That is a bummer. My brother-in-law has been out of work since January and had a prospective job if they got it. He is a civil engineer and they would have had more work than they know what to do with.

My family was from Chicago and I hear that although the politicians wanted it, the citizens did not.

Has anyone here ever been to the Olympic's?

Yes, the Summer Olympics were here in Atlanta in 1996. For me it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Plus....there was the bombing in Centennial Olympic Park. Especially now, with all the terrorist threats looming, I don't think I'd want it to be in my town or even state. Just my opinion.

I hadn't heard that, Earl.

Back in 2002 I lived only 2.5 hours from the Winter Olympics here in Utah, but never went. I should have, but just didn't want to deal with the crowds. Also, the tickets to events were pretty pricey IF you could snag one.

Still, wish I would have at least driven up there to experience all the hoopla.

This did not surprise me one iota; I thought the notion was ridiculous on its face. There isn't even enough room for the residents, let alone thousands upon thousands of foreign and domestic tourists. I think Obama just wanted to take another trip.

Nope, never have been to one, I don't think I would go anyway, the TV coverage is a way better view.

Amen! The crowds were awful and people can be so rude.....especially when they've paid alot of $$ to be somewhere and feel like they should be given top priority. They don't seem to realize that some of us live here.

Television coverage is wonderful......you get a front row seat, no obnoxious people around you (well, depends on your family, I guess!) and no crowds! I'll never go to another one.

Just heard on the news that they picked Rio.

yes! I have been to the olympics both here and abroad. Its a CROWDED! messy afair.

one of the reasons America was in such bad standing is that the crowds that want to come to America to watch the games, have a hard time with passports, visa's and other qualifications to get across the border.

I know it would have brought some revitilization, but I am kinda glad its elsewhere. it puts a terrible strain on many places to prepare for the event, and while end it does wash out, and many folks make a great deal of money, and benefit from the updates to prepare, it can be a daunting experience at best.

Well, I have to say I am one of those not disappointed by our loss. Yes, many jobs would have been created but Chicago was not ready. We are in trouble over here just like everyone else.

What I really want to know is why so many are up in arms over Rio and how much crime they have? There is at least one child each week being shot, beat up and/or killed around Chicago. I wont even go to Chicago after dark, certain places. I grew up in Chicago, then later Cicero, you learn the places to avoid.

It is a beautiful city, I agree and yes maybe it would have brought more revenue but at who's cost? Just because our president is from here doesn't mean we should have won. I think many people counted their eggs too soon.

It's over, we lost, end of story. lol

It may have brought jobs and lots of money to the area for the years leading up to it so it is always a shame not to host an Olympic event. I was listening to the news and one of the on site broadcasters said the presentation lacked any vigor to sell to the committee.

Still, it would have been nice. Phoenix hosted the Superbowl and it was a definite job and money maker.

Rio had a good plan. It is true that that area of the world has not been a host, up until now.

I watched the presentation. (FoxNews preempted Red Eye for the presentation...that was annoying)

It was boring, the people they had speaking, and the video presentations they used were not...very convincing. No one speaking (including the Obamas) seemed to really use a lot of enthusiasm in their voice. Everything was bland and boring. (Watching Red Eye would have been much more entertaining)

I'm actually glad that Rio got picked. South America has never had a country host the Olympics. It's about time they got a chance.

Besides, just about every city that's hosted the Olympics in the past 30 years has gone into serious debt and way over their budgets building everything for the games. (I think the only exception was in Utah, but they still had a huge financial scandal for that one tho, if I remember right...)