Washington - US President Barack Obama is to visit Copenhagen to support Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games, the White House confirmed Monday. Obama will arrive in the Danish capital Friday morning, and return to the US following the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting the same day when the decision about the 2016 host city will be made. The other contenders are Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo.
"President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will both make presentations to the IOC during Friday's session," said the White House in a statement.
"They will discuss why Chicago is best to host the 2016 Summer Games, and how the United States is eager to bring the world together to celebrate the ideals of the Olympic movement."
Michelle Obama, who is leading the Chicago delegation, will arrive in Copenhagen on Wednesday along with talkshow host Oprah Winfrey and Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama and head of the White House Office on Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport.
The president's decision to travel despite ongoing efforts to push through his health reform package at home was strongly welcomed by Chicago 2016 CEO, Patrick Ryan, who said it showed the level of support the city's bid had from the US government.
"There is no greater expression of the support our bid enjoys, from the highest levels of government and throughout our country, than to have President Obama join us in Copenhagen for the pinnacle moment in our bid," he said.
"We are honored that President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will be with us to extend a hand of friendship on behalf of our nation and the City of Chicago as we seek to welcome the world for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games."
Barring any major international crisis, Obama would therefore be the third US president to visit Denmark in the past 12 years, following trips in 1997 by Bill Clinton and 2007 by George W Bush.
In order to cope with security, police officers from other parts of Denmark are likely to be deployed during Obama's whirlwind trip.
The brief presidential visit will also entail a meeting with Queen Margrethe and Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.
