Just up Lake Shore Drive, which would serve as the major artery for Olympic buses, a beach volleyball venue could sit at the east end of North Avenue. Each summer, Chicagoans congregate there to play volleyball, and it seems only fitting to place the stadium at the beach. I can't say I know exactly where the Olympic stadium would be located -- perhaps newly renovated Soldier Field or another location a bit south?

It should be noted that, like New York City, Chicago's government has a very solid relationship with the private sector, and Mayor Richard M. Daley always has been a major force behind Chicago's public works and summer festivals.

Transportation is always a topic of contention and here, Chicago is again a unique city. The "El" can be expanded and updated. As an above-ground rail line, it allows visitors traveling to events an opportunity to view the city.

Another major asset of Chicago and the Chicagoland area is the number of universities with existing athletic venues that could renovated over the next 11 years to accommodate the Olympics. Northwestern's campus could host field hockey, basketball and other sports.

The University of Illinois at Chicago Pavilion has hosted U.S. women's basketball games in the past. Loyola University's gymnasium, along the northern lakefront, could house wrestling or judo. Allstate Arena could host basketball or gymnastics, whichever event does not land in the United Center. Chicago State, Northern Illinois and the University of Illinois could host soccer games, along with other Big Ten schools for preliminary contests. The central role of universities during the Chicago Games is appropriate for a nation in love with collegiate sports.

Chicago, like New York and London, is a multiethnic city. The city itself is a manifestation of the Olympic motto, "Citius, Altius, Fortius" (faster, higher, stronger). Once a frontier city, Chicago now stands as one of the top major economic and cultural centers of America.

Chicago deserves the Games because too few people appreciate what the city offers. Oprah obviously gets it, and we all know that Oprah is never wrong.

Let's forget about the gorgeous and feasible layout of the Chicago Games and its cultural qualifications. The beauty of the Olympics lies in the images we have from past games. Jesse Owens winning in Berlin, the silhouette of Greg Louganis in Seoul, South Korea and the emotional impact of Cathy Freeman's win in the 400 meters in Sydney, representing both Australian and Aboriginal people. Cities that host the games become a part of a collective global memory that bind us together as citizens, even in the face of economic strife, war and terrorism. Chicago deserves to and will contribute its own wonderfully inspiring images.

Imagine the gold-medal baseball game played against the backdrop of the Ivy at Wrigley Field (if baseball is voted back into the Games in 2016). Imagine Lake Shore Drive filled with cyclists for the road race. Imagine the Chicago skyline at night with the Olympic flame burning brightly. And lastly, imagine two-time gold medalist and world sports icon Michael Jordan lighting that very flame, a moment that will rival Muhammad Ali's lighting of the Atlanta torch.

So, I call upon the prominent citizens of Chicago (Oprah, that means you) and Mayor Daley to seize this idea. I am writing this in the hope that Chicago 2016 is not a pipedream but a potential reality. I truly believe the city deserves the Games and would be a tremendous Olympic host.