Rio De Janeiro has been dubbed host city for the 2016 Olympic Games after Chicago lost its bid in the first round of voting.

Updated 10/02/09 1:15 p.m.
 
Rio De Janeiro has dubbed host city for the 2016 Olympic games.
 
This was the third time that the city had made a bid for the Olympics, CNN reports.
 
In anticipation of the announcement, Rio declared a national holiday, and citizens there have much to celebrate now. Today's vote by the International Olympic Committee marks the first time that a South American city has been given the honor of hosting the games. At news that they had won their Olympic bid, the Brazilian delegation broke into cheers and tears of joy.

But there was a much different scene in Chicago, where an expectant audience learned the shocking news that their city had been cut first. And it seemed that not even the Obamas and Oprah Winfrey could help the Windy City's case.
 
Both Michelle Obama and Oprah had gone to Copenhagan, Denmark, earlier this week to pitch Chicago as the obvious choice for 2016. By most accounts, Michelle absolutely stole the show with an emotional speech before the IOC as part of the United State’s final push to be dubbed the Olympic host city.
 
"Sports were a gift I shared with my dad, especially the Olympic Games. Some of my best memories are sitting on my dad's lap,” she said. "I never dreamed that the Olympic flame might one day light up lives in my neighborhood. But today, I can dream, and I am dreaming of an Olympic and Paralympic Games in Chicago that will light up lives in neighborhoods all across America and all across the world."
 
Sadly, such a stirring speech, followed up by an appearance from President Barack Obama, who said the first lady was a tough act to follow. To win the honor of being an Olympic host city, a given locale had to win a majority of votes from the 106-member IOC.
 

-- Sonya Eskridge

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