Obama pushes for Chicago’s 2016 Olympic bid
WASHINGTON — Aiming to boost his hometown of Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, President Barack Obama is bringing Olympic athletes to the White House next week and sending a senior adviser to Denmark to lobby Olympic officials, White House officials said Wednesday.
Valerie Jarrett, one of Obama’s top advisers, will attend an Oct. 2 International Olympic Committee meeting in Copenhagen, said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. The IOC is announcing after that meeting the host city for the 2016 summer games.
Chicago is competing with Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo, and winning the bid for his hometown is a major priority for Obama. Jarrett also hails from Chicago and has been active in the city’s years of efforts to host the games.
In July, Obama taped an appeal to support Chicago’s bid when International Olympic officials met in Abuja, Nigeria. In June the White House announced creation of a new White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport, which is hosting next week’s event.
The White House has not said if Obama will also travel to Denmark.
But Wednesday, Obama is hosting an event jointly at the White House with Chicago 2016, the city’s bid committee, said a White House official. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement had not yet been made.
The Olympic athletes will first visit local schools and then join Obama and his wife, Michelle, at the White House in the afternoon.
The event is aimed both at showcasing U.S. talent and highlighting the administration’s commitment to giving children the tools to succeed in life, including access to sports and exercise, the official said.
Associated Press writer Julie Pace contributed to this report.
Related News
Michelle Obama begins US pitch to take 2016 Olympics to Chicago in Copenhagen presentationOctober 2nd, 2009 Michelle Obama pitches Chicago bid for OlympicsCOPENHAGEN — U.S. first lady Michelle Obama made a personal plea for bringing the 2016 Olympic games to Chicago, telling officials who will pick the host country that she saw sports bring her hometown together as a child and today hopes the games would bring the world together.
Chicago and Tokyo are rejected as sites for the 2016 Olympics; Rio or Madrid will winOctober 2nd, 2009 Chicago doesn't get 2016 OlympicsCOPENHAGEN — Chicago was eliminated in the first ballot of voting for the 2016 Olympics on Friday, a stunning defeat for the city that was expected to be one of the two finalists. Tokyo was also eliminated, leaving Rio de Janeiro and Madrid as the finalists.
Obama en route to Denmark to lobby for Chicago's bid to host 2016 Summer Olympic GamesOctober 1st, 2009 Obama heads to Denmark to lobby for 2016 OlympicsWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is on his way to Denmark to help his adopted hometown of Chicago try to land the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Obama departed the White House on Thursday evening for an overnight flight to Copenhagen.
Obama to make final push for Chicago's Olympic bidOctober 1st, 2009 WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama departs for Copenhagen to make a final pitch on behalf of the city of Chicago to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. Obama will address the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ahead of its planned announcement Friday of the winning city.
President Obama joining wife at Copenhagen meeting to pitch Chicago for 2016 OlympicsSeptember 30th, 2009 Obama will go to Denmark to pitch for OlympicsWASHINGTON — A senior White House adviser says President Barack Obama has decided to travel to Copenhagen to lead the U.S. appeal for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Chicago.
Brazil's Lula says he encouraged Obama to go to Copenhagen, lobby for Chicago bidSeptember 30th, 2009 Brazil's Lula: I urged Obama to lobby for OlympicsCOPENHAGEN — Brazil's president says he's not worried that U.S. President Barack Obama is coming to Denmark to lobby that Chicago and not Rio de Janeiro should win the 2016 Olympics.
Daley praises President Obama's plan to head to Copenhagen for Chicago's 2016 Olympics pitchSeptember 30th, 2009 Daley praises Obama's decision to go to DenmarkCHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Richard Daley says he's honored that both President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will head to Copenhagen in support of Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. White House adviser Valerie Jarrett told The Associated Press on Monday that the president will leave Thursday for Europe.
Obama to use international popularity to bring 2016 Olympics to ChicagoSeptember 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama has said that he will leverage his international popularity to try to bring the 2016 Olympics to his hometown of Chicago. Obam will be traveling to Copenhagen personally to make the pitch Friday.
Obama Transportation Secretary LaHood to support Chicago Olympics bid at Denmark meetingSeptember 25th, 2009 Transportation Secretary going to Olympics meetingWASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is joining a growing list of Obama administration officials who will travel to Denmark next week to support Chicago's Olympic bid. The International Olympic Committee is meeting in Copenhagen on Oct.
Obama adviser gets Olympics advice from former British PM ahead of Olympics meetingSeptember 23rd, 2009 Obama adviser gets high-profile Olympics adviceWASHINGTON — A senior adviser to the president is getting advice on Chicago's 2016 Olympics bid from a high-profile source. An administration official says Valerie Jarrett met with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in New York Tuesday.
White House scouts possible Obama Copenhagen visit to pitch Chicago for OlympicsSeptember 19th, 2009 White House scouts possible Obama Copenhagen visitWASHINGTON — The White House says it is sending an advance team to Copenhagen to check out the possibility of a personal appearance by President Barack Obama before the Olympic committee. A senior adviser to Obama confirmed Saturday night to The Associated Press that the advance team would only be making sure Obama has the option of going to appeal for Chicago, which is bidding to host the Olympics in 2016.
Reservation, please. Chicago 2016 still waiting to hear if Obama will go to CopenhagenSeptember 10th, 2009 Obama could help Chicago _ if he goes for IOC voteCHICAGO — Chicago 2016 officials are still waiting to hear if President Barack Obama will join them in Denmark, and say his presence could be "very helpful" in their efforts to bring the Summer Olympics back to the United States for the first time in 20 years. The International Olympic Committee will pick a host city Oct.
AP Interview: Rogge predicts tight 2016 vote; says Obama presence not crucial to ChicagoSeptember 10th, 2009 Rogge: 2016 race will hinge on 'couple of votes'LONDON — IOC president Jacques Rogge expects the race for the 2016 Olympics to be decided by "a couple of votes" and says Chicago's chances won't hinge on whether President Barack Obama shows up for the vote. Rogge told The Associated Press there is no favorite going into the Oct.
New US ambassador to China makes pitch for Chicago Olympics in meeting with Chinese presidentAugust 28th, 2009 New ambassador to China makes pitch for ChicagoBEIJING — The new U.S. ambassador to China slipped in a pitch for Chicago to host the 2016 Summer Olympics while presenting his credentials to the Chinese president on Friday.
Chicago cites White House support and financial guarantees for 2016 Olympic bidJune 17th, 2009 Chicago leads off presentations to IOC membersLAUSANNE, Switzerland — Chicago has led off the presentations of the four cities bidding for the 2016 Olympics. The Chicago team stressed strong support from the White House and offered financial guarantees for staging the games.
Loading ...