MILWAUKEE - When linking sports and Chicago, people in Wisconsin tend to think in not-so-friendly terms.

Think Packers-Bears, Brewers-Cubs and the like.

But if the International Olympic Committee selects Chicago as the site of the world's biggest sporting event in 2016, a tourism executive from here says Milwaukee should rejoice at the success of its FIB (read: Friendly Illinois Buddy) neighbors to the south, because of the spillover benefits that would flow north.

"It's still a little murky as to all the details, but there's no lose for Southeastern Wisconsin. It's just a win," says Dave Fantle of VISIT Milwaukee.

"I always say that when it comes to baseball and football, they're our rivals. They're our hated enemies. When it comes to winning the Olympics, I think there's something for all of us if they win the Olympics."

To begin with, even a region as large as Chicago can't possibly house all of the estimated millions of travelers that typically descend upon a city hosting the world's largest gathering.

"There's certainly going to be potential for hotel occupancy in the Southeastern Wisconsin region," said Fantle.

"We have some 15,000 hotel rooms in the region, so certainly we could benefit from it. There's been some talk about Southeastern Wisconsin having some possible practice venues for some of the sports. All signs are that we probably will not have actual events here."

Additionally, many of those travelers who choose to stay in Chicago may want a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city, and could be interested in the things that only Milwaukee can offer.

"The other thing is general tourism," explained Fantle.

"You're going to get tens of thousands of visitors from throughout the world. We have the only Harley museum in the world. Harley is certainly an iconic corporate brand. It's inevitable that people are going to come up here. Maybe they want to see the Calatrava addition to the Art Museum. There could be some tourism."

Chicago is also one of America's major convention destinations, but much of its convention space - especially the spacious McCormick Place - will be taken up by Olympic events and other related activities.

Milwaukee could reap the benefits by snapping up some of those events.

"During that whole window of 2016, Chicago's not going to be getting any conventions in McCormick Place. Is that an opportunity for Milwaukee to possibly win some conventions that would go normally to Chicago?"

How well could people going to Chicago reach Milwaukee in the insane levels of traffic expected during that time?

"A lot of it will depend on what the transit situation is between now and 2016," said Fantle.

"Certainly, the I-94 corridor will be redone, we hope, by then. There could also be some new rail transportation between Milwaukee and Chicago that will make it easier for people to get up here."

The benefits could easily be reaped by Mitchell International Airport.

"They say that Milwaukee is the third Chicago-area airport. With more traffic, more airline coverage in Milwaukee, hopefully that will continue to expand between now and '16. I think there's more potential to bring people in our airport."