President Obama wants Chicago to host 2016 Summer Games
Published:Wednesday | September 16, 2009 | 5:21 PM
President Barack Obama staged an Olympic rally at the White House today, saying the United States were cheering for his hometown of Chicago in their efforts to host the 2016 Summer Games.
President Obama said the American people are ready and they want the games.
The International Olympic Committee will choose a host city during an October 2 meeting in Copenhagen.
Obama will not attend the meetings, instead he will be sending first lady Michelle Obama to lead the U.S. delegation.
Chicago is in a tough competition with Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo.
In recent years, heads of state have traveled to the IOC meetings to help seal the deal such as Tony Blair for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and Vladimir Putin for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.