Obama No 'Superman' for Chicago's Olympic Bid

IOC shows us the world still likes to thumb its nose at American power

(NEWSER) - The first-round knockout of Chicago’s Olympic bid speaks to an unpleasant fact, writes Mike Lopresti: “A lot of people out there don't like us. They don't care if President Obama is eloquent and the first lady is charming.” If it had come down to just Chicago and Rio, with South America never having hosted the games before, that would’ve been one thing. But “to be the first city eliminated speaks to something deeper. This was a repudiation.” More»

(NEWSER) - So much for the clout of the Obamas and Oprah. Chicago lost its bid to host the 2016 Olympics after being eliminated in today's first round of voting in Copenhagen. Despite personal appeals by the president and first lady, the city got the fewest votes in the International Olympic Committee tally. Tokyo also missed the early cut, leaving Madrid and Rio de Janeiro battling for the honor. Rio eventually won, reports the Chicago Tribune. More»

Rio, Madrid, or Tokyo could leave Obamas empty-handed this week

(NEWSER) - Barack and Michelle Obama arrive in Denmark tomorrow, hoping to win the 2016 Olympics for their hometown. The Windy City has an impressive bid, proposing events in the city's parks and a lakefront Olympic Village. But three other cities are lobbying hard, and any could get the Games come Friday.

• Madrid: Spain has valuable experience from the Barcelona Games, and events would take place in Real Madrid's famous soccer stadium. But after London 2012, another European city is a tough sell. And Madrid's 100-degree summers don't help.

Pound suggests Chicago mayor try twisting Obama's arm ahead of IOC vote

(NEWSER) - President Obama's absence will definitely be noticed as the International Olympic Committee meets to pick the host city for the 2016 Olympics, IOC member Dick Pound tells AP. "I don't think there's an IOC member on the planet who wouldn't love to meet your president. He's a transformational figure in the world today," said Pound, a Canadian. Obama, a vocal backer of Chicago's bid, has said he is too busy with health care legislation to attend the Copenhagen meeting, but that Michelle Obama will be there. More»

President-elect appears via video before selection committee, his first such push

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama made a surprise appearance today in a video address to the International Olympic Committee, pushing Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Summer Games, the Tribune reports. The video, shepherded to Istanbul by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, showed Obama talking about his belief “in the Olympic movement,” and how he has “long supported hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in my home city.” More»