Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Summer Olympics. The International Olympic Committee today chose Rio as the host city, marking the first time a South American city has been chosen, as Chicago was eliminated in the first round of voting.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama spoke on behalf of Chicago during the city’s final presentation, as did Mayor Richard Daley, but their final sales pitches were not enough to sway the International Olympic Committee voters. Chicago received only 18 votes in the first round, which saw Madrid receive 28 votes, Rio 26 and Tokyo 22. Tokyo was eliminated in the second round of voting.
News coverage and reaction from the Windy Citizen, Greg Hinz’s blog on Crain’s Chicago Business, and the Beachwood Reporter.