In one day, we will find out if the city of Chicago will be the host for the 2016 Summer Olympics.  Born and raised in the suburb of Clarendon Hills, I grew up about 30 minutes west of downtown (of course that's without traffic), and the idea of the world's greatest athletes coming to my hometown would be surreal.  For as long as I can remember I have watched the Olympics.  It truly is an amazing spectacle and it would be incredible to have the Olympic games so close to Eau Claire.  In fact, the entire Midwest would be impacted by the games, here in Wisconsin and even in Minnesota.  If the Olympics are in Chicago, Madison will be the cycling hub, hosting three events.   If Chicago gets the nod, the University of Minnesota has signed a preliminary contract to host some of the early-round soccer games at the new TCF Bank Stadium.   How COOL would that be?  The sport of soccer would get a tremendous boost locally especially with the world's greatest players right in our own backyard. 

And while I think that it's pretty neat that President Barack Obama, his wife Michelle, and even Oprah are in Copenhagen (where the Olympic announcement will be made) for Friday's announcement, I think to myself as a die-hard Cubs fan, that I really don't want to get my hopes up too high.  I'm used to and have come to expect to be disappointed, and while not getting the Olympics is certainly not the end of the world, it is one of those once in a lifetime events that may never happen again.  

Chicago has some pretty stiff competition in Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, and Tokyo.  I suspect that Rio is Chicago's main rival since South America has never hosted the Olympics.   Yes, Los Angeles and Atlanta have hosted the Summer Olympics, but I truly believe that Chicago has a lot to offer.  Great city, great people, fantastic restaurants, and perhaps the best part of it, a potpourri of  cultures.

So, as I sign-off, please share with me your thoughts.  Tomorrow at this time we'll know if the second city will be World's #1 city in 2016.