Just hours away from the decision…

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Photo Updates from Copenhagen and Bid Cities

Chicago 2016 Delegation

Bryan Clay from the U.S., the reigning Olympic champion for the decathlon speaks during a news conference held by the Chicago 2016 Olympic bid team

Former U.S. Olympic gymnast Bart Conner, flanked by his wife former Olympic gymnast Nadia Comaneci, third left, speaks during a news conference held by the Chicago 2016 Olympic bid team in Copenhagen

Former NBA basketball player Dikembe Mutombo speaks during a news conference held by the Chicago 2016 Olympic bid team in Copenhagen

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama is accompanied by senior White House advise Valerie Jarrett as they meet with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge at a hotel

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama meets with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge at a hotel in Copenhagen

Rio 2016 supporters cycle from the Bella Center to Copenhagen city center

Madrid 2016 logo on the 'Torre Picasso' building in Madrid

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva clasps hands with Rio de Janeiro 2016 bid team members after a press conference in Copenhagen

Former Olympic triple jumper Willie Banks clenches a fist after he and his bid team finished a bycicle ride in downtown Copenhagen

Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, left, and his wife, Miyuki, wave at well-wishers as they leave Haneda International Airport in Tokyo

Photos Courtesy of AP/USA Today and the Chicago Tribune

Where to watch the announcement around Chicago

Where to watch

Daley Plaza Preparations

The host city for the 2016 Olympics will be announced just before noon Chicago time Friday. Among the “watching events” in the Chicago area:

Daley Plaza downtown: The official Chicago 2016 party to watch the decision live will begin at 9 a.m. The plaza is at Washington and LaSalle streets.

Rufino Tamayo Charter School on Southwest Side: This school run by UNO (United Neighborhood Organization) at 5135 S. California Ave., will hold a viewing party starting at 10:30 a.m. The event will include a message by UNO Charter School Network President Juan Rangel broadcast from Copenhagen. Rangel served on the Chicago 2016 Outreach Committee.

Washington Park on South Side: A group of aldermen is sponsoring a “Olympic Watch” in Washington Park, proposed site of the temporary Olympic Stadium. The UniverSoul Circus will conduct its normal morning show from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the big top, and as the decision nears, the circus acts will pause and spectators will watch JumboTrons.

Downtown Naperville: A Naperville Backs the Bid street festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. along Chicago Avenue between Main and Washington streets. The fest will include music and dancing.

Concordia University Chicago in River Forest: A viewing party will start at 10:30 a.m. in the north Geiseman Gymnasium, 7400 Augusta St.

Silver Cross Field in Joliet: The Joliet JackHammers will open the gates to the stadium at 11 a.m. for the announcement live on the JumboTron. Admission is free. Hot dogs, chips, sodas and cookies will be available for sale.

TV Coverage

Chicago’s final presentation to IOC: You’ll have to stay up late or get up early to watch this live. It’s set to start around 1:30 a.m., with coverage by Channels 2, 5, 7, 9 and 32.

Selection of host city: All the local channels will carry the announcement just before noon, but they’ll start their coverage at various times before the decision, beginning with Channel 32, which will have continuous coverage from 5 a.m. till the announcement and beyond. Channels 2 and 5 and CLTV will start at 9 a.m., with Channels 7 and 9 starting at 10 a.m.

(Chicagotribune.com will live-stream the presentations and announcement.)

- Article Link

Olympics-Is something robotic in the state of Denmark?

By Kevin Fylan

COPENHAGEN, Oct 1 (Reuters) – The quest for the 2016 Olympics has felt like a rapidly escalating celebrity arms race and come Friday’s vote it could all culminate in a robot trying to upstage a president as real and sporting royalty look on.

A prime minister or president has become a must-have accessory for any serious bid after the instrumental role Tony Blair played in bringing the 2012 Olympics to London but the four candidate cities will not rely on statesmanship alone.

While they wait for the president, Chicago have been basking in the support of First Lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey, frequently cited as the most powerful woman in entertainment.

Madrid have actual royalty on their side in the towering figure of King Juan Carlos, while Rio de Janeiro can boast the sporting variety in the form of ‘O Rei’ himself, the footballing great Pele.

Tokyo have seemed a little light on star quality but that could all change at their presentation on Friday after bid officials said that POSY, the humanoid robot, could potentially be part of their plans.

So far that is little more than a rumour, but Tokyo, Rio and Madrid could certainly do with something spectacular if they are to ward off the Obama effect Chicago are hoping for.

Chicago hijacked the news agenda with Monday’s announcement that President Barack Obama would make a flying visit to address the International Olympic Committee.

- Read Full Article

Less than 48 Hours Until Decision

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Photos from Copenhagen

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Tokyo 2016

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Chicago 2016 Delegation at the airport

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Rio 2016

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Just 3 days to go…

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Less than 4 days to go!

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Inside the Games Poll – Vote for Chicago!

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As we near the finish, show your support!!

It is a close race between Chicago and Rio!!!!

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- Inside the Games Poll -

(poll is on the right side)

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6 days and counting…