OBAMA VICTORY IMPROVES CHICAGO 2016 OLYMPICS ODDS

sriganeshl

After Barack Obama's stunning landslide victory against the McCain-Palin axis of idiocy, it looks like Chicago is getting another boost- this time in its bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics. The Olympics are headed to London for the 2012 competition, but the host for 2016 is due to be announced in a relatively short amount of time.

Yes We Can

After Americans from all walks of life took to the streets in cities from coast to coast in spontaneous celebrations, one of the biggest crowds was in Grant Park in Chicago to watch Obama's acceptance speech. A lower profile city despite its massive size and huge suburban population, Chicago is getting some of the best free advertising it could hope for.

Bookmakers Back Barack's Chicago

After Tuesday night's dramatic win, many British bookmakers have slashed Chicago's odds to make it the out and out favourite to secure the games from the IOC- they are listed at 2.2. The last time the Summer games were in America, was Atlanta 1996 which (despite a bombing) turned out to be a relatively successful event. Chicago faces competition from Rio De Janeiro who are listed at 4 with Tokyo slightly behind at 4.5.

Recommendations

Tokyo will not get the Olympics because they will have been held only 8 years previously right next door in China. Doha (29) and Baku (42) are completely out of the question, while Madrid (10) and Prague (30) are also unlikely destination but aren't completely unreasonable. Rio De Janeiro is likely Chicago's stiffest competition, but I'm going to have to back the home of the Cubs and the White Socks to take this one to the bank.