In a stunning development that has left the journalism world reeling, Jay put down his Heinekin, left the restaurant that specializes in animal penis recipes and went to a press conference. He even copied down some quotes correctly. Patrick Ryan (pictured right), Chairman of the Chicago 2016 bid for the Olympics, stood in the USA House, in front of a picturesque panorama of the Chicago skyline and answered questions about Chicago’s chances of landing the Olympics.

Jay didn’t ask any of these questions, of course, but we take our progress notes in baby steps when it comes to him*.

Most of the stuff was pretty softball. There was one funny question about bribing the IOC (based on Chicago’s legendary way of getting things done) that went completely over little Jay’s tiny head. But, for the most part, it was just some hometown cheerleading and a nice look at Mr. Ryan’s passion for amateur sports.

In other words, there was a whole lot of nothing there.

Jay, however, has been waffling about Chicago’s Olympic bid for quite some time. If we are going to do it we need to spend more than China’s measly 40 billion (yes, with a ‘b’) dollars (his* usual way of dealing with any issue) or we shouldn’t get it because the terrorists and crazy people will come to town. Not a lot of middle ground there, but we are talking about Jay, not normal people.

But why has Jay been fixated on this? Why should a man* who rarely sees the sports he* is writing* about care if the world’s largest athletic event comes to Chicago? The answer showed up in some basic research I was doing for today’s post. PATRICK RYAN posted a video update of his trip to Beijing on August 17, 2008. And there it was. Michael Phelps is a board member of Chicago 2016.

Which means that Chicago could be treated to 24/7 coverage of Phelps as he graces our beaches in his Speedo (TM) sponsored swim-wear, trains in our pools, tells little photo-opps (sorry, I meant ‘children’) to stay in school, orders his 10,000 calorie breakfast from room service and so on.

Simply put, this is Jay’s wet dream made flesh and he* can’t have his* city making him* look bad in front of his* dream date du jour.

In other words, you can expect a lot more of Jay’s stunning insights on the inner workings of an Olympic bid. Much like this;

I’ve written often that my major concerns are finances, transportation and venues. It’s safe to say the IOC has the same concerns, based on criticism of the local bid in an extensive report that ranked Chicago third of the four finalists—behind Tokyo and Madrid and ahead of crime-ridden Rio. As noted earlier this month when I visited Daley in the glittering Beijing subway, our L tracks are archaic and need a complete overhaul in the billions. Also, how do Olympic visitors get to some of the major sites? Are they really going to take the L, as currently constituted, to the United Center and the nearby swimming venue? Where is the public transportation to McCormick Place, home of athletic events and media centers?

Well, I can certainly help with that last bit of worry. CLICK HERE to get directions on Public Transportation from anywhere in the City to McCormick Place.

You’re welcome.

As to the rest, there is a lot more than just the ranking in play when the IOC makes its decisions or it wouldn’t be being held in China this year. Also, as Mr. Ryan noted on several occasions and in his press conference yesterday, the host city provides shuttle buses for the press and any authorized people who need them. So, no Jay, neither you nor any media member will be forced to take public transportation with the great unwashed.

TomD, a proud member of the profane proletariat, has already started a thread, so CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE FUN!