No need to wait for 2016, Oprah will be bringing the Olympics to Chicago on Wednseday, September 3, 2008.  Michael Phelps, along with 150 other medal winners from this year's Olympics will be joining her for a Special downtown taping of her show.

According to the ChiTown Daily News, the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization is demanding the city close two coal-burning power plants and increase transportation or abandon its 2016 Olympic bid.

Michael Phelps, the winner of eight gold medals at the Bejing Olympics, will visit Chicago on September 3rd in support of Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid.  Details surrounding the visit have yet to be announced but we will be bringing them to you as soon as they are available.

According to online betting site OLBG Sports, Chicago is current favored to win the 2016 Olympics at several online bookies.  Chicago odds are currently paying 10/11, Rio is next at  9/4, followed by Tokyo at  4/1 and Madrid at 7/1.While always humerous to see the odd things people can (and will) bet on, it's probably worth noting that such markets have relatively low predictive power this far away from an event. 

The buzz over the last few days has been about the Chicago bid talking with local (and not-so-local) communities talking with Chicago to see how they might help out.