Rio de Janeiro to host 2016 Games

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Unswayed by a lobbying effort by President Obama, the International Olympic Committee decided to send the Games to South America for the first time, inspiring shouts of joy on Rio de Janeiro's beaches and leaving supporters in Chicago shocked and disappointed.

The IOC awarded the 2016 Summer Games to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after unceremoniously booting Chicago out of the four-city fight for the Games in the first round of secret-ballot voting. Though many present at the vote said Obama's appearance was well received, it was not the deal-clincher for his adopted hometown some observers anticipated.

Chicago received 18 of 94 first-round votes, news that silenced revelers who had gathered at Chicago's Daley Plaza and left some bid leaders in tears.

Obama earlier this week changed course and decided to travel to the Danish capital to lend his popularity and the prestige of his office to Chicago's bid. He was subdued when he returned to the White House.

"I believe it is always a worthwhile endeavor to promote and boost the United States of America and invite the world to see what we're all about," he told reporters in the Rose Garden.

Facing two wars, a teetering economy and a raging health-care debate, Obama was criticized by some Republican leaders for immersing himself in Chicago's effort. First lady Michelle Obama spent two days meeting IOC members in Denmark.

Of the outcome, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley said, "I was shocked. I was disappointed. I couldn't believe it."

Members of the IOC have called the U.S. Olympic Committee's share of Olympic television and sponsorship revenue "immoral," and relations between the bodies worsened recently when the USOC announced plans for an independent television deal that were scuttled in the contentious aftermath.

IOC members "don't hate America, they hate the USOC, and with good reason," said Dick Ebersol, who controls the Olympics operation for NBC, the biggest Olympic-rights holder.

Tokyo fell out in the second round with 20 votes, and Madrid, Spain, was crushed by Rio by a 66-32 vote in the final round. Rio will host soccer's World Cup in 2014.

The 2012 Olympics are in London.