Sports

Olympics controversy in Chicago
by Zuzana Zelenakova

The general idea is that no city could receive a greater honor than to hold Olympic Games on its ground. No doubt that is the case of Tokyo, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro which all are most eager to be picked as the site of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. However, it is not that certain with Chicago, the last of the nominated cities. There is a certain controversy among the Chicago residents about the city hosting the games, and concerns. "I am more than afraid," says Ms Taylor, 58 and retired. She is worried, as many others, that if the city wins mayor will evict residents so that developers have room for building Olympic sites. "I don't have any faith because we are low-incom! e people. In this town that means we are dispensable." Ms Taylor and others with similar opinion participated in anti-Olympics demonstration outside the City Hall on Tuesday carrying banners with mottoes like “Hands Off My Home” for example. "Instead of putting money toward what people really need, money will be funnelled to real estate developers who will be tearing down Washington Park and other important community resources," says Alison McKenna from a protest group called No Games Chicago. The final decision will be made on Friday, October 1, in the capital of Denmark. There will be Mayor Daley, Oprah Winfrey and even President Obama lobbying for Chicago, arguing that its lakeside setting is ideal for the games. Also the First Lady will contribute talking about sort of magical vibe and diversity of the city. Mayor Daley will naturally give the speech centered on what steps will be taken to ensure 100 percent smooth course of the games. To residents he makes ! promises about boosting the construction in the city and its c! omplex r egeneration. Posters and messages concerning the Olympics are on every corner, in every bus. So it might be a brilliant presentation in Copenhagen but there is a lot of tension and civic division hidden behind it.

related story (sgx15516): http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090930/ap_on_sp_ol/oly_say_no_t...

by Zuzana Zelenakova for PocketNews (http://pocketnews.tv)

PocketNews is a new real-time news broadcaster delivering the latest and hottest news right to your pocket ! With global clients who want to be kept up to date, PocketNews is everyone's way of keeping in touch with the World.

posted by Blog TechSource @ 2:24 PM