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Oprah, Obama and Michelle's Chicago Olympic push ends in disappointment

By April MacIntyre Oct 2, 2009, 15:29 GMT

Despite the best efforts of TV chat show host Oprah Winfrey, President Obama and his First Lady Michelle, the world has voted against having the next 2016 Olympics in Chicago.

US TV personality Oprah Winfrey and Chicagos Mayor Richard Daley arrives at Amalienborg Castle Thursday 1st October 2009 for the Olympic support VIP. 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 (Foto: Soren Bidstrup/Scanpix 2009). EPA/Soren Bidstrup Chicago was eliminated in the first round. Tokyo was also eliminated. The remaining two citiies are Rio de Janeiro and Madrid.CNN is broadcasting live from Chi-Town, and the crowd fell silent in disappointment as CNN's anchor Tony Harris interviewed various guests equally dumbfounded over the decision.Obama made his case for the Chicago consideration in Copenhagen: "I come here today as a passionate supporter of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as a strong believer in the movement they represent and as a proud Chicagoan, then I came to Chicago. And on those Chicago streets, I worked alongside men and women who were black and white, Latino and Asian, people of every class and nationality and religion."I came to discover that Chicago is that most American of American cities but one where citizens from more than 130 nations inhabit a rich tapestry of distinctive neighborhoods."Harris noted it was "stunning news" and said that Chicago was one of the most multi-ethnic, multi-racial American cities.