On Friday October 2, the IOC will award the 31st Olympiad in 2016 to one of four candidate cities. The process has been going on for more than two years and culminates with the host city announcement at 12:30pm EDT.

Chicago, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, and Madrid will each have an opportunity to make a final presentation before the vote and answer questions from the IOC. Presentations begin with Chicago at 2:30am EDT, followed by Tokyo at 4:25am, Rio de Janeiro at 6:05am, and Madrid at 8:45am.

Here is an article giving a general view of the situation.

The general consensus is that it is between Chicago and Rio de Janeiro, with the Brazilian city having the momentum leading up to the vote. It is highly unlikely that there will be a winner in the first two rounds so it looks to be the fourth straight final ballot decision for the IOC.

I wouldn't mind seeing Chicago get it.

I am rooting for the outsider - Madrid.

But more likely Rio will get it.

I wonder if Madrid will surprise again, like it did in 2005 when it was just two votes shy of tying Paris in the third round, and actually led voting in the second round. With former President J.A. Samaranch showing up and lobbying on it's behalf, I can certainly see a better than anticipated vote count for it.

Ultimately I see Rio beating Chicago in the final round by a handful of votes.

it'll be 20 years since Atlanta rooting for Chicago

I do really hope it's not Madrid. With the state of the economy as it is right now, that would be a waste of money.

I don't mind any of the other cities, although I don't know if Brazil can support two big and costly events (if I'm not mistaken the World Cup in 2014 is in Brazil too) in such a small amount of time.

It would be quite the 9 year span of sporting events for Brazil if they do get it. The Pan Am Games in 07 (which was to prove to the world that they could organize a large sporting gathering), the '14 WC and potentially the '16 Olympics.

Their plan seems solid:

Brief run down of how IOC voting goes. I don't think WGN will be showing the proceedings starting at 2:30 AM EDT so it looks like the internet for me!

And to get myself in the spirit, some videos of previous announcements:

Atlanta 1996:

Nagano 1998:

Sydney 2000:

Athens 2004:

Beijing 2008:

London 2012:

Sochi 2014:

I think I'd prefer Rio now since I've learned that South America has never held the games before.

Didn't Beijing win in the second round?

Ah, you are counting Winter Games too.

Beijing and Salt Lake City won on the second round of voting. Every other decision since the one for the 1992 Barcelona games went to a final round.

Chicago is still the odds on favourite, money was going to Rio before Obama announced he'd make the trip, now it seems Chicago has broken Rio's momentum.

GO RIO, GO!

I think its gonna be Tokyo

In order of preference:

Rio
Tokyo
Chicago
Madrid

Chicago's presentation was good, Michelle and Barack were the highlights.
Tokyo's was efficient, nothing really spectacular but nothing worthy of great criticism.
Rio de Janeiro's played up the passion and the breakthrough opportunities that a games in South American would present, expected but effective.
Madrid's was probably the best, Samaranch went with the whole 'Give the games to Madrid before I die, which could be risky...'

Betting has also firmed up with Chicago and Rio, with Chicago still the favourite at betfair offering 2.18 to 2, while Rio is 2.3 to 2 (If I'm reading their odd structure correct . Going to be an interesting voting round. Tokyo should be out first, but after that, I wouldn't put it past Madrid surviving the second round after it's presentation.

CHICAGO ELIMINATED IN FIRST ROUND!!!

Tokyo eliminated as well.

Go Rio! I love when American cities are eliminated from the Olympics.

Jimmy Carter will say the fault belongs to those racist bastards at the IOC.

Rio is going to get it. I think what happened was simple Rio won most of the Americas vote, got Africa and a a few other areas. Madrid and Tokyo survived as long as they did because they won their regional areas vote.

same thread in 2 places...couldn't one have just been closed and referenced to the other one...so here goes again....

watching the Chicago news and the newscasters are shocked that they were the first city elimanted today which they thought they could have been selected for the olympics.

Think it is now between Rio and Madrid.

Anyway, Obama and Oprah made a big push for Chicago that failed very fast.

I copied it to the water cooler thread as I think the event deserves more exposure than just for sports fans. It's true that I could've just link it back.

That was a slap to the face for Obama. Wow!

If Madrid wins it just shows that Mr. Corrupcy, Samaranch still is playing everybody

It will show the IOC is very corrupt. Hopefully Rio wins and then at least give it to a nation that deserves it.