If the weather is like when we were there, it's a lot nicer than here ! Rain and 50's, maybe low 60's at best. Looks like November!
ReplyDeleteSo here is the good news;
I guess we will all be heading to Rio. That's cool.
And, we take 2 points tomorrow and come back to the States with 3 of 4 points! That works.
What kind of food is in the dining hall?