[Via Chicago]

Do you really think that the Olympic officials would trade this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTlAl0kBelA) for this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8lwOSKt4ZU)!!!

Go RIO!!!!!!!!!!! Obama's from there, and even he can bring the games to the Windy City!!!

http://www.ocmojo.com/zzyzxx/Bunny-pancake.jpg
http://www.ocmojo.com/zzyzxx/Bunny-pancake.jpg

[Chicago Shawn]

^Ha, my thoughts on that post exactly.


Miami for some reason is also very popular abroad, and I think the reason is because those cities are somewhat more "exotic", whatever this means, and on the coast.



Funny you mentioned that, I was in Paris three weeks ago and watched CSI Miami dubbed into French in my hotel room. No doubt American TV and movies influences the world's perception of American cities.


I will swing by Daley Plaza at 9am tomorrow but I do have to work the rest of the day, and will not actually see the announcement. I am up for meeting at the Billy Goat tomorrow night if celebration is in order...

[BVictor1]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-090916-summer-olympics-chicago-pictures,0,7486484.photogallery

Countdown to the 2016 Olympics Chicago's campaign to land the 2016
Summer Olympics is in full gear. On Oct. 2 the International Olympic Committee will announce which city will host the Summer Games.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2009-10/49598434.jpg
White House arrival
(Getty photo by Peter Macdiarmid / October 1, 2009)
First lady Michelle Obama attends the Opening Ceremony of the 121st IOC session at the Copenhagen Opera House in Copenhagen, Denmark. The 121st session of the International Olympic Committee will vote Oct. 2, 2009 on whether Chicago, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro or Madrid will host the 2016 Olympic Games.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2009-10/49597798.jpg
Chicago power brokers
(Tribune photo by Michael Tercha / October 1, 2009)
Mayor Richard Daley and Oprah Winfrey arrive at the Copenhagen Opera House for the IOC session Opening Ceremony

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2009-10/49597996.jpg
Rooting for Chicago
(Tribune photo by Michael Tercha / October 1, 2009)
Chicago 2016 supporters hold a rally across the harbor from the Copenhagen Opera House as members and guests arrive for the IOC session Opening Ceremony.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2009-10/49594496.jpg
Olympic lunch date
(AFP/Getty photo by Keld Navntoft / October 1, 2009)
Chicago's Mayor Richard Daley, Oprah Winfrey and U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Laurie S. Fulton (right) arrive at Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen where the Danish royal couple is hosting the Olympic support VIP guests for lunch.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2009-10/49592804.jpg
The good wife
(Tribune photo by Michael Tercha / October 1, 2009)
Nadia Comaneci, center in orange, and her husband Bart Conner, right, are teased at Chicago 2016's 24 Hour Countdown press conference by their fellow Olympians after Comaneci said she supports Chicago's bid because she's a good wife and Conner told her to.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2009-09/49548282.jpg

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2009-09/49528455.jpg

[Dr. Taco]

ok, so i'm really getting anxious/excited now... especially after seeing those excellent pictures

[sentinel]

^^I have a little confession, I haven't slept since Monday, I couldn't figure out why, then I realized I had a lot of anxiety for some reason, and then it hit me: it's because of this bid LOL! It's kinda pathetic and unfortunately the truth :D

As a general comment, I think Chicago is in excellent company with Madrid, Rio and Tokyo - I genuinely believe that all four cities are highly capable of hosting the Games in 2016 and all personal bias aside for wanting Chicago to win, at this point whichever city wins, I personally will still be very happy for the winner even if it isn't my beloved. This competition isn't about the best city, but about the best BID - Sometimes it's easy to forget that. Each city, including our own has something unique to offer for the Games and it's a testament to each respective city's civic pride that these four excellent candidate cities got this far.

Good luck tomorrow Chicago 2016, you're always the winner in my book, and may the best bid win :)

[cbotnyse]

I just got word, I'll be taking pics from the top of the federal building, and probably from the stage for the final announcement, working for 2016.

cant wait!

[bnk]

Good job cbotnyse.


I wonder if the 1:30 am Chicago presention will be posted on youtube by the early morning so I can sleep tonight.

I am sure someone will post a link to it soon enough.

[nomarandlee]

:previous: props cbot, that is very cool. :tup: You deserve it. Are they going to have the rights to your photos or is a less structured then that?

[cbotnyse]

:previous: props cbot, that is very cool. :tup: You deserve it. Are they going to have the rights to your photos or is a less structured then that?I am volunteering my time right now, so they have the rights to use any pictures, but they remain my property.

[The North One]

god please let thing happen! this is just what chicago NEEDS!!!!

[wrabbit]

That's gonna be a blast, cbotnyse - congrats. Maybe I'll inadvertantly take a pic of you taking a pic.

[lawfin]

Forgive me I lack the patience right now to search but what time do they start the voting Chicago time

[BVictor1]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/01/michelle-obama-oprah-visi_n_306856.html

Michelle Obama, Oprah Visit Copenhagen Opera House: Belles Of The Ball (PHOTOS)

First Posted: 10- 1-09 04:31 PM | Updated: 10- 1-09 04:39 PM


First Lady Michelle Obama capped off her second day in Copenhagen by attending the opening ceremonies of the the 121st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session at the Copenhagen Opera House on Thursday night. She was with fellow Chicagoan Oprah Winfrey. The first lady wore a pumpkin colored dress while Oprah went for black ruffles.

See photos of what Michelle was wearing in Copenhagen on Wednesday and Thursday.

Scroll down for the pool report.

From the pool report, written by the Washington Post's fashion writer Robin Givhan:

Your pool was on hold on the second floor foyer of the Opera House at about 5:20pm when guests began to arrive to the strains of a chamber orchestra.
The setting, Copenhagen's Opera House, home to the Royal Danish
Orchestra
-- among several Royal Danish musical ensembles -- was glorious. The
building, with its central sphere-shaped auditorium, sits waterside.
There
were dramatically overcast skies with just a bit of early evening sun
glinting off the water. Boats sailed along the waterway and historic
buildings were visible in the distance.

Inside, small tables covered in white linen were sprinkled throughout
but
the only munchies your pooler could see were breadsticks. Where pray
tell
were the canapes? Perhaps they arrived after your pool was ushered into
the
auditorium.

The delegations arrived and sat grouped together stage right. Oprah
Winfrey
- hair smooth and pulled off her face was dressed in black (sorry,
couldn't
see the full frock) and seated to the right of Chicago mayor Richard
Daley.
They were up front although not in the front row.

7:02 Lula is in the house -- President of Brazil, that is. Waves. Hugs.
Cameras focus on him.

Michelle Obama arrives in a pumpkin satin cocktail dress - full skirt,
sleeveless and with criss-crossing straps in the back. No, it is not a
warm
evening in Copenhagen. But there is no weather in a motorcade. She sits
to
Oprah's right. No sign of Valerie Jarrett, but alas, your pooler does
not
have bionic eyes. So to recap: We have in a row, Daley, Oprah, Mrs.
Obama.

We do not manage to eyeball other heads of state.

Ceremony begins with the Danish National Anthem and that is followed by
the
Olympic hymn.

Speeches ensue by various Olympic officials including IOC president
Jacques
Rogge. Welcoming remarks from Danish prime minister Lars Lokke
Rasmussen,
who manages to merge athleticim with global warming - referencing the
upcoming summit on climate change that will take place in Copenhagen.

Then the dancing began. First up was the Jockey Dance by The Royal
Danish
Ballet.

Next was "Uncontaminated" a fabulously dramatic modern ballet performed
by
dancers in chocolate brown leotards and a perfectly exquisite lead
ballerina.

Next came a song about springtime in Denmark. Then more classical
ballet.

The Danish National Girls Choir sings "Plant a Tree." The song is all
about
uplift and what the individual can do to make the world a better place.
A
psychedelic tree grows on a video screen behind the girls who end their
song by posing like trees.

The Youth Ballet of the Royal Danish Theater performs -- ballet, hiphop,
jazz -- and exude much youthful vigor and underscore a message that the
youth are our future. Much charm oozed across the stage.

The evening ends with a George Balanchine ballet "Symphony in C." It was
performed by the Royal Danish Ballet. Music by Bizet.

Your pool was hustled through the mingling and eating dignitaries. (The
food arrived!!!) A Frank Sinatra song "The Lady is a Tramp" is being
crooned as we make our exit.



http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/2995/slide_2995_42414_large.jpg
U.S. first lady Michelle Obama stands with television talk show host Oprah Winfrey, second right, and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, right, as the Danish royal family enters at the opening ceremonies of the the 121st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session and XIII Olympic Congress at the Copenhagen Opera House, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009, in Copenhagen. Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo are competing to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games and the IOC will choose the winning city in a vote on Friday, Oct. 2, in Copenhagen. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool)

http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/2995/slide_2995_42402_large.jpg
US First Lady Michelle Obama attends the Opening Ceremony of the 121st IOC Session at the Copenhagen Opera House on October 1, 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The 121st session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will vote on October 2 on whether Chicago, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro or Madrid will host the 2016 Olympic Games. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/2995/slide_2995_42404_large.jpg
US first lady Michelle Obama (R) arrives for the opening ceremony of the 121st session of the International Olympic Congress on October 1, 2009 in Copenhagen. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will vote on the destiny of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games on October 2, 2009 in Copenhagen after a final round battle between Chicago, Madrid, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/2995/slide_2995_42406_large.jpg
U.S. first lady Michelle Obama sits with television talk show host Oprah Winfrey, second right, and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, right, at the opening ceremonies of the the 121st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session and XIII Olympic Congress at the Copenhagen Opera House, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009, in Copenhagen. Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo are competing to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games and the IOC will choose the winning city in a vote on Friday, Oct. 2, in Copenhagen. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool)

[Yankee]

Boy, I'm so excited, words can't describe it!! Less than 9 hours until Chicago's presentation! I've taken the day off tomorrow and reversed my sleeping schedule :D so I can be up all night watching the presentation, then the coverage and finally the announcement.

And I'm 2000 miles away in SF, thankfully the whole coverage will be streamed live on abc7chicago.com (but man, do I wish I could be at Daley Plaza)

Here's a detailed schedule for the entire night / morning:

1:45 - 2:55 Chicago Presents
3:25 - 4:35 Tokyo Presents
5:06 - 6:15 Rio de Janeiro Presents (boo)
7:45 - 8:55 Madrid Presents

09:00 am - IOC Evaluation Commission Reports
10:00 am - IOC Votes
11:30 am - CHICAGO WINS!

:cool:

[jboy560]

Wow. Michelle is looking really pretty...

[Seppuko_Panda]

Unfortunately it's raining here in Chicago right now, so its not the greatest night to go out and stand outside all night. I so hope its not a bad omen.

[ethereal_reality]

Michelle Obama looks like royalty.
She is absolutely stunning.

[Yankee]

:previous:

Indeed the First Lady makes us look good as always. Thank goodness she's there.

Our presentation is up first, which I think is an advantage. We'll get to enchant the IOC before the other members get their chance, and we won't be influenced negatively by what the others (Rio) have to say. In the case of Rio I'm suspecting their strategy will be mainly attacking us and our presentation, as opposed to focusing on their own strengths, which will only work toward our advantage. And we have the President and First Lady, Oprah and mayor Daley, all very well respected there. The odds are stacked in our favor!

[Via Chicago]

Wow. Michelle is looking really pretty...

And Daley is seriously looking old...

[Yankee]

More technical news about our presentation:

Only 10 speakers are allowed, plus our 2 IOC members.

Here are the speakers:

President Obama
Michelle Obama
Mayor Daley
Pat Ryan (Chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016)
Lori Healy (Chicago 2016 President)
Doug Arnot (Director of Sports and Operations for Chicago 2016)
Linda Mastandrea (Director of Paralympic Sports)
Larry Probst (US Olympic Committee Chairman)
Bob Ctwerlik (USOC Vice President)
Bryan Clay (American decathlete and Olympic Champion)

Anita Defrantz (IOC)
Jim Easton (IOC)

[cbotnyse]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/my%20photos/1days.jpg


http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/my%20photos/1day.jpg

[i_am_hydrogen]

^Nice shots. How could a city this beautiful NOT get the Olympics:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3484/3973409138_61d04391a2_o.jpg

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/2995/slide_2995_42402_large.jpg

:slob:

Wow. She is the face of our city. I really couldn't be prouder to be a Chicagoan.

[Mr Downtown]

http://i34.tinypic.com/9glkz7.png

[Seppuko_Panda]

Quite obviously thats from an old 1904 announcement.

[cbotnyse]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/my%20photos/Panorama4.jpg

[Chicago Shawn]

http://images2d.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp53698%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D334969756732%3Anu0mrj

http://images2d.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp53695%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D334969756832%3Anu0mrj

Little something that popped into my head on the way home...

T'was the night before the final decision,
Downtown window shades adjusted with careful precision.
While the extreme minority protested with opposition,
the quieter majority began to pray to everything that is holy.
We collectively hope to be awarded this great honor,
and plan on celebrating in plaza named after Hizzoner.

[BVictor1]

And Daley is seriously looking old...

Well, he is 67 years old. How do you want him to look.

[BVictor1]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/01/obama-heads-to-denmark-to_n_307159.html

Obama Heads To Denmark To Lobby For 2016 Olympics
| 10/ 1/09 07:02 PM |


http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gen/108657/thumbs/s-BARACK-OBAMA-large.jpg

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is on his way to Denmark to help his adopted hometown of Chicago try to land the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

Obama departed the White House on Thursday evening for an overnight flight to Copenhagen.

On Friday, he and first lady Michelle Obama are scheduled to make presentations before members of the International Olympic Committee, which will choose a host for the 2016 Games.

The Obamas' hometown of Chicago is competing against Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid.

Mrs. Obama arrived in Copenhagen on Wednesday and has met with several IOC members.

The president is scheduled to return to the White House on Friday afternoon.

[KB0679]

OK, how about I had no idea they would be announcing the winner on tomorrow, LOL.

All I know is that Chicago just deserves this. I'm not saying that any other city doesn't, but Chicago does, and I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for the best along with you guys. :)

[BVictor1]

The latest: Sen. Dick Durbin, who is accompanying Obama on the flight to Copenhagen, said that White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel was reluctant for the president to make the trip because of his busy schedule, coupled with the unresolved health care legislation.

[Ordo_]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/my%20photos/Panorama4.jpg

Legacy is looking sexxxy.

[Hayward]

I'm going to have a hard time working tomorrow morning. My office building has a big sign in the lobby that's been counting down the days for the past two weeks. Some of the people on my floor are actually in Copenhagen this week and have been shooting back emails of all the excitement. I'm incredibly anxious.

[spyguy]

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/towerticker/2009/10/chicago-2016-games-ioc-vote-charles-gibson-anchors-abc-world-news-here.html

Chicago 2016 Games IOC vote: Charles Gibson to anchor ABC 'World News' here
Phil Rosenthal

Charlie Gibson plans to anchor ABC's "World News" on Friday from Chicago, which will learn earlier in the day if it has been selected by the International Olympic Committee vote to host the 2016 Summer Games.

Gibson also will anchor a special report from Daley Plaza when word comes from Copenhagen as to whether the IOC has voted for Chicago, Rio, Tokyo or Madrid.

[Chicago_Forever]

I'm going to have a hard time working tomorrow morning. My office building has a big sign in the lobby that's been counting down the days for the past two weeks. Some of the people on my floor are actually in Copenhagen this week and have been shooting back emails of all the excitement. I'm incredibly anxious.


I had a hard time working all week, lol. I couldn't get anything done because I kept going online to check on what was going on. I took tomorrow off because I really wouldn't be able to get anything done.

[wrabbit]

All of a sudden this is feeling like an incredibly big deal to me. The media attention alone from a win would be just invaluable.

I have to say how really impressed I am with the stellar media savvy and professionalism of the Chicago delegation. Just smooth as silk. They've been amping their pitch gradually over the last week and have saved their biggest punches for the last 24 hours - that is really smart. Chicago may not get the prize, but the delegation will have made the city enormously proud regardless.

BTW, I agree with the other posters that Michelle Obama looked totally amazing tonight.

What a great threshold moment for Chicago. Keeping my fingers crossed.....

[Kngkyle©]

Well, if the competition is who has the biggest fk'n jets I would say Chicago wins. All in Copenhagen:

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/3276/scr1254463192.jpg

The lil jet is Oprah's of course. :P

[Yankee]

Brace yourselves folks, less than 25 minutes until Chicago's presentation! Godspeed!

Go to www.abc7chicago.com for live coverage.

[wrabbit]

Barack Obama er landet i Danmark
Air Force One med Amerikas præsident, Barack Obama, er landet i Københavns Lufthavn.
http://www.berlingske.dk/article/20091002/koebenhavn/91002007/

[Soaring_Higher]

Less than 20 minutes until the presentation!!!

This is it, four years of work culminates in these last few hours.

[wrabbit]

Live telecoverage of Chicago's presentation beginning now 1:30am on channels 2, 5, 7, 9 and 32.

[J_M_Tungsten]

^^^I know, Im so excited, I was just going to post if anyone else is waiting up for the presentation, guess I'm not the only one hahaha!!! I'm sure the excitment will be just as high at the Daley Center tomorrow, can't wait!

[spyguy]

^You're not alone.

I'm really enjoying this Cold Case Files episode on CBS :rolleyes:

[Yankee]

OMG, here we go...

[wrabbit]

Just starting. The delegates look like they are manning a PBS fundraiser. But wait, here comes Daley.....

[BVictor1]

Here we go...!!!:):):)

[spyguy]

FYI MSNBC and FNC are also covering the presentation. I don't know what CNN is doing. Jon and Kate are more important I guess.

[nomarandlee]

Don't know what I was expecting but these presentations are a bit more dry then I was expecting.

Rich seems to have gotten through without a hitch.

[wrabbit]

Great endorsement video from the youth of Chicago. They're really playing up our youth & diversity.

[J_M_Tungsten]

I noticed that too, also playing the obama and daley photos up a bit lol

[BVictor1]

I can't remember the last time I was this excited, giddy and nervous.

[wrabbit]

They're identifying the city with all of the individual voters' home cultures through the youth shots.

[nomarandlee]

Its so hard to know how we are doing since I have never seen one of these presentations before. We could be hitting a home run or striking out and I wouldn't know any better. :shrug:

[wrabbit]

Now they've flipped into infomertial sit-down chat mode mode.

[BVictor1]

Nice touch Mr. Arnot

[wrabbit]

Arnot is using his French - excellent!

[spyguy]

Its so hard to know how we are doing since I have never seen one of these presentations before. We could be hitting a home run or striking out and I wouldn't know any better. :shrug:

I don't know either. I think there should be a balance. Hosting the Olympics is a serious challenge and you have to convey your determination and strength (it's not all fun and jokes). There should also be some emotion. I'm hoping the President and First Lady can deliver on that part.

[wrabbit]

Okay, I want them to stop using "Great". Playing out so far like a classic sales presentation, plus some really good videos. I'm guessing that they've intentionally lowballed the first half.

[nomarandlee]

What ad agency helped them put this together I wonder. I want a refund.

[wrabbit]

Here comes Michelle! Go get 'em!

[BVictor1]

Okay, Michelle is getting to me :)

[wrabbit]

Wow - she really has become a powerful speaker.

[nomarandlee]

She's clearly been the best so far.

[wrabbit]

Here comes Obama! Applause in the room - is that for him or her? Maybe both?

[nomarandlee]

Obama's on. Show time. :D

[BVictor1]

Go Mr. President

[Chicago Shawn]

Michelle just hit a hit home run.

[J_M_Tungsten]

Nice breaking down the local scenes Mr. President!! Pilsen just hit the world scene!!

[nomarandlee]

Nice breaking down the local scenes Mr. President!! Pilsen just hit the world scene!!

Yea, that aspect needed to be stressed and he hit it well.

[BVictor1]

Damn...

[J_M_Tungsten]

wow

[BVictor1]

Slamdunk, homerun, touchdown ect...

[Chicago Shawn]

Bring on the questions.....

[J_M_Tungsten]

^^^exactly!!!

[nomarandlee]

9/10 for Obama.

[nomarandlee]

what the fark are they trying to ask??!! :whip:

[J_M_Tungsten]

ummm who is this nervous guy?

[nomarandlee]

Oh my god. That was the longest multi-question NO question question I have ever heard asked.

[J_M_Tungsten]

Ryan: lets throw it back to Arnot

[Chicago Shawn]

Damn, we rebounded that question on cycling well. Full condominium facilities at UW on a lake. I didn't even know that.

[wrabbit]

That legacy question is troubling.

[J_M_Tungsten]

yea thats kind of a bold statement to make. Making parks and games fun isn't really a legacy...

[wrabbit]

Good, Obama is tackling the legacy question.

[BVictor1]

I don't believe that any of the other cities have the diversity that Chicago does, and that works for us.

[wrabbit]

All in all a very good thing that Obama showed up; I don't think Michelle alone would have salvaged what was otherwise a dry presentation.

[Chicago Shawn]

This could be a meeting in Chicago...:haha:

We really played off the diversity card well. I was a bit underwhelmed by the presentation overall, but the Obamas really hit home. Lets see what happens at the press conference...

[Yankee]

That was STELLAR! THANK GOODNESS the President and first lady were there. At first we started a little slow, mayor Daley's was the first really strong speech I felt and then Michelle and Barack brought it home. Especially at the end, I was very happy the President took the legacy question, because I think that's one of our strongest selling points - what better place to bring the world together than where the world already is together :D

Great job! I think everyone would agree thank GOD the president decided to go, it wouldn't have been nearly as great without him. The fact they applauded the president is evidence - they NEVER applaud, this was totally unusual.

Our visuals were also stunning, and just the right amount of emotional content + total professionalism. I'm confident we're getting this, but lets hear from the other cities...

[nomarandlee]

For the very little my opinion is worth this is how I would break it down....


For the speakers I give an 8.5/10 (saved by the Obama's)

Video presentations - a very mediocre 5. Perhaps even a tad lower. I was expecting more somehow.

[nomarandlee]

This could be a meeting in Chicago...:haha:

We really played off the diversity card well. I was a bit underwhelmed by the presentation overall, but the Obamas really hit home. Lets see what happens at the press conference...

Yea, the diversity angle was not played up well enough until the last fifteen minutes and I think that is what is the most unique about our bid but thankfully the Obama's played it up pretty well.


......Anyone going to watch the other canidates?

[BVictor1]

I don't think it's just about the presentation though. That's why so many delegates from the U.S are there, to lobby the IOC members and to make assurances. You have Ray LaHood, who can make assurances on transportation. You have the president and others telling how easy it will be for foreign athletes to gain access to the country.

We must not be cocky but confident, and I think we did that.

Well just have to wait and see what happens.

[Kngkyle©]

Interesting. I have been following this and the thread on gamesbids.com and the video presentations got high marks from most olympic veterans there. I think Michelle hit a home run. Barack was good too but not as emotional as Michelle. The beginning was kinda boring though.

[lawfin]

FYI MSNBC and FNC are also covering the presentation. I don't know what CNN is doing. Jon and Kate are more important I guess.

Who the hell are jon and kate.....you know someone asked me if I knew jon and kate when I was at walgreens on state the otherday

who the hell are jon and kate

President Obama's answer to Ali's question was fantastic

"We look like the world and I think that over the last couple of the years that fundamental truth has been lost."

Amen brother

[BVictor1]

Yea, the diversity angle was not played up well enough until the last fifteen minutes and I think that is what is the most unique about our bid but thankfully the Obama's played it up pretty well.


......Anyone going to watch the other canidates?

THe diversity angle was portrayed throught the stills and video throughout the presentation.

[Kngkyle©]

Yea, the diversity angle was not played up well enough until the last fifteen minutes and I think that is what is the most unique about our bid but thankfully the Obama's played it up pretty well.


......Anyone going to watch the other canidates?

I'm going to watch them all. No way I can sleep tonight. :P

[Yankee]

Also, I'm glad they focused on diversity, legacy, emotion and things like that. Everyone knows that technically America can deliver the games 100%, nobody's doubting that. We needed to win hearts :D

[nomarandlee]

THe diversity angle was portrayed throught the stills and video throughout the presentation.

Somewhat, could have been done even more though IMO. Also it was important to talk about the ready made international cheering sections that only Chicago can provide compared to the other cities.

[ardecila]

Wow - great job, Chicago 2016 was firing on all cylinders tonight. I honestly thought Michelle gave a better speech than Barack - although BHO's speech centered on the tremendous diversity of the city, which no other candidate city can offer, and is perhaps our greatest selling point. Michelle's speech, on the other hand, was personal and far more "real" than the personal testimonies in the hyper-slick videos.

I'm really digging the home stay program for athletes and Olympic personnel. (As mentioned above) the "international cheering sections" are cool, too. I hope they can actually make that happen, though, because it seems a bit far-fetched and logistically difficult - are they offering paid trips to Chicago for handfuls of people from foreign countries? - or are they drawing from the ethnicities already in Chicago?

[wrabbit]

I don't think that I can watch the other presentations - they'll just make me nervous. Besides, I want to be awake for the announcement at Daley Plaza.

Just a few more hours to go.....

[soonermeteor]

What time are they going to make the announcement?

[J_M_Tungsten]

Agreed wrabbit. I need at least a little sleep before the rally!