What blocked the United States from getting the Olympics?

I would have to say that the United States and its lack of attention to the criminal status there. Also, I would have to include all of the countries that are seeking to hold the Olympics as well. Any country knows that it must show rational planning and thinking in reference to the world community. It must 'clean up its own act.' Thus, if a country can't, why should it invite other countries to come and do an Olympics, where they won't ultimately be safe? Didn't any of the countries who signed up for the scrutiny of the Olympics Committee, know that personnel from this committee would come and check them out secretly? This way, the countries that asked to be included, should have been prepared for such surveillance. The purpose obviously would be to see if the participating country would have a safe compatible setting for world competitors. I did notice that Rio de Janiero had a bad news situation recently. Hopefully, it will have its business settled by 2016. No place is perfectly safe, but we as world members, must strive for that result. May God bless us all.

It's probably because many of the most recent Olympic Games (both summer and winter) have been hosted by the US in the past 50 years. Since 1960, the games have been held in places like Squaw Valley, Lake Placid, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and would have also been held in Denver (1976 Winter Games) if voters there hadn't rejected a bond issue that would have allocated funding to construct the facilities. Also, the fact that no Olympic Games have ever been held in South America likely was another reason.

I personally think it would have been a nightmare for tourists getting thru border security. Also, how safe would you feel in Chicago? The city has a reputation. Recent mayors on corruption charges. Former Governor facing charges. It doesn't bode well, you have to admit that.

no, because rio is more prepared for it than other city

and south america never got olympic before ever, so rio look like good place to give olympic, plus brazil will host 2014 fifa cup so it give rio chance to be prepare for both fifa and olympic

Why should we have gotten it? We have had the pleasure several times before. It is somebody else's turn.

Obama? I don't know. Just plain bad luck I guess.