Chicago eliminated first among 2016 Olympic bidders

Chicago was voted out of the race to host the 2016 summer Olympic Games in the first round on Friday in Copenhagen. United States President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama had travelled to Denmark in support of the American city's bid, but their presence wasn't enough to help the nation's third largest city win the bid.

"Like so many young people, I was inspired by the Olympics," the first lady had said prior to beginning of voting according to the Associated Press. "I found myself dreaming that maybe, just maybe, if I worked hard enough, I, too, could achieve something great. But I never dreamed the Olympic flame might light up lives in my neighborhood."

For 2016, that dream won't come true. International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge announced the decision to eliminate Chicago after initial round of voting even though many had considered Chicago one of the favorites to win the bid.

Cycling, including road, track, mountain bike and BMX, are contested as part of the summer Olympic Games.

If Chicago had won, two Wisconsin cities, Madison and Mt. Horeb, would likely have hosted the road cycling and mountain biking venues.  The original bid, since revised, had proposed the city of Chicago, in the state of Illinois, as the host of the Olympic road race.

Chicago was the first candidate city to make its final presentation. According to the AP, some of its speakers appeared "nervous" and parts of the presentation were "stilted". The presentation included videos and snapshots of famous people and the city's waterfront as well as letters from schoolchildren supporting the bid.

Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo advanced to the next voting rounds, but Tokyo was voted out in round two.

The next summer Olympic Games, in 2012, will be hosted by London, England.

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