On Tuesday, the United States Olympic Committee announced that while they wouldn't pursue a bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics, they would like to try to bring the Games back to the U.S. for 2024.
Despite losing the race for the Games in 2016, Chicago shouldn't hesitate to jump back on the Olympic horse and try again.
Here are just a few reasons why:
The one impediment standing between Chicago and the Olympics has been removed
The reason Chicago didn't get the Olympics had little to do with Chicago's bid and everything to do with the IOC and USOC's squabble over television revenues. Earlier this year, the USOC and IOC came to an agreement over their revenues, and now the IOC will want the Games back in the U.S. as soon as possible.
Cities often need two bids to win it
Athens, Rio de Janeiro and Beijing all needed to do at least two bids to win the Olympics. Brisbane and Melbourne both bid before the Australian city of Sydney was awarded the 2000 Olympics.
Most of the work (and expense) is already done
Since Chicago already created a bid, they have a plan in place, and IOC officials loved the plan. Ideas on infrastructure, timing, design and sustainability are already there. Some tweaks will have to be made as the city has changed since the first bid was submitted. For example, the Michael Reese Hospital Site which was envisioned as the home for the Olympic Village has been slated as a spot for a technology park by Rahm Emanuel, but it can be done without nearly as much expense. Also, the bid will still be privately financed, as it was for 2016.
We need it
These are dark days for Chicago. After living here for 33 years, I cannot recall a time where I've heard of so many shootings and deaths and just overall anger. We need something to rally behind, we need something that will redevelop the areas we've forgotten about except in crime reports, and we need a reason to show our pride in this city.
Though we have a new mayor and we're a different city now, Chicago is still the same international, world-class city which knows how to welcome the world like none other. Let's make another bid, and plan a party for 2024.
