I think it's cool and great that this will be the first South American Olympics. How exciting for Brazil!

I'm sorta bummed that they won't be in Chicago. If they would've been, I could have actually gone to the games because I live sort of near there. Well, as close as I'd ever get to an Olympic venue...Chicago's the only big city near enough for me to get to easily. It's still cool that they'll be in Rio. Brazil's a really neat country, so I'm glad they got the bid.

I'm sorry, I know that Chicago is a fun city with lots of personality, but it was up again Rio de Janeiro.... and people are surprised it didn't win?

I do feel badly for people who invested a lot of time (and tax dollars) into the endeavor though.

Wooo hooo! The NUDE OLYMPICS have returned.
Rio should be so incredibly exciting. Wonder what events will take place in the slums of Rio? Hopefully something and hopefully the government of Rio will actually help the people have live in the slums rather than hiding them or pushing them into the sea or where ever.

I live in Chicago and am SO happy we didn't get it. Chicago is an amazing city but we could not have handled the Olympic games. Funding was VERY questionable and it would have become a burden on the tax payers. Although it was billed as bringing development to the impoverished Washington Park area, it would have actually ended up displacing many of those people. Mayor Daley needs to get off his ego trip, come home, and work on a practical solution to fixing our city's problems.

jkat: You are completely right and the displacement issue is something many people outside of Chicago don't seem to know about. I'm relishing in the idea that Daley's ego is hurt. If he doesn't begin to fix the problems within the city, I really hope he gets voted out in 2011. Plus with all the contracting scandals for which Chicago is famous, the Games would have cost much, much more.

There are so many issues with funding in Chicago right now, the Olympics would have just put more strain on the city's citizens.

I just want to add that there are already people out there happy about Chicago losing the bid because it means that somehow Obama failed in something. Ridiculous.

Just on a personal note.. I'm glad it's in Rio. It means Brazilian Jiu-jitsu has a very good chance of becoming an Olympic sport and it also means I have a very good chance of attending and traveling to Brazil for the first time. So... yay!

I think it's about time that the Olympics are held in South America. I'm really happy for the people of Brazil.

Also, I don't think it was Obama's failure, that's an unfair statement. But a lot of people are commenting that it was a bit "arrogant" of him to show up for a few hours and expect to "charm" the mostly "European" IOC in giving it to Chicago. I read an article where they said it backfired. However, the IOC was delighted w/ Michelle Obama.

Dear friends,
here in Brazil we are happy, excited and anxious for the 2016 Olympic Games!! I understand the deception of some of you, but I have to explain that this decision will have economic and social impacts here that your city probably doesn't need so much. Please, you should try to be more aware of the reality of others coutries (and this comment is directed to wackdoodle) and understand that here we work and study very hard and that the lack of clothes is seen in the hot weekends and in February, in Carnival... don´t think thats the way we live everyday and everywhere! It's time other countries (especially US) undestand we got into the 10th world more powerfull nations and that we deserve the same respect we receive you all here in your expensive vacations...
Thank you for all yours sincerely thoughts and we are waiting for you here in 2016!!

Gabriella - you may be able to write in english but you do not understand the subtlety of it.

I am very happy that Rio will host the Olympics. Compared to the US the people of Brazil are proud of their bodies and not prudes about celebrating their bodies. Having the Olympics there and having Americans go there will hopefully help many Americans understand that they need not be embarrassed about their bodies and that they should just celebrate and enjoy them like the people of Brazil. This will shine the light of the world on a beautiful country on a beautiful continent.

Rio like every country has serious social issues especially when it comes to the treatment of its extremely poor. Hosting the Olympics is the perfect chance for Rio to show the advancement that they have made in helping their poor and to show off the beauty and hospitality of their people.

Again, I know you "know" english but understanding American english and American humor are different. I understand that - perhaps you should to Gabriella and not think that people are stereotyping or slamming your beautiful country.

Wackdoodle,
I'm happy to read your words... Perhaps I couldn't understood your humor, but it happened because we are tired to listen foreign people joking about Brazil, nudity, monkeys and florests... I realize now you are an exception and trully understand the hard reality of us. I was concerned about other people reading this kind of stereotype and passing it on again.
Finally, I apologize for my english but I will improve it next year, when I will finally have the chance to pratice it there in US fot the first time abroad!
I hope this misunderstood arises the will for all of us to know better other cultures!
Again, we are waiting for you people here... the sooner the better!

Personally, I'm happy for Rio, and the country of Brazil. From what I read and heard, Rio is a great area. It would be a terrific place for the Olympic athletes and the games.

I can't wait to tune in, and see what Rio has to offer. I'm sure it would be grand.

As far as Chicago, there will be other opportunities to bid. That's part of the competitive spirit -- don't give up, come back bigger and stronger (after working on the city's issues), and compete with other international cities to host the next Olympic Games. For Chicago, this should NOT be over.

I'm happy Rio got it and Chicago didnt.

The sense of self-entitlement I got from Chicago was just absurd. Maybe I was just reading/watching the wrong things who knows. But it was like they thought it was *owed* to them or something? Like; "uh, why is anyone else even an option? This one should be easy" kind of attitude. Uh huh, surrrreeee.....
I dont normally know Chicago to be like this though so who knows.