The Chicago Tribune formed its own panel of international judges -- made up of tourists -- to tour and evaluate the city's proposed venues for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
"When an International Olympic Commission visits Chicago starting Thursday, reporters generally will be kept at arm's length. So the Tribune formed its own international panel by pulling tourists off the street and taking them for a limo ride to proposed venues.
We found them snapping pictures of the American Gothic-themed statue in Pioneer Court and at the Harris Family Hostel in the South Loop. They were from such far-flung locales as Australia, Poland and Wisconsin, and ranged in age from 18 to 61. In exchange, we promised them lunch.
It's hard for us to know how our city looks to outsiders. So here is a frank assessment from this group: If Chicago's 2016 Olympics bid were judged solely on the aesthetics of the proposed venues downtown, its bid would be formidable indeed."
FULL STORY: Chicago Olympics: Tourists get a jump on IOC judges
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UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research