Olympics in Rio

Since the founding of the modern Olympics in 1896, it has always been a great sense of pride for a city to host the games.  In our world full of hostility and contempt, the Olympics are really the only time representatives from every country come together for friendly competition.  Although winning a metal is certainly nothing to be taken lightly, it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of the world.  Another institution that somewhat resembles the spirit of the Olympics is the United Nations, but more serious business is conducted there.  

The Obamas campaigned fiercely in Denmark for the Olympics to be held in Chicago, the largest city in Illinois.  It makes sense that they would have some connections to Chicago since Obama was a senator in Illinois, but how much goes into hosting the Olympic games?  And is it really worth the effort?  In any city where the games are held, millions of dollars are spent and years of disruptive construction upsets the lives of the people who live there.  The Beijing Olympics is best known for the enormous "bird's nest" that was constructed, but was the energy and money really worth it for some three weeks worth of games?  Granted, the structures built for the games are always impressive and last a long time, but is pride, and arguably nationalism, worth disrupting the natives?  Our country is going through enough right now, and I would think that Obama would be wise enough to focus on the problems at hand rather than flying off to Copenhagen to deliberate with other heads of state over the location of the next games.  Who knows?  Maybe by the time the Olympics roll around our economy will be fixed and he will have some spare time, but it is unlikely.  Rio is known for throwing a good party, and I'm sure they won't disappoint this time around.