Olympic Games Do Not Come to Chicago In 2016

On April 14, 2007, Chicago was selected by the United States Olympic Committee as the United States Bid city. Then on June 4, 2008, the International Olympic Committee named Chicago as one of four finalists to host the 2016 Olympic games.

And today, after all the controversy, after all the anticipation, Chicago was knocked out in the first round. What a bummer… A somber mood just set in down in Daley Plaza.

Olympics stunner: Chicago knocked out in first round of 2016 voting

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.

And in 2016, it won’t be Chicago.

via Clout St: Olympics stunner: Chicago knocked out in first round of 2016 voting.