Olympic Gold?

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Barry Sanders of the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games have nothing to be ashamed of.

The U.S. Olympic Committee decision to go with Chicago as the American city nominated for the 2016 Games was no reflection on their effort – a glitzy, detailed, comprehensive package laying out the city's ability to hold the event today, if needed.

Instead, Los Angeles became the victim of the capricious nature of Olympics politics, where they prefer to see cities jump through hoops to win the hosting duties.

Where Los Angeles needed only one new facility fo hose the Gamnes, Chicago is promising to spend more than $1 billion for all it needs.

Reporters there are already salivating over the future stories of construction delays and cost overruns that are sure to follow.