Chicago Residents Still Concerned About Finances For '16 Games

As Chicago 2016 prepares for next month's IOC vote to determine the host of the '16 Summer Games, questions persist among Chicago residents who are "feeling squeezed by a tough economy and worried about just how much they may be on the hook," according to a front-page piece by Bergen, Lighty & Heinzmann of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. The local bid committee contends that the $4.8B estimated cost to host the Games "would be paid for with contributions from wealthy donors, corporate sponsorships, television rights and ticket sales to ceremonies and sporting events." But the reality is "more complicated" than that, as "hundreds of millions of dollars in local, state and federal tax money already is committed, from acquiring land for the proposed Olympic Village to helping construct sporting competition venues." Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's office yesterday acknowledged that public money "would be spent on a number of projects." However, Daley spokesperson Kate Sansone said that a "number of the projects need to be done anyway and the Olympics would help pay for them." A Tribune/WGN poll revealed that 84% of Chicago residents "opposed use of taxpayer money to cover any shortfalls," and Chicago 2016 Dir of Venues & Games Operations Doug Arnot yesterday said that the bid group's "message, from the beginning, has been that 'no Chicago taxpayer dollars' would be needed to host the Games." But his statement "does not take into account taxpayer money from the federal government." Federal funding would be used for "improvements to Monroe Harbor, busing during the Games and security," which reportedly is expected to cost more than $1B. Chicago's bid "commits local tax dollars, as well, for construction projects, city services and government financial guarantees." But Chicago 2016 Chair Pat Ryan recently argued, "The small risk that city money would be used is far outweighed by the enormous economic impact of the Games" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/16).

LONDON BRIDGE IS FALLING DOWN: In Manchester, Owen Gibson reports the int'l promotion of the '12 London Games is "among projects facing budget cuts" due to a $264.3M (all figures US) "hole in the mayor's Olympic legacy budget." Of that, $176.7M was "due to be paid out in this financial year." But now it will "have to be accounted for with advanced funds, a deferral of money owed to the Olympic Delivery Authority" and $74.3M "lost from existing projects or not reallocated from those expiring." Liberal Democrat London Assembly Olympics spokesperson Dee Doocey yesterday said, "Once again this undermines confidence in and raises questions about internal processes at the London Development Agency. This shortfall will have to be met by taking funding away from key programmes helping Londoners during the recession. What we heard today amounts to nothing less than breathtaking incompetence" (Manchester GUARDIAN, 9/16).

LANGUAGE OF LOVE: Canadian Heritage & Official Languages Minister James Moore yesterday said that VANOC will receive C$7.7M in "new federal funds added to their budget to ensure" the '10 Vancouver Olympics and Paralympics will be bilingual. Moore said that the "new money would go toward translation and interpretation services, as well as improving signs at and around official event sites in Vancouver" (NATIONAL POST, 9/16).