Chicago Deserves the 2016 Olympics

Chicago -- If there is one thing that the city of Chicago is, it's a multi-cultural, whole-world city. Yes, I know that there are other cities that claim this, but it is truly the case in Chicago. You can find Chinatown, Korea Town, Greek Town, Little Italy and Little India here. You drive through Little India and just past that is a restaurant called Kabul. The amazing thing is that you can walk through the entire world in a matter of minutes, often within the same neighborhood. The city is truly diverse and truly a melting pot and, for the most part, everyone generally gets along.

If there is another thing that Chicago is, however, it would be a city with a chip on its shoulder and a heft inferiority complex. Throughout our lives here in this town we are told, time and again, that we are the "Second City." This is normally followed by the information that we are, at least population-wise, the third city after New York and Los Angeles. We struggle mightily to defend ourselves, particularly against the obnoxious New Yorkers, but they never seem to cut us any slack. For most in those two cities Chicago is an airport or something they just fly over.

That's why Chicago needs the 2016 Summer Olympics. Nothing would show the world what a great and worldly city this place is more than hosting the world's athletes. The entire city would be on display for every country in every far-flung corner of the world. People would finally see that this city can match itself against Beijing and London and Paris and anyplace else. It might also go a long way to shutting New York up as well.

There are many here who are already complaining about this endeavor. It is going to cost a lot of money to prepare the city of the athletes. They are talking about building something called "collapsible" stadiums, which I think is a terrible name. These would be huge temporary stadiums with no amenities and they would be easily torn down after the games. The roads will need to be improved and an athletes village would have to built. Yes, it will cost money. Here is what I think, it's worth it.

To be able to finally silence the critics and prove that the city is fantastic, would make it all worth it. Never underestimate the value of pride. Far too many people who live here have forgotten how wonderful this city is after two very harsh winters. It would be worth it to put on a great show, dazzle the world, and have the city of Chicago truly mentioned along with the greatest cities in the world.

This city deserves it. We deserve our chance in the spotlight. Chicago, in short, deserves the 2016 Summer Olympics.