The IOC announced that Chicago and Tokyo have been rejected as sites for the 2016 Olympics. Rio de Janeiro and Madrid are the finalists. The announcement as to who will host the 2016 Olympics will happen between 12-12:30 EST.
This is a particularly big disappointment to President and Mrs. Obama who traveled to Copenhagen to give a boost to Chicago in hopes that the windy city would host the 2016 Olympics. Obama used both his stature as a statesman and his personal life story for impact. He held out the prospect of a Chicago games helping reconnect the United States with the world after the presidency of his predecessor, George W. Bush.
Mrs. Obama traveled to Copenhagen and worked effortlessly on the campaign in hopes of having Chicago be the host city for the 2016 Olympics. Oprah Winfrey was also an integral part of the campaign.
The bidding process for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games was officially launched on 16 May 2007. The first step for each city was to submit an initial application to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by 13 September 2007, confirming their intention to bid. Completed official bid files, containing answers to a 25-question IOC form, were to be submitted by each applicant city by 14 January 2008. Four candidate cities were chosen for the shortlist on 4 June 2008: Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo (which hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics).
A disappointed Chicago and Tokyo must now step aside. With just Rio and Madrid left in the running, the world is standing by to find out who the IOC has selected as the host of the 2016 Olympics. More information will be coming soon when the announcement is made.
Written by Cheryl Phillips
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