A crushing defeat; Hope-dashed in a matter of seconds.
We’ve seen this movie before in Chicago. Lately, it seems we hold a city-wide funeral every year about the first week of October. (At least, on the North side. ) 2009, it’s the city as a whole that’s in mourning. In fact, you could say it’s the Country as a whole that feels like they just got cut from their high school baseball team. Chicago will not host the 2016 Olympics.
I couldn’t help but notice all the “It’s Gonna Happen” signs recycled from the last crowd to gather in Daley Plaza in hopes of a big win. I think we need to burn those signs.
The morning started off so promising. I awoke early on my day off to a beaming Sky Blue even Crayola couldn’t match. That little bite of fall in the air. The The’s “This is The Day” seemed to resound through the city.
Not so much.
I made my plans to head down to Daley Plaza to play photog. The announcement would be at noon. I had plenty of time to soak it all in. I pictured the moment: Joyous Chicagoans cheering, crying, maybe Obama Heli-dropping in to “Damn It Feels Good to Be Gangster”….
I was prepared for nothing else but a Yes.
Or, at least, not prepared for a Hell No.
Weren’t we supposed to be the front runners? I mean, both the Big O’s went to Copenhagen. Really? That’s it?
Wow. Harsh.
As the city tries to steady itself after the initial shock, we are left asking the obvious questions; “What did we do wrong?” “Who’s to blame?” “How could they not want US?”
Nothing, no one, and frankly, I have no idea.
Well, not exactly I guess. As most of you, I am looking through a Chicagoan’s eyes. Like a father whose daughter doesn’t get asked to the Prom. (“Anyone who doesn’t see you’re the prettiest, smartest, and perfect in every way is a complete idiot and not worth you’re time…” Or something along those lines.) Our very own Bonnie Hunt summed it up when she told NBC “I can’t imagine anyone not wanting Chicago to be apart of something.”
Us either Bonnie.
3 years, millions of dollars, countless people-All to have the kibosh put on it in a few hours. But what I think makes this loss so hard to swallow the most, is the personal rejection Chicagoans are feeling.
When your team loses: Yes, it’s hard, it’s disappointing, it’s down-right heartbreaking. But ultimately, it comes down to who played better. Who scored the most. Who ran the fastest. Etc.; It is not subjective. You aren’t trying to sell yourself to a third party.
But with an Olympic bid, it’s so much more than just objective facts and figures. (And maybe even more than the IOC would like to admit.) The applicant city is putting itself out there, asking the world to choose them, because, let’s face it, they’re just pretty darn great.
And we are pretty darn great.
There are few things Chicagoans love more than, well, Chicago. Northside, Southside, Eastside, West side; Black, White, Asian, Hispanic; Native, Immigrant; Gay, Straight; Man, Woman; young, old; democrat, Republican-It doesn’t matter. Chicago is a city full of pride and full of love. Especially when it comes to sports. In Chicago, “How are you?” can be answered with a sports score. We’re a big, modern, glitzy city; with small-town, old-fashioned Midwestern spirit and warmth. And for really the first time, we’ve been told that we’re not quite good enough. And that hurts. No matter what the reasoning, Chicagoans feel like their beloved city was just dumped on by the International community.
Mother Nature seems to echo our mood. The skies appeared to dim right on cue after the crushing news was delivered. The sharp bite in the air suddenly less crisp and more shiver-inducing without the sun’s rays. It rained briefly. Chicago getting out one good cry I like to think. And now I look out my window at a cloudy, cold, and downright dismal day.
Chicago is sad.
But we’ll get over it. We always do. Fire, curses, our local government: We’ve handled disasters before. We’ve got thick skin. And I like to think we’re gracious enough to wish Rio, another deserving city, the best. And I’ll always choose you Chicago. ‘Cuz you’re good enough, you’re smart enough, and, dog gone-it, people like you.
Now, however, is more than a time for self-pity. It is a time for self-evaluation. As a city, and as a country. Minutes after learning we were knocked out in the first round, a Tweet popped up on my screen: “Chicago 2020!” said Jeff Kenny of Chicago. And how very Chicago of him. Jeff, you must be a Cubs fan.
But when the Chicago Olympic committee and Mayor Daley were asked about giving it the ‘Ol College try next time, I was shocked, and disheartened by the If-it-didn’t-happen-now-it’s-probably-not-going-to response. “With such a change-oriented President…this was the time…” one Chicago 2016 Bid committee members told NBC. Were we really relying that much on Obama? I find myself at times concerned about how much we idolize our new President. Don’t get me wrong, I was and am a supporter. But he is still human. And it scares me (and I would imagine, him) that we sometimes seem to forget that. And if that’s really why we were going for it-a whim since we seemed to be on such a roll-well then maybe we didn’t deserve it after all.
The articles are rolling out now about Anti-American sentiment and vote-blocking, and lack political support for the U.S.. Well, maybe. But to be honest, if the IOC, if the world was looking to send America a message, I think there may have been some validity to it. The United States is 233 years old. Compared to the rest of the world, that makes us about Bar Mitzvah-aged. We’re like the teeny-boppers taking over Hollywood. Yes, we have lots of power, money, and influence, but ultimately, we’re still just an arrogant kid, and we need to be reminded of that from time to time.
Honestly, America, I’m not sure this was “the time” after all. Yes, our popularity has increased since Obama took over. Countries aren’t necessarily afraid of hurting their own image if they are the ones to invite us to a party. But instead of competing for the lampshade award, maybe we should just hang out by punch bowl, quietly sip our cocktail, and let someone else take the spotlight. Maybe we should say to another country “well enough about me, tell me about yourself…”
I love my country. I truly do. I love my city as well. And I think it’s a shame that a stand-up, class act like Chicago had to serve as the IOC’s example. Because Chicago 2016 would have been spectacular. And we would have done it right. But while here, we’re “Chicago”, to the world, we’re “The United States.” And right now, to be completely honest, I’m not so sure I’d vote for the United States either. I’m not sure it would help us grow the way we still need to.
And as much as I wanted these games. As gutted as I was when we didn’t get them, I can sincerely say, maybe it is for the best. Maybe now we can refocus on fixing up the structural issues of our home instead of throwing on coat of paint so it looks pretty for a party. And I don’t just mean that for Chicago, I mean that for America.
I have to admit, as I type these last words, I am surprised myself at how my views have so quickly changed; at the range of emotions in just this entry alone.
If today were to start all over again, I would still root for my city. Because I love it, and am proud, and would be thrilled to have my home be at the international stage. But I realize now that my motives would be all wrong. I’m not sure we would have seen it as the true honor it should be, but more of even…an entitlement….I learned a new word today, courtesy of NBC Chicago: Solipsistic-The theory or view that the self is the only reality (Thanks to Dictionary.com). Well, no NBC, I don’t think it was exactly. Actually this article brought me some comfort in the hour following the devastation that was our 1st-round cut. But as it all settles in, I’m beginning to see the silver lining in a truly disappointing day. I hope we take this opportunity to reflect on ourselves as a country, and to learn. Because 2016 will come (unless you’re a Mayan, in which case, you probably stopped reading this paragraphs ago,) and we will again have the opportunity to show the world that we’ve grown up a bit. We’ve matured. And, someday, we’ll be ready to accept the honor. And we’ll be gracious, and humble, and the world will smile with us.
And it will be one hell of a Games.
