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Chicago – the leading competitor is contesting with Tokyo, Madrid, Spain and Rio de Janeiro to launch international promotion efforts to win the bid for the Summer Games of 2016. It has been reported that the International Olympic voters will decide the contest after 19 months from now.
It is the key stage when the four cities have got their chance to take their case to international officials since being chosen as bid finalists in June 2008. The secret ballot will open on October 02, 2009, at the IOC general assembly in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Chicago is among the leading campaigners for the Summer Games. The mayor Richard Daley, bid leader Patrick Ryan and US IOC member Ctyrtlik are among those who leads the campaign to bring the Summer Olympics back to the United States for another time since Atlanta in 1996. "It's like a trade show," said U.S. IOC member Bob Ctvrtlik, the U.S. Olympic Committee's vice-president for international relations. "You can't help but run into members. Everywhere you turn there's a potential voter. All 115 are just waiting and anxious to talk to you."
Chicago officials have witnessed the impressive opening ceremony and attended various sports events. They also closely observed the logistical workings of China’s mammoth Olympic project. In an interview with press, Ryan cleared out that they didn’t try to match the grandeur of China. “Nobody should try to top this. This shouldn’t be an arm race”. He said.
Interestingly, U.S. presidential election has become a special topic among IOC members. George W. Bush’s unpopularity around the world is reflected in the IOC and as a result New York failed in 2012 showing. It has been reported that change in government may help Chicago’s chances. Barrack Obama is believed to be the Chicago’s trump card. “Barack Obama hails from Chicago and lives four blocks from the site of the opening and closing ceremony," Daley said.
