Chicago Mayor Richard Daley said Saturday he will put together a panel of business and community representatives to research how hosting the Olympics affected such cities as Atlanta, Los Angeles and Athens, reports the Chicago Tribune.
Following reports that Chicago would have to build an 80,000 to 100,000 thousand seat stadium to host track and field events and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies if it won the right to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, Daley said the city would look into building a major new stadium but it might also consider using existing venues for major events.
He told reporters that the issue of a stadium was not an insurmountable obstacle, although he did not commit the city to an Olympic bid. “You have to be very careful about what you’re bidding on and how it’s going to help the city. That’s the major issue from my perspective”.
He added that the multimillion-dollar effort of building a track and field stadium and pavilion would be worth it if the facilities could be used after the Olympics are over. “I don’t want to tear anything down. If we build something, it should be substantial and should be used for other purposes as well”.
The same goes for any housing and transportation that would be built for Olympic athletes and visitors, said the mayor. “This could give an opportunity to rebuild parts of this city. To me it’s an opportunity I think we should look at”.
Daley said teaming with nearby states such as Wisconsin and Indiana could also be an option if Chicago bids for the 2016 Summer Games.
