The signs are up, the banners are unfurled and officials hoping to bring the 2016 Summer Olympics to Chicago are hoping the city lives up to its promise on paper.
An International Olympic Committee inspection team arrives in town Thursday.
The team will be in Chicago until early next week to grade the city on its bid. They'll visit the sites of proposed venues and meet with Chicago 2016 officials.
At a news conference Wednesday, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley urged Chicagoans to show they're excited about the city's bid by making posters and registering their support online.
Chicago is the first of the four finalists cities to be inspected. Chicago is competing against Tokyo, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro. The IOC will decide in October which city will be the host.
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In photo: Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, left, listens to 400 meter state champion Raena Rhone speak at a news conference Wednesday, April 1, 2009, in Chicago, prior to a six day visit by the International Olympic Committee Evaluation Commission to evaluate Chicago's plan for the 2016 games beginning Thursday. Rhone spoke of her desire to compete in the 2016 Olympics in her home town.
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