IOC: Chicago a Finalist for 2016 Games
6/04/2008

Chicago was one of four cities selected as a bid finalist for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games according to the IOC. Chicago, which hopes to become the first Olympic site for the Summer Games since 1996, now has 16-months to get things in order for a final visit in October of 2009.

The three other finalists include Tokyo, Madrid (Spain) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

Failing to make the International Olympic Committee shortlist were three cities—Doha (Qatar), Prague (Czech Republic) and Baku (Azerbaijan).

According to the IOC, Chicago now must work to improve its finances and transportation, among other things.
Tokyo scored highest in the technical evaluation, which rated cities in 11 categories—including infrastructure, venues, transportation, security and finances—on a scale of 1 to 10.

The Japanese capital scored an overall average of 8.4, followed by Madrid with 8.2. Chicago was back at 7.0 with Doha, with Rio at 6.5. Chicago didn’t rank first in any of the categories, and lagged in fifth in three.

Cities must submit their detailed bid files to the IOC by Feb. 12, 2009. After that, a panel of IOC experts will visit each of the cities, tour the proposed sites and meet with bid and government leaders. The panel will release an evaluation report to the IOC members a month before the October 2009 vote.