Chicago is far and away the best place to have it. Easy city to navigate with plenty of room for everythng. A friendly city with great security, great American culture and weather in the summer is very predictable and nice. Chicago is definitely the best choice here, especially out of the final cities under consideration.

I would want it in Chicago because it is close enough to my family that we could afford to go to some of the events! And it;s a plus because I would rather go to a summer olympics then a winter due to Track and Field. I was a college T&F athlete and what an awesome experience it would be!

I'm betting Chicago will get it.  Specifically - I've heard good things regarding the cycling routes up in WI.  A good race series used the potential Olympic course this summer, and domestic pro cyclists got to weigh in on the caliber of the terrain.

Economically speaking, Olympics in the US are usually profitable for the Olympics and the cities that host them.  This can't always be said in other countries.  Tokyo would be my next bet for this reason - much more likely to drive a profit than Madrid or Rio.

Politically, look at the what U.S. President Obama said at the UN.  His words were very much reflective of bringing the world together, and erasing some of America's past failures in international relations.  What better way to do so than to invite the countries of the world to the U.S. under the Olympic games?

Give it to Rio!! Give it to a continent that has never had an Olympics before. I'm an American, and quite frankly I'm sick of seeing the United States hosting the Olympics. It's a heck of a lot more interesting when another country hosts the Olympics!!

I'm a Chicagoan, and I'm hoping we get the Olympics; if we did, I'd have to spend a butt load on tickets to go to the events, but at least I wouldn't have to worry about travel costs, etc. If not Chicago, I'd like to see Madrid get it... Rio is a cesspool. My boyfriend's company does business in Rio. One of their upper brass went to Rio for a businessbuisness trip, got shot coming off the plane. Yeah, let's send the the world's premier athletes/wealthiest people there. Violent crime is gonna sky rocket.

(This isn't to say I don't sympathize with people in Rio. If I had to live not knowing when or where my next meal was coming from, I'd probably rob whoever I could, too. However, I doubt the Rio police/any security force put forth by the Brazilian government could control any kind of violence/crime spree. That many rich people in one spot, with a population that's sick of being poor and held down? That's too much to resist.)

Katie, you're simply lying. There is no way your friend was "shot coming out of a plane" in Rio. Rio is NOT dangerous. Old stereotype. It's MUCH safer than Chicago. Rio was dangerous in the 1970's and 1980's, but now has fairly low crime.

Chicago is the murder capital of the United States. It would be a terrible location for the Olympics, especially since all the venues are in the middle of the South Side ghetto!

And Chicago is the capital of corruption. Mayor Daley is a criminal, and the city is almost bankrupt. The Olympics boondoggle would surely be the final nail in the coffin for Chicago.

The people of Chicago will pay heavily for the Olympics and only the corrupt politicians will get rich. Chicago has one of the most corrupt governments in the nation. Because Obama is from Chicago the american tax payers will have to bail Chicago out when it fails. Last time we had an summer olympics game in the U.S. (Atlanta) there was the bombing incident.

Another benefit to Rio hosting the games is that it is only a couple hours ahead of US East Coast time, so it is good for television. Tokyo will not host the games because of physical and television logistics nightmares. Television revenues are huge, and they are largest in the good old USA.

Katie, I've been to Rio twice in the past 3 years. One of those times was at New Years. It is a very safe and fun city. Your information is either very dated or very flawed.

I would be happy if Chicago gets the Olympics - I live close by. But I will not let US citizens bad mouth another city in this world for no good reason. Rio would be an excellent host, and it has the distinct advantage of being the first South American city to put a viable bid on the table. The IOC will look very seriously at allowing Rio to host the games so they can say, "Look how international the Olympic Games are!".

And Chicago isn't a cesspool!

Like L.A., N.Y. etc. they have not invented enough money for me to live in either place.

Whoever gets the games can benefit economically, and the USA is the nation whose economic health is most important to the rest of the world, so I expect the vote to swing to Chicago.

never had it--good city with great infrastructure-Rio is a cesspool, chicago weather is torrid and Tokyo is a mess logistically

^

I agree with that comment. Our weather is terrible

Dan-1378737 Have u ever been to Chicago??? Corupt?? Look at the other cities HA HA" I Have lived in Chicago most of my life and am returning soon! As i been living elsewhere these past nine year. Chicago is one of the best planed out cities i have ever been to!! Washington DC Is a mess As is LA. San Dieago San Francisco,NY. Miami, and Las Vegas SO ON & ON! I have traveled alot as i am a former marine so i have been to Japan,Hong Kong,Vietnam,Laos,Cambodia, P.Rico Guam Hawaii. American Somalia, Spain and Morocco too., So On & on!! But Chicago and the ppl there are great just as im sure there are Great ppl in all of the other Cities but none compare to Chicago and the ppl that live there!!

chicago for sure!! and "dan" yes it is easy to get around there i have traveled alot and i have never been to a city so well planed out and easy to get around in! also coruption u better take a look at the other cities ha the pot calling the kettle black!

It's the best progressive city. I lived there for many years now in Detroit my birthplace, Chicago has progressed well, they have put the money into their streets, projects are gone, people are in homes, believe it or not if US goes financially so goes the rest of the world. We need the boost for our economy. Our economy improves so does the world.

Rio. It's South America's first real shot at hosting the Olympic games, and it will be hard to deny and America really does not need it now. If America is to host, at the bare minimum pick a better city then Chicago, it is one of the most corrupt Cities in America.

I would like for Madrid to get it. Tokyo is too expensive, besides they drive on the wrong side of the road...LOL. I have been to neither, but Rio and Chicago have a reputation of widespread crime and street violence. Haven't heard squat about Madrid, so that is my pick.

1st: Chicago has the greatest summer weather! I wouldn't trade it for anywhere else in the world.

2nd: Has anyone heard of an American boy named Sean Goldman - who is being held KIDNAPPED by the Brazil. Sean's an American born child who has been held in Brazil for the past 5 years as his father David Goldman has been fighting to get his son back. Visit bringseanhome.com for more info.

Despite its reputation for crime, Brazil is also a violator of international laws governing parental rights. Why would ANY American family want to send their young athletes to Brazil? They may never return!