Too be quite honest I feel like the US has been lucky to host a few of the olympics here in the recent past. I'd sort of like to see it go to a place that has not hosted it yet or in a long, long time.

I'm not surprised really. Yogaforlife, I like that idea too (going to someone that has not hosted either ever or in a long time).

I agree. It's always nice to see a different city in another part of the world hosting the Olympics.

The look on Michelle Obama's face is priceless.

HA! I love it! I don't have to deal with that mess in '16!!!

unbelivable...

I'm relieved it wasn't Chicago...good for Rio!

Go RIO!!!!

Parents and Chicago will have to get a grip on its crime rate and children first. Then they can talk about hosting The Games.

Good for Rio!

Aw too bad, now the obamas and oprah can get back to saving the world.

Good for Rio.

This will be the first TIME ever that the Olympic Games winter or summer will be hosted by a South American country.
I am so very happy for Rio de Janeiro. Way to go.

I really wish they hadn't done this it was clearly set-up to embarrassed the U.S at least in my opinion. Either way good for Rio.

woohoo Congratulations Rio!!

For me personally, if I were an athelte competing in the Olympics I would much rather go to Rio over Chicago. Although it would be have great to have the Olympics in the U.S., Chicago has a lot of issues it needs to deal with and put $$$ towards before even thinking about hosting an international event. The U.S. has already had the honor of hosting the Olympics, we can sit this one out.

I think its great! Diversity!!

I know the crime rate in Chicago is bad, but it's waaaaay worse in Rio (did I hear 5,000 murders last year?). Bottom line: I'm thrilled for Rio, but I hope they can make it safe for the visitors they'll have in about six years.

Exactly, ashkell. The US as a whole needs to figure out how to pay off our debt first before considering shelling out money for something this grand. We've gotten as much in debt as we have because of irresponsible spending, and right now our government needs to focus on much more important things and allocate our money wisely.

@anonymousn 7:00am- never mind all the REVENUE hosting an international event would bring. that's COMPLETELY irrelevent. maybe we'd still be operating with a surplus and wouldn't have to worry about pinching pennies if some idiotic shrub and his cronies didn't get us into 2 never ending wars.

Anonymous @ 3:42pm. Even if they charge $10k per ticket, they will not be able to raise enough REVENUE to cover the cost of the Olympics. Building the buildings (stadiums, Olympic village, etc), paying for security (very necessary in Chicago), improving the transportation venues, etc. The cost is in the double-digit billions of dollars. Check out the search engine on how host cities are having to shoulder these costs (and tax their residents for 30+ years to raise the money).

Sorry, Anonymous at 3:42pm. I'm not a Bush fan, but honestly Bush alone is not responsible for causing the U.S. to grow over $11 trillion in debt; that didn't happen overnight. How long were business CEOs allowed to spend carelessly before getting caught? How long were a huge number of American credit card consumers easily approved for high credit limits they weren't able to pay back? There are a number of factors contributing to the cause of our debt, but the main problem right now is solving it, and being responsible for hosting the Olympics won't help. I can see why people are disappointed this won't happen here, but at least it will still be happening.

I'm in agreement that Rio should have been the winner. We've definitely had it a few times including the Winter games in recent history. Let some one else have the fun.

I think the prez should worry about more important things then where to haev the olympics. i mean seriously wake the F up and do you job! he is doing everything other then his job! i voted for mccain, wish hed won!

@CHOOCHOO: since Rio is hosting the final match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and last year hosted the Pan, the city has a lot of infraestrucure going on. Many buildings will be reused... Maybe you should read Rio's plan before critiing it. It's really good to be an informed person.

Thanks, anon. I'm quite informed. I also know what I'm talking about. Who here was talking about Rio's ability to take on the games? I believe we were all discussing how wrong it would be for Chicago (or the U.S. in general) to get even further into debt for the thrill of hosting the Olympic games - - which, by the way, we've done more often than Brazil (which they've done never). I'm thrilled for Brazil, because that means the games won't be in Chicago. Yay.
Did you check into how other host cities fare before, during and after the games? Did you see the cost associated with preparing for the games? Illinois, as it is, has a huge amount of debt. Do the residents of that state, or Chicago specifically, want another $15K+ added to their tax burden? I read that Beijing's prep cost about $40 billion. Is Chicago ready to fork that over? Doubt it.
So, in the end, maybe you should read what I wrote before 'critiing' it. I said nothing about Rio, other than my hooraying them for getting the games. I spoke specifically about the fact that the Olympic planning, building and hosting process doesn't bring a windfall of money, like some people say it does...

Im happy for RIO, but the Prez should never have put the office's reputation on the line by going over there for such a gamble. Michelle and Oprah, thats fine. But there was no way Chicago was going to win, if it was not rio it would have been madrid. Further, the U.S. isnt very popular internationally...Obama has been getting some really bad advice lately. I hope he can get his act together.