Chicago is one of the four finalists for the 2016 Olympics
NEWSWIRE
Tokyo, Madrid, and Rio de Janeiro are also chosen by the IOC, which will make a final decision on Oct. 2, 2009.
Chicago was one of four cities selected as bid finalists for the 2016 Summer Olympics on Thursday in Athens, joining Tokyo, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro.
Failing to make the International Olympic Committee short list were Doha, Qatar; Prague, Czech Republic; and Baku, Azerbaijan.
The finalists now advance to a 16-month race that will end on Oct. 2, 2009, with a secret ballot by the full IOC at its session in Copenhagen.
Chicago, trying to bring the Olympics back to the United States for the first time since 1996, got a dose of reality in the IOC's report assessing the technical bids, which cited problems with finances and transportation, among others.
Madrid was third in the vote for the 2012 Olympics. Tokyo held the Summer Games in 1964 and Rio de Janiero would become the first South American city to host the Olympics.
PRO FOOTBALL
'Pacman' practices, even defends Owens
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, partially reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being suspended for the 2007 season over legal problems, was matched up against Terrell Owens on a couple of plays in his first workout open to the media in Irving, Texas.
Nicholas Kaczur, a 28-year-old starting right tackle for the New England Patriots, worked as an informant for federal drug agents after he was arrested in New York on a charge of carrying the painkiller oxycodone without a prescription, said an attorney for the alleged supplier Daniel Ekasala.
Kaczur denied to the Boston Globe that he participated in the investigation. Neither the Patriots nor the U.S. attorney's office would comment.
Two weeks after announcing defensive end Jason Taylor wouldn't practice with the team through training camp, Miami Dolphins Coach Tony Sparano said he told Taylor that he and the organization want him back.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Jerramy Stevens was suspended without pay for the first two games of the season and fined an additional game check for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
"Inside the NFL," which ended its 31-year run on HBO in February, will return on Showtime on Wednesdays starting Sept. 10.
SOCCER
Red Bulls' Altidore will be going to Spain
