USOC: Obama Key To Chicago's Hopes

CHICAGO, Sept. 10 -- U.S. Olympic Committee officials have all but begged President Obama to travel to Copenhagen next month to personally represent Chicago in the final days of the city's campaign to host the 2016 Summer Games.

Asked repeatedly during a Thursday morning news conference about whether Obama would attend the run-up to the Oct. 2 vote to decide the 2016 site, USOC officials said they did not know the president's plans but had tried to impress upon the White House the importance of his presence.

"I think we have all clearly communicated to the White House that we think President Obama's presence would greatly assist the bid," USOC Chairman Larry Probst said. "I can't provide any update, but we sure would like him there with the team."

Added Probst: "I think it would be significant. I think it would be extremely important. We're all hoping he can join us there to enhance the Chicago 2016 bid."

Heads of state for the other bidding cities -- Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid -- have said they will attend. Visits from political leaders representing contending cities have been considered critical aspects of recent site selections by the International Olympic Committee's 100-plus members, who award the Games in secret-ballot votes.

Asked Thursday whether Obama planned to attend the announcement in Copenhagen, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs initially replied, "Not that I'm aware of, no," before adding that he would check to be certain. The news of Gibbs's equivocal response traveled quickly to Chicago, where Olympic officials said they still believed Obama might go.

"Regardless of what the press secretary said, my opinion is that is still being discussed and debated and a final determination will be made between now and October 2," Probst said.

USOC and Chicago bid leaders seem to be trying to persuade Obama to go while avoiding staking the success of the bid on his presence -- in case he doesn't show up. Officials hope Obama's connections to the city -- his home sits about halfway between the planned Olympic Stadium and a cluster of venues just south of the Navy Pier -- and longtime ties to various Chicago 2016 board members and supporters will influence the decision.

In recent weeks, Spain's King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia; Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; and Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and Princess Masako have announced they will attend the Copenhagen vote, which will be preceded by days of hobnobbing and formal bid presentations.

Chicago and U.S. Olympic officials point out that the Obama administration has shown its support of the Chicago Games by doing four videos for the bid and, in June, creating a White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport. On Wednesday, the White House announced that it would welcome a group of Olympians next week after they visit local schools.

"I think the White House is firmly committed to the Chicago 2016 bid," Probst said.

Officials believe the bid received a significant boost Wednesday when Chicago's city council voted to provide a full governmental financial guarantee to Games operations, removing what many believed was the most significant technical roadblock the bid faced. Each of the other bid cities already had secured full guarantees.

The IOC says it welcomes the attendance of heads of states on the behalf of cities seeking the Games. In 2005, Prime Minister Tony Blair's appearance and extensive handshaking in Singapore were deemed critical in London's upset of France for the 2012 Summer Games. Two years later, Russian President Vladimir Putin showed up to the selection in Guatemala, and Sochi landed the 2014 Winter Games.

Staff writer Scott Wilson contributed from Washington.