Obama heading to Copenhagen to back Chicago's Olympic bid
COPENHAGEN -- Chicago will have the most powerful pitchman of any U.S. city that has tried to win the right to host an Olympics, with President Obama due here for the International Olympic Committee's vote Friday on the 2016 Summer Games host.
Obama's presence could give Chicago a winning boost in a very tight race with Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo. Chicago and Rio are considered the frontrunners. Rio is bidding to bring the Olympics to South America for the first time.
"President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama symbolize the hope, opportunity and inspiration that makes Chicago great, and we are honored to have two of our city's most accomplished residents leading our delegation in Copenhagen," Chicago Mayor Richard Daley said in a statement.
When the IOC chose the 2012 Olympic host in 2005, then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair lobbied IOC members personally leading into the vote, and his presence was instrumental in helping London edge Paris by four votes. Two years later, then-Russian President Vladimir Putin was present when the IOC awarded the 2014 Winter Olympics to Sochi, Russia.
Brazil's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and King Juan Carlos of Spain also plan to be in Copenhagen as does Japan's new prime minister, Yukio Hatoyama.
Obama, though, is sure to be the headliner.
"I think a lot of Americans don't realize — maybe they're all caught up in the 50.1%-49.9% debate on health care — but out there in the rest of the world, Obama is a superstar," IOC member Dick Pound of Canada says.
Obama's presence here has been up in the air since he personally called IOC president Jacques Rogge three weeks ago and told Rogge his efforts toward health-insurance reform might prevent him from attending.
"Of course, the IOC is very honored with the presence of dignitaries, be them heads of state or heads of government," Rogge said in a teleconference with reporters last week. "This is something that is an honor for the IOC. It is also reassurance that public authorities are behind the bid and will be supportive. However, this is absolutely not a requirement of the IOC."
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