My mom was in Brazil for a month. They were robbed in Rio a few times...watch off the wrist...necklace ripped off the neck...and tons and tons of bi-sexual and lesbian women approaching her night and day. She was telling me yesterday that although in beauty and festivities Rio wins hands down over Chicago they both are ridden with crime.
Did you know there is a big active campaign to bring the 2020 Olympics to Birmingham, Alabama? Not kidding. Apparently, the city is willing to quote “give” thousands of acres to developers to build whatever is needed for the events to take place there.
You don’t see that kind of offer being put on the table for major cities like Chicago, NY, Los Angeles.
In my opinion Miami is the best option. Here are my reasons why:
Landshark Stadium - Home of the Dolphins
Marlins new stadium - Opens in 2011
American Airlines Arena - Miami right off the bay
Miami Arena - Built in the 80s but still hosts plenty of events
Bank Atlantic Center - Arena for the Panthers
Lockhart Stadium - FAU Football Stadium
University of Miami - Track and Field Stadium
Ft. Lauderdale Olympic Aquatic Center
Highways - Sawgrass Expressway, 595, 75, Ronald Reagan Turnpike, I-95
Airports - Ft.Lauderdale International Airport, Miami International Airport, Palm Beach International Airport
Tri-Rail - Train the runs from Miami to Palm Beach
Over 600 hotels in 3 counties
Atlantic Ocean, Miami Beach, Ft. Lauderdale Beach
Port Everglades
Why Chicago was even a consideration is beyond me. Miami has a ton to offer and is more welcoming to not only South Americans, but Latin Americans, Canadians, and the vast majority of tourists who love the place to begin with. You hold events in Broward and Dade counties...it costs you very little in tax payer dollars in comparison because you already have the venues built to support it!
Yes, you have to build new facilities and landscape etc...but you would have contracts laid out til 2020!
But the weather would be awful... (I have a real hard time with humidity)
The Olympics ain't it!