and the winner is...

 

RIO DE JANEIRO

I may be a Chicagoan, but I'm thrilled about Rio 2016! We watched the bid videos at work today (aired on ABC) and I have to say, theirs was definitely the most powerful/passionate. Perfect mix of the city, the culture and sports. Still trying to find it online and will post it when I do...

If used properly, this could be an amazing chance for Rio to improve its infrastructure, restructure (instead of just pushing out) its slums, improve its terrible crime rates and from there...who knows what could happen.

CONGRATS South America!!

One of the main complaints about the Chicago bid was that our performance was "flat" -  without a sense of passion and direct vision for our Olympic plan. I'd have to say I agree. Our bid, compared to the others, just seemed SO corporate and sort of took the fun out of the games. It was all about producing a sustainable, economically- viable and efficient games, which IS important but should be one of many focal points when we're talking about an international celebration that should be exciting, vibrant and a real shared experience.

These aren't THE videos that they played in Copenhagen, but they are promos for the bid:

RIO

MADRID

(This video is very focused on the actual plan - which the short promo videos played in Copenhagen weren't AT ALL. But alas, I can't find them...)

TOKYO

CHICAGO