Chicago Eliminated from Olympic Picture

Chicago, expected to be a front-runner with Rio to land the 2016 Olympics, has been eliminated from contention in the first round of voting. The city, which had seen anti-Olympic protests in recent days, was left stunned. From ESPN:

Thousands of people gathered in downtown Chicago stood in stunned silence Friday after watching coverage of the announcement. The vote in Copenhagen was carried on huge television screens in the Daley Center, set up to carry what many had hoped would be apporval of Chicago to host the Games.

An audible gasp could be heard from the crowd. Many stood for a few minutes, staring at the screen, and at least one flung his hands into the air in a crude gesture toward the TV screen.

Within seconds, people began filing out of the plaza.

Not even the combined efforts of the Obamas and Oprah Winfrey could save the bid. And if Oprah can't help, who can?