If anybody knows the benefits of promotion and how to stage effective come-ons, it’s Oprah Winfrey, the rich, famous and versatile entertainment personality.

One of her latest highly commendable efforts was to tape the season premiere of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” at a downtown Chicago park. Thousands of spectators were on hand to cheer Olympic medalists Michael Phelps, Dara Torres and Kobe Bryant, and Chicago got a magnificent boost for its bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. The nation and the world were able to share in the occasion,.The highly popular talk show hostess had invited U.S. Olympic athletes to attend the ceremonies and more than 150 athletes were introduced under a shower of red, white and blue confetti. It was a tremendous occasion that also allowed the nation to pay tribute to its Olympians.

The sometimes-controversial 2008 Summer Olympics have just concluded in Beijing; the 2012 games already are ticketed for London. Evidence is that Chicago, with all its resources, location and ready access to the world, will turn heaven and earth to be the 2016 host. Chicago has the wherewithal to match or top anything we saw in Beijing or will see in 2012 in England.

China, with its $40 billion outlay, conducted superlative functions this summer. London says it will not have to spend that much to do even better. But America, with superstars such as Oprah Winfrey, in many ways “owns” entertainment and the ability to gear up for major functions like the Olympics. Chicago is fortunate that the TV entertainer has dedicated herself and many of her vast resources to get the 2016 games.

The competitors for the 2016 host designation are Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Madrid, Spain. The contest will be a torrid one but we, and the officials involved, need to realize just how much Chicago can offer that the other competitors cannot. With people such as the inventive Oprah Winfrey in its corner, the Windy City will have a great chance to win.

To be sure, she doesn’t go into many ventures without a desire to make money. She often succeeds. But she also has a great record of selfless contributions to benefit society and the fact she staged her Olympic promotion gets Chicago off to a good start in its quest for this 2016 plum.