Two-thirds of Chicago residents back hosting Olympic Games

Two-thirds of Chicago residents back hosting Olympic Games

CHICAGO, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Nearly two-thirds of Chicago residents want the city to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, but most don't want tax money to pay for it, according to a new poll conducted by the Chicago Tribune.

Yet many supporters as well as a vast majority of those opposed to bringing the Games here don't buy the idea that private funds will cover nearly all the costs.

Mayor Richard Daley's push for the Games was favored by 64 percent and opposed by 28 percent in the poll of registered voters from Chicago and the suburbs.

But 75 percent of all those surveyed said they were against the use of tax money to cover any financial shortfalls.

The international sporting event could boost the city's struggling economy, improve its international reputation and help fix a troubled public transportation system, those surveyed said.

Asked about the biggest potential disadvantages, they cited taxpayer costs, congestion and security threats.

The survey of 350 people, conducted Wednesday through Thursday, has an error margin of 5.2 percentage points.

The poll comes a week before Chicago and its rivals -- Tokyo, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro -- must submit formal bids to the International Olympic Committee in Switzerland. The bids are due Thursday and international officials will choose a winner in October.

Before selecting a city to host the Games, the IOC wants assurances residents like the idea. The bids ask for evidence of popular support, including any poll and referendum results.