2016 Olympics: Did Derrion Albert Beating Footage Kill Chicago's Dream?

By: Ryan Smith
Topics: Daily Blotter

(My Fox Chicago)

Image: Mob attacks Derrion Albert, captured on cell phone video.

NEW YORK (CBS/AP) Chicago's 2016 Olympic dreams were dashed today. The city was eliminated Friday in the first round of voting by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Several hours later, the IOC pronounced Rio de Janeiro, Brazil the winner.

Photos: Derrion Albert Beating Death Video

But Chicago's rapid elimination despite a personal push by the uber-charismatic President Obama, has left Crimesider wondering if IOC members had seen images of the brutal beating death of Chicago honor student Albert Derrion and if the carnality of the 16-year-old's slaying may have played a role in their decision.

There is no way to know, of course, what exactly the IOC saw, but much of America has already seen pieces of an uncut cell phone video which showed teens viciously beating Derrion with splintered railroad ties, hands and feet. Derrion did not survive the attack.

It's with that backdrop that President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama went to Copenhagen earlier this week with the goal of impressing the International Olympic Committee members that Chicago was the right place to bring the 2016 Olympics.

Clearly it didn't work.

(Family photo)

Photo: Derrion Albert.
Photos: Derrion Albert Beating Death Video

On Wednesday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the video was "chilling" and that the topic came up at one of President Barack Obama's morning meetings in the Oval Office.

"This is not just a Chicago-specific problem," Gibbs said. "Obviously, youth crime and gang violence are something that this administration takes seriously. And we'll have more on that soon."

Friday afternoon, IOC officials pronounced Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, one of the most crime-ridden cities in the world, the winner.

Photos: Derrion Albert Beating Death Video

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
September 30, 2009 - Derrion Albert Beating Video "Chilling," Says White House
September 30, 2009 - Derrion Albert Beating Death: Three Killers Still on the Loose
September 29, 2009 - Photos: Derrion Albert Uncut Beating Death Video
September 29, 2009 - Derrion Albert Uncut Beating Death Video Too Much for Mother to Watch
September 29, 2009 - Derrion Albert Video Shows Teens Beating Christian Fenger High School Student to Death

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by Constitionalist October 5, 2009 10:56 AM EDT: As for my opinion on the persons who perpetrated this crime, I believe that we need to look at this as a business would. These people not only robbed him of his life, they robbed society of a bright dedicated individual. Since they have caused harm and will now presumably be a burden on society since we will have to pay to jail them, they should be 'let go'. But before we go discussing how to do this in the most painful or gruesome fashion, I remind you that there are many productive members of society waiting for an organ transplant.; Reply to this comment


by st956703 October 4, 2009 9:29 PM EDT: I CERTAINLY HOPE SO!!!!!
I was in Chicago in 1981 and the south west sector was where I was (accidently) headed before police swooped in, picked me up and shifted me to a future not clouded by murder.....mine..
SO WHY DID RIO NOT GET KNOCKED OUT BEFORE THE RACE STARTED???????
Love the city - shame about the thugs... what happened to the Chicago blues scene???
(W)rapped up and binned, I guess.; Reply to this comment


by carolcape October 3, 2009 11:25 PM EDT: I congratulate Rio for getting the olympics, like you say, it is their turn. Rio is one beautiful place and surely they can afford to host the olympics. There was a lot of negativity about the oly going to Chicago. I did not feel at all positive about them hosting the oly. Just because Oprah went over, ah, come on. Oprah is okay, but she is getting on my nerves lately, sorry. Hats off to Rio and I hope they have a great time over there. If I could afford to go, I certainly would love to.; Reply to this comment


by emenot October 3, 2009 8:24 PM EDT: 100%; Reply to this comment


by cuffhead October 3, 2009 2:06 PM EDT: Come on, People are getting freak out about this for no reason. Does
anyone even remember who won the medals in China except that pot smoking swimmer?; Reply to this comment


by RobertTussey October 3, 2009 12:15 PM EDT: You would have to be a hermit NOT to be aware of the violence in Chicago. And yes I have no doubt in my mind it swayed the IOC voters.
Also the corruption of the city officials and state. Burris appointment, govener and such. City polititians.

Did IOC members have visions of the commentators during the Olymics talking about visitors being shot, raped, robbed, how much was ripped off by city official and their friend on varous Olympic projects? I think it had to be on their minds for Chicago to be dropped so fast in the voting. I think they just saw it as to many possible black eyes for the games.

Chicago Poloitics has always been corrupt, I grew up there, left in 1965 for military service. My family dad, uncles grand parents all in the trades, construction, union guys. It was a standing joke, how the polititians would line their pockets on every project, but at least the citizens got schools roads parks and so on. Today the same group, with new people in, still line their pockets but the projects don't come, the people don't get their cut anymore

Chi town always had gangs, but the violence was limited to the gangs and it's members, not inocents. Kids could play on the street in the park, not any more.

Yep I think Chicago crossed a line and entered the dark side, has gone from nod and wink corruption and crime, to some place no one wants to near, associated with, terrified of.; Reply to this comment


by Dunestrider October 3, 2009 12:06 PM EDT: Chicago didn't get it because Illinois is a hotbed of corrupt politicians. Half of their governors from the last thirty years are either in prison or awaiting trial. Although I was an Obama supporter and voter, he embarrassed himself by, not only Chicago losing the Olympic bid, but it came in dead last. The Obama honeymoon is over.; Reply to this comment


by jab232 October 3, 2009 10:18 AM EDT: Whatever killed it, many Republicans cheered. I was appalled that the GOP would cheer against America for its own political gain.; Reply to this comment


by missyFL October 3, 2009 9:51 AM EDT: 2016 Olympics: Did Derrion Albert Beating Footage Kill Chicago's Dream?

Did the Derrion Albert beating footage kill the young man's dream? President Obama has yet to recognize there are issues of greater importance than his self-centered focus. Why was the Olympics his/Chicago's dream when young men are living like that in his "hometown"? They really need their community organizer back.; Reply to this comment


by Hosheen October 3, 2009 6:37 AM EDT: Chicago lost because it's a dirt, violent city with nothing to recommend it.

Perhaps some backlash from the Bush years didn't help, either. The USA isn't the most popular nation on earth right now and may never be again.

Rio, while it has problems with crime and graffiti, is a far more beautiful city and it's inhabitants are friendly, gracious, and will make everyone of any nation or race feel welcome. Brazil is also a rapidly emerging major player on the world stage. While I question the possibility of a real economic return on the investment they are prepared to make (R$100 billion, $56 billion USD) the payback in world opinion may be worth it. Yes, I do live in Brazil.; Reply to this comment