The Olympics are over. The opening and closing ceremonies were spectacular. There was plenty of great competition and drama all throughout the Olympics. While I am usually apathetic towards the Olympics, I do find myself now looking forward to the future, the 2016 Olympics, which I predict will be held in my hometown, Chicago. As I wrote in the May 2008 issue of Global Traveler magazine (back issues are still available), the 2016 Olympics would really showcase the ascension of Chicago to world-class status.

During the reign of Mayor Richard M. Daley, Chicago has evolved from a gritty city where things got done to a beautiful, smoothly functioning city where things are always happening. Chicago would be the perfect place for the event in 2016.

Of course, as a publication distributor, the Olympics would present a logistical nightmare beyond imagination for me. Several regular city events, like Jazz Fest, Venetian Night, etc. already wreak havoc with distribution. The Taste of Chicago is a 10-day traffic jam, which requires our distribution crews to reroute and reschedule their usual deliveries. Still, these events are part of the fabric of Chicago, and my inconvenience is a small price to pay. The Olympics would make all of these other events look minor in comparison. Of course, my logistical headaches would be astronomical, but I am willing to make that sacrifice for the good of the city.

I do think it would only be fitting to bring softball back to the Olympics for 2016. As it stands now, softball (and baseball) will not be part of the 2012 event, but could be voted back for 2016. Chicago would be the perfect place to see softball reinstated. If I may take a step further, I would like to see 16-inch slow-pitch softball be at least a demonstration sport. This is Chicago’s very own. It is a game of skill and strategy. Some may scoff at this version of softball (Fran), but I maintain that it is the most enjoyable and competitive version of the game. There is true beauty in this game.

I guarantee that if Chicago gets the Olympics, there will be plenty of television features on our pizza, beer, sausage, etc. They will highlight the Sears Tower, Water Tower Place, Navy Pier and Millennium Park. Oprah, Richard Roeper and Jim Belushi will scramble for the spotlight. However, if they really want to showcase the heart and soul of Chicago, softball must take its rightful place with the other sports.

-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist