Sep 3, 2008 7:38 pm US/Central
Oprah Goes For The Gold With Olympics Special
Talk Show Queen Taping Season Premiere To Showcase Chicago's 2016 Bid
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Oprah Winfrey is using her best tool to help Chicago's Olympic bid - her talk show. Winfrey brought almost 200 Olympic athletes to Chicago for her season premiere. Hundreds of people packed Millennium Park to see the blockbuster show.
CBS 2's Vince Gerasole reports that it was a confetti-filled congratulation celebration. Leave it to Oprah Winfrey to pull this one off - bringing 175 American Olympic medalists together. And don't tell us you don't recognize most of these faces – they are the athletes whose triumphs we watched from afar - and Oprah shared the moment at Millennium Park before a cheering crowd of thousands.
"It's hard to get a ticket," Mayor Daley said.
Attending his first ever taping - Mayor Daley admitted this kind of exposure could boost the city's Olympic bid.
"It does make a difference to show how people really want the Olympics in 2016 in Chicago," Daley said.
"What I am hoping is that the spirit of energy of what these athletes bring when they all come together, that the energy of that will come across that screen and the Olympic committee will say, 'What were we thinking? Chicago - that's the only city,'" Winfrey said.
And a chorus of Olympians sang Chicago's praises - starting with Tinley Park's Christine Magnuson.
"I'd love to have it in Chicago," said Magnuson, swimming medalist. "I mean this is a beautiful city and everyone has been saying so actually."
"Being in a city where the Olympics could be, it's great to be back in the U.S.," said Michael Phelps.
"This city - they are a city of sports fans - it's always so fun to come here and I've gotten a million high-fives every day," said Kerri Walsh, Women's Volleyball.
The games could change Chicago, but the medals in his pocket have already changed swimmer Matt Grevers' life.
"It's actually a good pass for things," said Matt Grevers, swimmer. "It got me upgraded on my flight home."
The Lake Forest native doesn't know if he'll still be competing in 2016, but the outpouring of emotion he witnessed today gives him the inspiration to keep at it.
"You come to the United States and people are like, 'Hey, Matt', and people recognize me and that really means a lot," Grevers said.
More than one Olympian told us they were so focused on the games in Beijing, they didn't realize how much the folks back home were supporting their achievements.
"It gives you goose bumps, it makes you know that everybody is behind you and your country is proud of you," said Shawn Johnson, gymnast.
"It's been a beautiful experience and a tremendous honor for us all," Kobe Bryant said.
Folks were getting excited before dawn.
"I closed my bakery for the first time in 25 years!" said Sue Peltezr, Mokena.
All as they lined up for good seats in their Olympic best.
"Then on my back, I have my 'I (heart) Phelps' right there," a spectator said.
"We're pumped!" said Fatima Karim-Murji, West Loop. "We're so pumped!"
Hundreds of fans stood in line for hours outside Winfrey's Chicago studio last weekend to wait for tickets to the taping. Some camped out in lawn chairs. For those who couldn't get passes for the 2,000 seats, about 7,000 lawn spots were made available.
Another 2,000 seats were set aside for the Olympians' family and friends. Tickets for Winfrey's Chicago tapings are usually available only by phone and are nearly impossible to get.
"I totally screamed, I've been screaming since Saturday," said Karin Riggs, Oak Park.
That's when Karen called her friend Marianne in Copenhagen with some gold medal news.
"She said, 'Guess what? I got tickets for something that you always wanted', and I go 'Oprah show, I can't believe it!'" said Marianne Bartima, Copenhagen.
Yes, she flew across the pond to see Michael and Jenny and Kobe and Shawn, and of course, Oprah.
"Did I watch the Olympics? It was like a religion," Winfrey said.
Winfrey told us the inspiration for the celebration came from the Olympic spirit that captured the nation.
"It made us all feel like we were a part of each other," Winfrey said. "You can decide what you want to do and decide what you want to be, and work toward it and you can achieve your goals."
And getting to see Michael Phelps in person - that's pretty good too.
"I'll probably cry. I'll shake and cry. I won't be able to control my emotions," said Samantha Peltezr, Mokena.
The Olympics show will air on Monday, September 8th for the 23rd season premiere of Oprah Winfrey's talk show.
Chicago is a finalist for the 2016 Games along with Tokyo; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Madrid, Spain. The International Olympic Committee will choose the 2016 host next year.
Oprah Winfrey may have helped Chicago's chances. After all, her show reaches 107 countries.
CBS 2's Vince Gerasole and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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