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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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 2016 OLYMPICS 
22

Obamas: Pick Chicago, 'Most American' City

President, first lady stump for their hometown ahead of Olympic vote

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(Newser) – Barack and Michelle Obama made an impassioned call today to bring the 2016 Olympics to Chicago, which the president called the "most American of American cities." In his pitch to the International Olympic Committee in Copenhagen, the president told of how he became "a proud Chicagoan" after a peripatetic childhood and fell in love with the diversity and ambition of the Second City. The first lady made a deeply personal presentation. She spoke about how her father instilled a love of sports in all of his children despite his battle with multiple sclerosis.

Chicago is seen as neck-and-neck with Rio de Janeiro in today's vote, and the American delegation is pressing the flesh with committee members to secure every advantage. Obama's team is particularly seeking to win commitments from those still supporting the lagging bids of Madrid and Tokyo. The vote takes place over several elimination rounds, and the Americans are trying to assure they'll back Chicago if their first choices are eliminated.

Barack and Michelle Obama at the 121st International Olympic Committee Session in Copenhagen, Denmark, today.
Barack and Michelle Obama at the 121st International Olympic Committee Session in Copenhagen, Denmark, today.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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 today 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 today in Copenhagen.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool)
Barack and Michelle Obama talk during the Chicago 2016 bid presentation at the 121st International Olympic Committee session at the Bella Center in Copenhagen today.
Barack and Michelle Obama talk during the Chicago 2016 bid presentation at the 121st International Olympic Committee session at the Bella Center in Copenhagen today.   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Barack Obama is introduced by his wife Michelle before he makes a presentation in support of Chicago as the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
Barack Obama is introduced by his wife Michelle before he makes a presentation in support of Chicago as the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool)
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Aelius28
Oct 2, 09 5:15 AM CDT
I asked someone recently why the PRESIDENT is going across the world to get a fucking sports game in his home country. One person told me that the Olympics exhibits the greatest athletes in the world. So what? Why doesn't the President get involved when World of Warcraft players first kill Arthas or some other boss guy. It's big news to the 10 million players who play the game. Why doesn't the President take part, in one way or another, for other sports games such as the Superbowl? After all, that's certainly representative of the best football players in the country. I don't know, I just don't get it, I don't understand why sports are so big of a deal that one of the most powerful people in the known Universe takes time off to travel across the planet to get a game going down in his home country. What... what the... fuck? Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Thinker
Oct 2, 09 7:28 AM CDT
I couldn't agree with you more, Aelius28. Sports give many Americans, those who have nothing else, something to talk about and/or a way to belong or fit in. My biggest problem with the whole Olympics in Chicago thing is the fact that I live and work in Chicago and I don't think our highways or mass transit can handle that many people. I imagine it will be a nightmare.
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
KurtRambis4va
Oct 2, 09 10:22 AM CDT
I foresee Obama being compared to conman Lyle Lanley, the guy who sold Springfield the monorail, and then ditched town
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
yoeydude
Oct 2, 09 4:34 PM CDT
sports play on deep traits of competition , aggression and team cohesiveness ,.... much like early tribal conflict ,.... nothing gets the blood up , or makes one feel so alive as the danger of injury or death by an enemies hand ,... or the thrill of inflicting punishment on ones own enemies and being cheered and praised by ones one peers or fellow tribals , sports competitions between countries is like stylized warfare ,.... that is why it plays such an important role to humans , fan is short for fanatic , remember ?
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0
riffran
Oct 2, 09 5:26 AM CDT
most american city......whatever..just stay away from Fenger school district, unless you have riot gear Reply
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+2

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