What Chicago's Olympic Bid Means to you

In a break from football on this snowy day....

If you didn't already hear, Chicago will be the United States bid city for the 2016 Summer Olympics bid. The bid's Web site is here. From what we've read, the majority of events would take place in the city and its suburbs, although Notre Dame could be involved should Chicago be selected.

The Chicago Tribune reported in July that Notre Dame would potentially host preliminary round soccer matches. This could be interesting because if the matches were hosted in Notre Dame Stadium, which would be possible considering the interest in soccer on a world stage, would the dates potentially conflict with Irish football. From looking at old dates for the Summer Olympics, it is possible but unlikely.

We spoke with Notre Dame Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations John Heisler, who said he hadn't heard anything about the use of facilities at Notre Dame or whether or not Irish athletic director Kevin White was on one of the Chicago 2016 committees, as suggested by InsideIndianaBusiness.com in July.

Keep in mind, it is possible Heisler and White never really discussed it because before today, all of it was speculative at best.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette