Chicago is "My Kind of Town"

Chicago spared no expense in sending its first team to woo the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the honor to host the 2016 Summer games and Paralympics. The First family, Mayor Daley, Oprah Winfrey and others travelled to Copenhagen where the IOC gathered and spoke wonderful words of praise for America’s third largest and heartland city nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan.

The First Family in a demonstration that is encouraging, “try in the face of adversity,” laid out the plan:

From the heart the President and First Lady gave passionate reasons why Chicago is the best choice.
But, in the end the IOC eliminated Chicago in the first round of voting.  The last American city to host the Summer Olympics was Atlanta, in 1996.  Even in this current economic downturn, the Atlanta Region has not stopped building, much of that attributed to the growth spawned by an infrastructure and construction trajectory that led up to the games and beyond. Businesses from around the globe have relocated here. And yes, when Ambassador Andrew Young, visionary Mayor Maynard Jackson and entrepreneur Billy Payne proposed it many detractors appeared.  Change is hard.

There are many lasting treasures. The one thing that keeps on giving is Centennial Olympic Park just across from CNN Center. Much of that park area was blight prior to the Olympics, abandon warehouses. Now the park, which is a favorite spot to visit for summer concerts and boasts a synchronized water-spray for kids and the young at heart, at Christmas–its a tour delight for its many lights. ALSO, development around the park has now taken off–the Georgia Aquarium, the largest indoor aquarium in the world is adjacent to the park, the Coca Cola pavilion has relocated there and there is talk of a Civil Rights Museum and maybe the voter approved new central library may find its new space there as well. As the former Chairman of the Atlanta-Fulton County Library Board of Trustees that notion/idea has my vote.

Get the picture.

Turner Field Home of the Atlanta Braves

I’ve only scratched the surface. The Atlanta Braves got a new stadium, Georgia Tech a new aquatic venue, Spelman College for women got a new tennis facility and the list goes on and on.

People came by the thousands.  There is a joke by the locals that says they came and forgot to go home.

But no one can argue that the Atlanta region is not more vibrant because of the games.  It certainly is more vibrant than when I came here at the beginning of CNN in the 80’s, another visionary enterprise that helped put the area on the map, and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has become the world busiest airport. Among other things such undertakings spells business and jobs.  These are lasting endeavors that also serve national and world interests.  Big ideas, good ideas have rewards.  Yes, it is hard work and it takes collective effort/will to be successful.

It was the right call to “make no small plans” to  seek the games. The groundwork has been laid for 2020 for “the city of big shoulders.”  The grown ups may gripe and be political.  But, the kids will LOVE IT.