No matter who you are or whether or not you backed Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympics, I think the decision stunned everyone. The shock from being eliminated first was even more surprising than not securing the Olympic Games at all.

With the support of Chicago’s leaders and most famous faces coupled with the confidence of Mayor Richard M. Daley, I don’t think there was a single person who didn’t think that we had it in the bag—regardless of the opposition from residents.

Even after the last-minute decision by President Barack Obama to fly to Copenhagen to address the IOC and Michelle Obama’s emotional plea, Chicago still fell short of the gold—actually if medals were given they wouldn’t have placed gold, silver, nor bronze. Maybe the critics are right, the “Obamamania” really is over. However, this has to take a toll on his ego. The president, for whom, we set such high expectations, our proclaimed “golden child,” suffers disappointment just like the rest of us. However, his defeat was on an international stage. Maybe he is human after all.

However,  Chicago’s loss is not one person’s fault. The city gave everything it possibly could in it’s effort to secure the bid. There were block parties, elaborate video presentations from famous faces like Oprah and the visible support of many former Olympians like Michael Jordan and Michael Johnson. However, many residents of Chicago never put their full support behind the Olympics. There were residents fearing displacement and many also feared the organized chaos that could come along with being the host city.

It didn’t help that Chicago has become one of the most violent places in the country, with the fatal beating of a young boy coming just days before the final vote was made. Many felt the mayor put so much time and effort into the Olympics, that he was ignoring the real issues the city faces.

Now that the three-year quest for the Olympics is finally over, we can only hope that some of Chicago’s worse problems will finally be addressed. Daley and the rest of the delegation talked a lot about the legacy a Chicago Olympics would leave for the next generation. However, without securing a safe environment for our children, there will be no legacy to leave.

As Obama said, Chicago is a city of unity, and this loss further proves his theory. Without the unity of its people, nothing is possible. So because of this, we should actually be proud. The city of Chicago came together in disapproval of hosting the Olympics and, indeed the voices of the people were heard.