The battle for the bid: Chicago 2016, No Games Chicago, and the lessons to be learned

This case provides information on the Chicago 2016 bid process and the efforts by No Games Chicago to prevent the city of Chicago from hosting the 2016 Olympics, and allows students to consider the bid process through a community development lens. After learning about the Chicago 2016 bid, students are asked to apply this information to a hypothetical bid organization, Houston 2028, and consider how to work with community organizations to maximize the chances of success for this bid. In 2009, Chicago lost the vote to host the 2016 Olympics, and after years of planning and campaigning, the loss came as a surprise and disappointment to many. One group that was not disappointed, though, was No Games Chicago, a vocal opposition group to the bid. No Games Chicago organized protests, public forums, media efforts and more in an effort to prevent the bid from being successful. After learning about the Chicago 2016 bid, students are asked to apply this information to a hypothetical bid organization, Houston 2028, and consider how to work with community organizations to maximize the chances of success for this bid.