Olympics 2016

Will Protest In China Damage Chicago's 2016 Bid?

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Let the Games begin. Opening ceremonies for the Beijing Olympics are just hours away.

President George W. Bush is on hand to represent the United States. Mayor Richard M. Daley is there for Chicago. But so far it's the activists not the athletes making headlines.

CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine spoke Thursday night with Daley and Chicago 2016 CEO Pat Ryan in Beijing, where they're getting ready to attend the opening ceremonies as official observers. They said they're impressed with the Chinese preparations but well aware of the controversy and its potential impact on Chicago's bid.

In Beijing Thursday, ordinary Chinese citizens were smiling – as instructed – to welcome the world. Their leaders aren't as happy, with controversy threatening to detract from their $50 billion party.

President Bush has just finished dedicating a new embassy there, his criticism of China's record on human rights made before he arrived.

"America stands in firm opposition to China's detention of political dissidents, human rights advocates and religious activists," Bush said.

China's response, in a nutshell, was: "don't interfere with our internal affairs."

It then revoked the Visa of Olympian Joey Cheek, who heads an organization trying to draw attention to genocide in Africa, and what China could, but isn't, doing to stop it.

"I asked what was the reason and they said they're not required to give one," Cheek said.

Offending the Chinese is one thing, but injecting politics into the Games could offend more than just the Chinese. International Olympic officials have long discouraged political statements.

"You worry about that because I don't think it has any place, but like anything else, the president has a right to make a statement, he made it in Thailand and then from there there is a response and then you get on with the opening ceremonies," Daley said of Bush's comments.

Daley and his delegation of Chicagoans, there trying to make Chicago's Olympic dreams a reality, don't believe some Americans leading the protests in Beijing will sabotage the city's efforts to win friends and influence voters.

"I think there's a pretty good spirit and positive attitude towards our bid and I'm not feeling that we're being disadvantaged by people who are objecting to certain aspects of how the Chinese are managing this process," Ryan said.

Both Daley and Ryan said they were blown away by what will be by far the most expensive games ever staged. That's almost the exact opposite of Chicago's plan to use existing venues and temporary facilities at fraction of the cost.

For the most part, the two are trying to make friends this week, knowing that Chicago's fortunes depend as much on America's image as their plan for the Games.

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