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USOC Picking Up Pieces From Failed Chicago Bid

The blame game and finger pointing over Chicago’s failed bid for the '16 Games are in full gear, and the fallout will be one of the most closely watched stories for the rest of the year. The USOC is facing heavy criticism over the IOC’s rejection of the U.S. bid, putting the brass in Colorado Springs clearly on the defensive. NBC’s Dick Ebersol continues to be very vocal -- and pulls no punches -- on the failure of USOC leadership, offering his suggestions for possible successors to the current team. Also, several NGBs are calling for major changes atop the organization before they meet via teleconference on Wednesday. But Chicago 2016’s leadership team does not escape the criticism, as the Monday Morning QB’s are calling the bid’s campaign “dull and scripted,” as the committee put together a “flat and uninspired” presentation in Copenhagen and “failed miserably” at the primary job of marketing. While all talk on future U.S. bids moves to the back-burner, the IOC’s move to award the Games to a South American country for the first time is largely met with applause.

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