Obamas host event to support Chicago's bid for 2016 Olympics
President Obama fences with US Olympic Fencer Tim Morehouse with a lightsaber. (Photo Credit: Jim Watson/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will try to bolster their hometown's chances of hosting the 2016 Summer Olympic Games Wednesday.
Chicago, Illinois, is competing with Madrid, Spain; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Tokyo, Japan, for the opportunity to hold the Summer Olympics.
Wednesday afternoon, the Obamas will play host to an event at the White House aiming to boost Chicago's bid.
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and U.S. Olympians and Paralympians are among those who will participate in the event, the White House said in a statement.
The International Olympic Committee will vote on the host city next month in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Michelle Obama announced last week that she would be traveling to Copenhagen for the meeting to support Chicago's chances.
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Go for it! Fired up and ready to go!
I hope tax payer dollars are not being used to fund these frivolous events...
"So they're having an event at the White House that does nothing for 99.9% of America and the Michelle is going to Denmark to lobby for something that does nothing for 99.9% of America?"
Chicago is the third larges city in the US.
9.5 million live in the Chicago metro area
An additional 1.7 million live in Milwaukee (About 73 miles away)
Not to mention St. Louis, Madison, and Indianapolis are all within a days drive.
So, where would you propose we have the Olympics, Death Vally? Besides, there is a virtual freshwater sea close by that is perfect for boating events and lots of easily accessible public transportation.
Go USA!!!!!
Way to go. Michellle is great! Haters you are idiots.
This guy is nothing more than a community organizer living I n government housing and that makes liberals happy.
Oh, goody. It should be interesting to see what sort of bribes, aka Chicago style politics, are offered to the Olympic committee.
So, Trying to get the Olymics back to the U.S. is a bad thing? Come on People. I don't remember this kind of backlash when LA, Atlanta, or New York was trying to get the Olympics?
Why would we NOT want the US to host the Olympics?
And people wonder why some feel race is a part of all this??? This president can't even try to help win the Olympics for the U.S. without being criticized.
I'm sorry I have lived in Chicago and it cannot compare to the other cities mentioned above.
I'm more curious to know how's the weather in Chicago in the summer.
Can't we please focus on jobs, economy, foreign policy and let others at a lower level "campaign" "lobby" (whatever) for the Olympic endeavor??? We need our President to be that ... not in constant campaign mode but focused and a leader. The plate is already full up.
Some of you are so blinded by your hate that you don't realize what holding the Olympics in the this country would bring. I have never been more ashamed to be an american than now. Do you realize that by hostin the Olympics here we would get a tremendous boost in tax revenue that will be collected by all of the travelers coming to America to watch the Olympics, not only that, but it will also help out or economy too. You guys are pathetic, all you can do is complain about everything no matter what it is.
Anyone who thinks this is not a GREAT thing for our country AND our economy is nuts – this brings in so much foreign money and puts so many people in greater Chicago to work, plus all the trickle-down to other people around the country who will produce goods for the events! It is just plain spite that has anyone commenting negatively that Mr. and Mrs. Obama are doing this for personal gain OR that it is a waste of taxpayer money. This is pro-America whether you are Republican, Democrat, Independent, Green, old, young, or any other section of demographic!
Oh No...he's campaigning to have the olympics held in the USA. This is SO wrong! He shouldn't be trying to get tourism business by doing this. Cities should NEVER be helped by a president. We should be spending our time like Bush did, going to other countries and torturing them, or vomiting on them.
This is unbelievable! Are some of you people serious? Do you realize how much money would flow into our economy by holding the Olympics in the U.S.? And how much international attention would be focused on our country? If President Obama were not currently President, I have a sneaking suspicion that the naysayers here would be fully in support of the U.S. hosting the Olympics. Hell, you'd probably keep your mouths shut if it was any U.S. location other than Chicago. And why all the hating on Chicago now anyway? Just because our President hails from there? How utterly ridiculous.
Be great to have the Olympics in the US. It would bring a lot of money into the country.
Its about time we had the Olympics in the USA. Who is paying for all this? I am a little more concerned about security and staying safe. Lot's to think about.
Interesting–I would love for Chicago to host the Olympics. What an opportunity! My enthusiasm is shadowed a little, though, by the off-chance that more is going on than meets the eye. I don't trust any politician's advocacy for pure aesthetic purposes. We'll see . . .
How strange it is that for Obama family travels, we want to use a different yardstick than was used for the Bush family. Sounds like more GOP math!
Guelph, Ontario
who cares at this point? he needs to start working on getting people jobs!!!
Chicago is one of the biggest cities in the USA. It is UNAMERICAN to object to any American city hosting the olympics. Why all the hate. Republicans had their chance with GWB. You might get another chance in 2016 if you start with trying to making the country better.
Let's look at it this way, the lining of pockets will also trickle down to the man on the street who peddles T-shirts. The hotels will be happy to do business and so on. If anyone of you is in an industry that will profit from this, say "Amen" and give thanks.
OLYMPICS would be GOOD for the local economy. I plan on going to Chicago and getting a vendors license and set up my PEACH COBBLER STAND, if all goes well. There is money to be made for everybody. Who cares about the Right Wing Nuts. They find fought in everything, even MONEY.
Chicago is a great city – and we are very proud of this President and First Lady!
Hey CNN ...
'Michelle Obama announced last week that she would be traveling to Copenhagen for the meeting to support Chicago's chances'.
That is First Lady Michelle Obama ........... thank you very much.
BIG WOW , if the olympics will be in Chicago ! Great idea,Obama !
I want to be the first lady helper if she want to go to Denmark ! She is very defferent than the rest past frist lady . Take me with you Michelle !