Meet the 2016 Olympic City Contenders

The cities in contention to host the 2016 Olympics span four continents, four different languages and offer many reasons why each believes it would be the best candidate to host the Summer Games. And when the International Olympic Committee conducts its secret vote on Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, in Copenhagen, Denmark, one city will be able to turn all its proposals into reality.

Read on to see what qualities each city boasts, and what famous individuals - from President Obama to Oprah to soccer legend Pelé - are in their courts.

Chicago
Chicago is representing the United States in the bidding war for the 2016 Olympics. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, who consider the Windy City home, are among those lending support to the Chicago 2016 bid. According to the campaign's Web site, Chicago's hope is to bring the Olympics to the United States to build and renew friendships around the world. The city plans to put the majority of the competition in the city's parks and lakefront. Lake Michigan will be transformed into a sports complex, featuring 11 Olympic and 8 Paralympics competitions.

Those supporting the Chicago's bid in Copenhagen in addition to the Obamas include superstars such as Oprah Winfrey, sports stars including the NFL's Morten Anderson, and former Olympic athletes Michael Johnson, Brandi Chasten and Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

During his speech to the IOC on Friday, Oct. 2, prior to the vote, President Obama described Chicago as a place of diversity and warmth.

"Chicago is a place where we strive to celebrate what makes us different just as we celebrate what we have in common," he said. "It's a place where our unity is on colorful display ... It's a city that works from its first World's Fair more than a century ago to the World Cup we hosted in the nineties, we know how to put on big events."

Photos: Chicago's Olympic Plans
Chicago 2016 Web site

Tokyo
Tokyo is another contender in the bidding war to host the 2016 Olympic Summer Games. The Japanese capital hopes that its Olympic legacy (it hosted the Summer Games in 1964), combined with its economic prowess and green initiatives, will make it the strongest candidate. Tokyo has the largest metropolitan budget in the world - if it were a country, Tokyo would have the 15th-highest GDP in the world. The city also says 23 of its proposed 34 venues already exist and that land has been secured for the 11 new facilities, including a proposed futuristic, 100,000-seat stadium on a pier in Tokyo Bay at the center of the games. The Olympic village would feature an array of eco-friendly systems such as solar and renewable energy, and it would aim for total waste recycling.

Those supporting the Tokyo bid in Copenhagen include former Olympians like 1976 volleyball gold medalist Yuko Arakida, new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Crown Prince Naruhito.

During its speech to the IOC, Tokyo presented itself as the best city for the athletes, safe and environmentally pioneering.

"Tokyo will show the world how a major metropolis can flourish without detriment to the environment," Prime Minister Hatoyama said.

Photos: Tokyo's Olympic Plans
Tokyo 2016 Web site

Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janiero, the social and cultural center of Brazil, is representing the country in the bidding war to host the 2016 Olympics. Brazil boasts the 10th largest economy in the world, and says that more than half the venues the country would use for the Olympics are already built. The locations include the João Havelange Stadium, the Maria Lenk Aquatic Center, the Rio Olympic Arena, the Rio Olympic Velodrome, the National Equestrian Center and the National Shooting Center.

If Rio wins its bid, it will be the first time the Olympics will be held in South America. Those supporting Rio's bid in Copenhagen include Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and soccer legend Pelé.

Rio played up the wow factor of its fabulous scenery, but its biggest selling point was that the IOC could ignore South America no longer.

"When you push the button today, you have the chance to inspire a new continent, make Olympic history," said Rio bid president Carlos Nuzman, who is also an IOC member. "Vote Rio, and we offer a gateway to 180 million passionate young people in South America."

Photos: Rio de Janeiro's Olympic Plans
Rio de Janeiro 2016 Web site

Madrid
Madrid is representing Spain in the bidding war for the 2016 Olympics. Madrid has the support of 93 percent of the Spanish population, including the royal family and government. The hope is to bring the Olympics back to Spain after the successful 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

According to the city's bid Web site, Madrid boasts a safe city and perfect weather for the 2016 summer Olympics. More than half of the venues in Madrid are complete and 90 percent of its income bid is already or almost guaranteed. Madrid considers itself a "sports-mad" city and has hosted more than 200 international sporting events over the past 10 years.

Those supporting Madrid's bid in Copenhagen include Spain's King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia and Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

Zapatero, in his speech to the IOC, pointed to Spain's recent victories at the soccer and basketball European Championships, the Tour de France and their Davis Cup tennis win as evidence of the country's enthusiasm and commitment to athletics.

"Spain is going through a golden era in sport," he said. "We are also a country that is true to the Olympic spirit and values."
Photos: Madrid's Olympic Plans
Madrid 2016 Web site