Jul 12, 2007 11:45 pm US/Central
Meeting Between Rivals In Bid For 2016 Olympics
Chicago Athletes Would Prefer Shores Of Lake Michigan To Rio's Waterfront For Summer Games
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (CBS) ―
As Rio de Janeiro gears up for the Pan American games, Mayor Richard M. Daley and others from the U.S. Olympic Committee are there sizing up the competition for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine spoke with some Chicago athletes who say there's really no comparing the two cities.
For Chicago athletes in Rio de Janeiro, the prospect of an Olympics in Chicago is exciting.
Batavia resident and athlete Richard Montgomery was on the water Thursday, rowing against the skyline of Rio de Janeiro, but thinking, as was teammate Jamie Schroeder of Wilmette, about a course off Grant Park.
"I love being along the lakefront in Chicago," Schroeder said. "I grew up along the lakefront in Chicago and having a rowing course there would be great for the sport of rowing, a fantastic venue for the Olympics and it would just be a dream come true."
As Schroeder hoisted his boat out of the water after a tune-up for Saturday's first race, the president of the U.S. Olympic Committee talked about his and other athletes' impact on Chicago's bid and the difference it can make with members of the International Olympic Committee.
"The voice of the athlete does get to the ears of the IOC and that voice is a powerful in this process," said USOC President Jim Scheer.
It's a process that might come down to two men: Daley and Rio de Janeiro Mayor Cesar Maia. The mayors from two of the potential Olympic cities came face to face Thursday. There is a friendly rivarly between the two as Rio's mettle to hold the games is tested.
Chicago on Thursday got a surprise conditional endorsement in its bid for the 2016 Summer Games.
"If things don't go well, then I will support Chicago," said Rio de Janeiro Mayor Cesar Maia.
Maia welcomed Chicago's first couple with a symbolic key to the city. Daley responded with a framed antique poster and picture of Chicago hosting the Pan American Games about to begin back in 1959, with his late father presiding.
But the elephant in the room was their impending battle for 2016.
Rio says it's already passed the venue test. That's why these games are billions over budget. But this is a city that makes no small plans; Rio is not only hosting the Pan American Games this year, but is also bidding for the World Cup in 2014 – both in addition to the 2016 Olympics.
The mayor told CBS 2 afterward he's confident he can handle it, but if not, "Then I'll invite you and the mayor back for my execution," Maia joked.
In other words, a lot more than money and future competitions is riding on these games.
A Republican presidential candidate, a former baseball commissioner and the Masters golf tournament chief talked to the Associated Press about what Chicago should do to win and run the 2016 Olympics. Their advice was simple: Make friends on the International Olympic Committee. Train lots of volunteers. And don't do it for the money.
Mitt Romney rescued the scandal-plagued 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Peter Ueberroth ran the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 and is chairman of the U-S Olympic Committee. And Billy Payne helped Atlanta win the 1996 Summer Games.
Other cities competing for the 2016 Games so far are Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Doha, Qatar; Madrid, Spain; Tokyo, and Baku, Azerbaijan. The IOC will pick a host city in 2009.
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