How will you spend your Thanksgiving break?
In just a few days, it went from a little-talked-about story to a sure thing. Vegas had penciled in Chicago as its favorite. President Obama was in Denmark making his push for the Windy City. Even Oprah was there to make her hometown the site of the 2016 Olympics.
Then, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge announced Chicago had been eliminated from consideration in the first round of voting. The city's hopes were dashed in an instant.
"We obviously would have been eager to host these games," Obama said in a press conference shortly after the announcement. "This nation and our athletes are still very excited to compete."
Obama also explained that he believed Chicago put together the strongest bid possible. This was a bid that would have spent billions of dollars renovating Chicago's sports venues, cleaning up the city's parks, and encouraging children to participate in athletics.
In February 2008, a foundation was created to support Chicago neighborhoods in hopes to strengthen its bid. Particular attention was paid to programs that would create a lasting effect on the city, even past the potential games.
This may have been done to strengthen Chicago's case to the IOC, but the 2016 Olympic Fund's work "is designed to benefit Chicago neighborhoods whether or not the Olympics come to Chicago," according to a news release.
"We must go forward in improving our parks. We must go forward in getting our young people involved in athletics," Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., said in an ESPN column by Gene Wojciechowski. "Let's build on this dream of getting Chicago the Olympics. And let's have our own Chicago Olympics."
The self-proclaimed "living legacy" of the Chicago 2016 campaign is World Sport Chicago, an organization that will remain dedicated to keeping the city active in athletics. Part of its mission is to "promote the Olympic ideals of education, athlete health, fitness and well-being" among Chicago youth.
Programs implemented go as far as finding volunteers to coach youth sports teams, allowing physically impaired individuals the opportunity to participate in athletics and letting boys and girls ages 8 to 14 play badminton.
The organization also provides information on the importance of exercise, proper nutrition and maintaining Olympic values, according to its website.
Many have been encouraged by the steps World Sport Chicago has taken and are confident that such beneficial programs will continue for the foreseeable future.
Alderman Cochran, who is responsible for World Sport Chicago's track and field program, not only wants it to continue, but hopes participants can eventually become Olympic athletes.
"It gives [children] the mindset to know they can overcome whatever challenges they encounter," Cochran told World Sport Chicago about his track and field program. "Hopefully one day we will be able to look back and see some champions come out of this. Chicago will be able to look back and be proud."
Rio de Janeiro might have beaten it for the 2016 games, but when it comes to improving the lives of its residents, the Second City has won resoundingly.
