A look at Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Summer Games

A look at Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympics:

Population: 2.9 million, with a metropolitan area of 9.6 million.

Previous Olympics: None.

Major sporting events hosted: Chicago Marathon, 2007 World Boxing Championships, 1994 World Cup soccer, 1959 Pan American Games.

Number of venues: 31; 15 already exist, and nine would be temporary structures. Seven, including the main Olympic stadium and village, need to be built.

Projected Cost: $4.8 billion. Includes a separate budget of $1.03 billion for the Olympic village, which is being built regardless if Chicago gets the games and will essentially be paid for by developers.

Pros: Compact plan has 90 percent of athletes within 15 minutes of venues; use of temporary venues and venues that can be scaled down post-games reduces risk of “white elephants” and could limit costs; legacy of youth sports programs; Lake Michigan provides picturesque backdrop; strong partnership with city and federal governments—President Barack Obama’s home is within walking distance of planned Olympic stadium; American host city would be attractive to U.S. broadcasters, and TV contract—which provides the IOC with its largest chunk of revenues—hasn’t been negotiated yet.

Cons: Recent missteps by U.S. Olympic Committee aggravated already tense relations with some IOC members; use of temporary or scaled-down venues “increases the element of risk” to the organizing committee; heavy reliance on public transport, particularly commuter rail, could tax system; IOC would like to see clearer definition between city and organizing committee’s roles and responsibilities.

IOC evaluation report comment: “The lakefront setting of venues, live sites, parklands, and cultural institutions and activities should help create a festive atmosphere in a city that has good experience in hosting lakefront festivals.”