Not to get ahead of ourselves -- Chicago is a long way from having its bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games accepted -- but you have to admit it's got a pretty cool logo going for it. Shaped like the Olympic torch, the red, green and blue design cleverly incorporates the lake, the parks and the skyline, with the Sears Tower stretching to golden heights. And best of all, the torch is a symbol of budget-minded thinking: It was designed for free.
Chicagoans will need a bit more assurance that they're not going to end up paying for the Olympics, which will require the construction of a giant stadium (which Mayor Daley envisions building in Washington Park) and other facilities and services all around town. Upfront bidding costs must be privately financed and the business community's jury is out on the idea. They're still dizzy from the inflated costs of Millennium Park.
But that project worked out pretty well, don't you think? And nearly 80 percent of Cook County residents favor the Olympics, according to a poll. So even if the time isn't quite right to start turning out those official Chicago 2016 T-shirts, coffee mugs and keychains, it isn't too early to ponder the possibilities encapsulated by the logo -- which also has a certain "Star Wars"- ian glow. May the force be with us.
Photos: Logo unveil at Millennium Park
© 2006 Chicago Sun-Times