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**Misespimb** · 10-02-2009, 08:44 PM

Obama-backed bid for Chicago to host Olympics finishes last; Rio wins vote for 2016 Summer Games

By Michael Saul
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Updated Friday, October 2nd 2009, 12:55 PM

Morin/Getty
President Barack Obama presents Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics Friday - before his home city came in dead last in first-round voting.

The Windy City got blown away. Big time
The International Olympic Committee chose Rio de Janeiro to host the 2016 summer games Friday after tossing aside Chicago in the first round of voting.

President Obama had delivered Chicago's failed final sales pitch.
At the time of the vote, Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were aboard Air Force One en route to Washington.
While Chicago was bounced in the first round, Tokyo was ousted in Round Two. Rio de Janeiro edged Madrid in the final ballot.
Earlier in the day, Obama delivered a passionate plea, calling his adopted hometown the "most American of American cities."

"I've come here today to urge you to choose Chicago for the same reasons I chose Chicago nearly twenty-five years ago - the reasons I fell in love with the city I still call home," said Obama, who flew to Copenhagen to lead Chicago's final presentation.

Obama, the first U.S. president to attend an IOC host city selection meeting, described Chicago today in glowing terms.
"It's a bustling metropolis with the warmth of a small town where the world already comes together every day to live and work and reach for a dream," he said.

"That's not just the American dream. That's the Olympic spirit. That's why we want them in Chicago."
First Lady Michelle Obama, shining in a gold dress, also delivered an emotional and passionate pitch for the Windy City.
"I was born and raised on Chicago's South Side, not far from where the Games would open and close," she said.

"Ours was a neighborhood of working families -- families with modest homes and strong values.
"Sports were what brought our community together," she said. "They strengthen our ties to one another."
Michelle Obama talked about her late dad who suffered from multiple sclerosis.

She said some of her best memories are sitting on her dad's lap cheering on Olympians.
"I'm asking you to choose Chicago. I'm asking you to choose America," she said.

Along with TV talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, the Obamas undeniably brought mega-star power to the Chicago bid committee's final presentation.
Before winding up the five-hour visit and heading home, Obama met with the Danish prime minister, as well as the country's queen and prince.
Obama told reporters, "I think Chicago could not have made a better presentation. Obviously, now it's up to the IOC members."

On seeing the upbeat videos about Chicago, the president said, "It made me miss home."

10-02-2009, 08:44 PM	#1
Misespimb Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 376 Senior Member	Rio gets the 2016 Summer Olympics. Obama-backed bid for Chicago to host Olympics finishes last; Rio wins vote for 2016 Summer Games By Michael Saul DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER Updated Friday, October 2nd 2009, 12:55 PM Morin/Getty President Barack Obama presents Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics Friday - before his home city came in dead last in first-round voting. The Windy City got blown away. Big time The International Olympic Committee chose Rio de Janeiro to host the 2016 summer games Friday after tossing aside Chicago in the first round of voting. President Obama had delivered Chicago's failed final sales pitch. At the time of the vote, Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were aboard Air Force One en route to Washington. While Chicago was bounced in the first round, Tokyo was ousted in Round Two. Rio de Janeiro edged Madrid in the final ballot. Earlier in the day, Obama delivered a passionate plea, calling his adopted hometown the "most American of American cities." "I've come here today to urge you to choose Chicago for the same reasons I chose Chicago nearly twenty-five years ago - the reasons I fell in love with the city I still call home," said Obama, who flew to Copenhagen to lead Chicago's final presentation. Obama, the first U.S. president to attend an IOC host city selection meeting, described Chicago today in glowing terms. "It's a bustling metropolis with the warmth of a small town where the world already comes together every day to live and work and reach for a dream," he said. "That's not just the American dream. That's the Olympic spirit. That's why we want them in Chicago." First Lady Michelle Obama, shining in a gold dress, also delivered an emotional and passionate pitch for the Windy City. "I was born and raised on Chicago's South Side, not far from where the Games would open and close," she said. "Ours was a neighborhood of working families -- families with modest homes and strong values. "Sports were what brought our community together," she said. "They strengthen our ties to one another." Michelle Obama talked about her late dad who suffered from multiple sclerosis. She said some of her best memories are sitting on her dad's lap cheering on Olympians. "I'm asking you to choose Chicago. I'm asking you to choose America," she said. Along with TV talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, the Obamas undeniably brought mega-star power to the Chicago bid committee's final presentation. Before winding up the five-hour visit and heading home, Obama met with the Danish prime minister, as well as the country's queen and prince. Obama told reporters, "I think Chicago could not have made a better presentation. Obviously, now it's up to the IOC members." On seeing the upbeat videos about Chicago, the president said, "It made me miss home."
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