First Lady Heading to Copenhagen to Help Secure Chicago’s 2016 Olympic Bid
EmailABC News has learned that First Lady Michelle Obama is heading to Copenhagen, Denmark, next month to help seal the deal with the International Olympic Committee for Chicago’s 2016 Olympic bid.
From October 1 through October 9, the 121st IOC Session & XIII Olympic Congress meets. The King of Spain and the President of Brazil are going as well to try to help bids made by Madrid and Rio de Janeiro, respectively.
There has been pressure on the administration to send the president to help close, though sending a world leader to such a thing is not without some risk, if the bid is rejected.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s pitch to the Olympic Congress in Singapore is said to have helped London in its successful bid for the 2012 games, as was Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s trip to see the IOC officials in Guatemala City and convinced them to hold the 2014 games in 2014.
As president, Mr. Obama has delegated the effort to help Chicago with its bid to senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, but last June, then-Sen. Obama appeared at a rally in Chicago where he said, “in 2016, I'll be wrapping up my second term as president. So I can't think of a better way than to be marching into Washington Park … as president of the United States and announcing to the world, 'Let the games begin!’”
-jpt
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Huh, didn’t think of that. I was thinking maybe a cabinet officer or ex-pres or something would be delegated. First Lady works too.
Posted by: jhw539 | September 11, 2009, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm
Try the truth | Sep 11, 2009 11:01:38 AM
First Ladies choose a particular aspect of the country’s social problems and support it for four years. Like reading, say no to drugs, etc. This is what I am talking about. I’m sorry but running a PSA for a day does not qualify.
Posted by: Are my pants actually on fire? | Sep 11, 2009 11:15:21 AM
Or flying off to Copenhagen…
Posted by: Are my pants actually on fire? | September 11, 2009, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm
Personally, I’d rather see the Olympics go to Rio de Janeiro.
The Olympics have never been held in a South American country before.
Posted by: Shazaam | September 11, 2009, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm
Following in the footsteps of her husband, Michelle will go over to Denmark and apologize to the rest of the countries for America winning so many gold medals over the years…
Posted by: Wilma | September 11, 2009, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm
She’s not coming back as “Christine” is she?
Posted by: Jorgensen | September 11, 2009, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm
Good luck, Michelle! It would be awesome to have the Olympics here in our home town. I know you’ll do Chicago and the country proud.
Posted by: Alyson | September 11, 2009, 2:13 pm 2:13 pm
Wonder if she’s bringing her 37 staff members and $700 purse. Yeah, she’s “just folks.”
Posted by: Ronnie Van Zant | September 11, 2009, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
It is a privilege to host the Olympics, not a right. A host city shouldn’t need the Olympics MORE THAN the Olympics needs them. Crime and corruption in Chicago is an embarrassment to the nation. I pray that another city is given the privilege to host the 2016 Olympics.
Posted by: pjean | September 11, 2009, 3:58 pm 3:58 pm
Crime and corruption in Chicago is an embarrassment to the nation. I pray that another city is given the privilege to host the 2016 Olympics.
Posted by: pjean | Sep 11, 2009 3:58:33 PM
Have you ever even been to Chicago or are you basing your image of it on The Untouchables or something? It’s a great, beautiful, fun midwestern city. I love it here. It will be a great privilege to host it and we won’t embarrass anyone. Where do you live that you can be so judgmental?
Posted by: Alyson | September 11, 2009, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
I think the olympics would be great for Chicago. It’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It’s a shame so many of its residents are so bitter. It’s time Chicago gets to be in the spotlight. I’ve been to Rio and Chicago is nothing like that city. Rio is full of extreme poverty and it’s one of the most dangerous cities in the world. So all you Chicago haters out there..stop bashing your great city. Be thankful you don’t live in RIO!
Posted by: eric | September 11, 2009, 4:43 pm 4:43 pm
Chicago is a great choice for the olympics. Chicago is not nearly as crime ridden and dangerous as RIO. Why are all you american’s so negative? Be proud of Chicago it’s a spectacular clean city.
Posted by: eric123 | September 11, 2009, 4:48 pm 4:48 pm
I live in New York and I think Chicago is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen. Their water front is amazing. The skyline is the most beautiful in the world. I think the IOC will choose Chicago over Rio when it’s all said and done. Getting the olympics might actually help your city. It will bring money and tourism to Chicago. Sometimes I wonder if Chicagoans want their city to end up like Detroit. Let the world see how great Chicago is.. Stop bashing your own city.
Posted by: craig | September 11, 2009, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm
“Rio is full of extreme poverty”
So if we are basing the selection on need…
Posted by: Alice | September 11, 2009, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm
I’m amazed at how Americans are so negative. Yes, Rio is a scary city. Its people are in need of lots of things, not the olympics…Chicago is a beautiful city and will do a great job of hosting the olympics, if their citizens will stop being negative.
Posted by: mary | September 11, 2009, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm
Rio’s citizens need help with food and crime. I don’t think the olympics will help them with either. I’m Canadian and when Toronto wanted the games we didn’t bash our city. I wish Toronto had Chicago’s beautiful beaches and wealth. Let the world see what you Chicago people get to enjoy everyday. What do you Americans want? You don’t want Healthcare. You don’t want the olympics. Stop being a negative american..Let Chicago show the world how great it is.
Posted by: mya | September 11, 2009, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
“Be thankful you don’t live in RIO!”
I’ve been to both. Given a choice, I’d have to go with Rio. Unless you’ve been to both, a valid comparison cannot be made.
Posted by: tjp612 | September 11, 2009, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm
“in 2016, I’ll be wrapping up my second term as president.”
I wouldn’t count Rev. Wright’s roosters just yet, Barry. You’ve got a long, long way to go.
Posted by: tjp612 | September 11, 2009, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm
Why are americans so afraid of everything. The olympics will help bring tons of attention to CHICAGO. Chicago fought hard against San Fran and LA to get the nomination, so stop trying to bash Chicago. I know if Atlanta can pull of an olympics, it’ll be a breeze for CHICAGO. Let’s stop the complaining about our city. You have the choice to move to another city if you’re so unhappy in Chicago. If you actually did move,you’d see how great your city is.
Posted by: Aaron | September 11, 2009, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm
I’ve been to both and Chicago blows Rio away. It’s cleaner, has a more beautiful shore line.. and it’s hell of a lot safer. I flew for American Airlines for 12 years and stayed in Rio many nights. It’s dangerous and very dirty with lots of pitiful people who need more than the olympics. So I can make the comparison!!! Check the murder rates for each city..Rio had almost 3,000 last year. So don’t compare any american city with RIO. You people are haters. I hope you’re not real Chicagoans.
Posted by: mike | September 11, 2009, 5:21 pm 5:21 pm
I’ve been there and yes Rio is full of extreme poverty. The beaches were all closed and full of garbage. I was afraid to go out at night by myself. I’ve been to Chicago and it is beautiful. I live in Seattle and I think Chicago is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. I was amazed at the beach views of the city. It is truly spectacular!!!
Posted by: toney | September 11, 2009, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm
Why are you American’s such negative people. GO Canada.. I agree that the olympic will only be good for Chicago. One other thing to all you bitter American….Healthcare is a right that all people should have. Stop bashing our healthcare system that you know nothing about. Keep giving your citizens guns and denying them healthcare. That will make for a great society. Stop being so greedy and let Chicago have a chance to show the world how beautiful it is.
Posted by: leona | September 11, 2009, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm
I love Chicago, but I’d like to see Tokyo get the Olympics in 2016.
Posted by: MayBee | September 11, 2009, 5:29 pm 5:29 pm
2016 Olympics in N.Korea!!!
Posted by: dumbak | September 11, 2009, 6:56 pm 6:56 pm