Don't cry for me, says Chicago.

Though it would have been nice to showcase the city, and put thousands of workers back to building, Chicago will be o.k.

Always has.

I think hosting the Games might have united younger black and white populations in need of visible work opportunities, ethnic coalitions, north and south, much as rooting for the Bears, but with a greater injection of hope and accompanying economic opportunity.

Still, there's nothing like a loss sincerely felt to propel some players into better defining realistic goals, and working their asses off to simply get those jobs done. A joint loss might unite some in working to find other projects, much as contractors do when their bids ultimately aren't accepted.

I think the Chicago area's neighborhood churches and religious communities do a good job overall in bringing individuals together weekly for a common cause. But daily, for a work purpose ... you really can't beat that. And it seems that's what's really needed in America today, the common idea that -- on the job -- we're all in it together and sabotaging the works benefits no one.

There will be other Olympics, sometimes you just have believe and follow the old mantra: The will to win is almost as important as the will to prepare to win ...

Still, today we mourn for the economic opportunity lost, and the loss of face to the enthusiastic pitchmen, who ultimately came up short this time around.

Really though it's true: you learn more about persons by how they adjust in handling losses, than you do in how they celebrate victory, which is but a temporary state too.

UPDATE: Congratulations go to Rio!