Oct. 2 2009 - 11:25 am | 262 views | 1 recommendation | 0 comments

Rio to host 2016 Games. Chicago stunned, knocked out on first round.

By LEEANN MATON

Image via Wikipedia

Just announced by the IOC, Rio De Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games, the first games ever to take place in South America. (And if you’re fluent in Portugese, read all about Rio’s reaction to their win here).

Meanwhile in Chicago, pundits are already calling this a major loss of face for both President Obama and Mayor Daley, who both staked “personal as well as political capital on the city’s bid.” ABC 7 broadcast on their live feed this morning from Daley Plaza, Chicagoans were stunned that the International Olympics Committee knocked out the Windy City after the first round of voting.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson was just interviewed and told ABC 7 that, “We’ll bounce back, but we’re shocked.” Aldermen interviewed are saying that their “jaws dropped” upon hearing that Chicago was knocked out in the first round, especially because the bid seemed to have so much momentum going into the decision.

Perhaps one Chicagoan interviewed at Daley plaza has said it best: “I’m a Cubs fan. I’m used to this.”

[update]

After one dude ominously handed over a sheet of paper to another dude after the first round of voting, the IOC announced that Chicago was knocked out of Olympic contention because it failed to get enough votes. This is earth-shattering for Chicago, who has been following media coverage all week insinuating that Tokyo was the clear underdog and that Chicago was one of the “hot” bids along with Rio and Madrid

[update II]

Tokyo has been eliminated. The race is between Madrid and Rio de Janeiro, with voting occurring right now (10:31 am central time). I should sooo be studying for a midterm right now…

[update III]

From the Chicago Tribune:

Chicago has been eliminated from Olympic balloting in the early rounds of voting by the International Olympic Committee, a stunningly swift defeat for the U.S. bid personally pitched by President Barack Obama.

Balloting continues in Copenhagen, where Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Madrid were also seeking approval to host the 2016 Summer Games.

To some observers, it appeared that Chicago’s bid had been fast gathering momentum in the last week. Daley and others began to show their confidence as one piece after another fell into place. From First Lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey’s early commitments to travel with them to Copenhagen, to President Barack Obama’s late decision to go, to bad news trickling out about the Rio’s bid, indicators looked to be going Chicago’s way.

But members of the International Olympic Committee are known for being unpredictable, even impulsive, when they gather to pick a host city.

If I know my Chicago media, look for soon-to-be unleashed flood of Monday Morning Quarterback analysis of why we didn’t get the games, even though our rock-star hometown president personally flew to Copenhagen to promote the bid. My guess?: Probably a combination of the fact that Chicago’s bid lacked widespread support from its citizens, and that its financial plan was all but assured to go over budget.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to take a midterm exam (breathing a little easier all the while, knowing that I won’t have to pay for an Olympics in seven years). Ciao!