Copenhagen - Chicago lobbyist US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama were upstaged by a passionate Rio de Janeiro bid urging the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to bring the Olympics to South America for the first time. "Rio is ready, give us this chance and you will not regret it," said Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as Rio again presented a world map showing South America (and Africa) as a blank Olympic spot.
"I honestly believe it's Rio's time ... It would send a powerful message that the Olympics belong to all continents, all humanity."
Rio made a powerful and emotional 45-minute presentation after a Chicago pitch mainly lit up by the Obamas and a surprisingly passionate Tokyo show spearheaded by a young school girl.
Madrid were due to complete the presentations later Friday, with the IOC election following and the host city announcement by IOC boss Jacques Rogge set for 1630 GMT.
Less than two hours after arriving in Denmark, Obama told the IOC Session that "Chicago and America will make the world proud.
"I came here as a passionate supporter of the Olympics and Paralympics ... and as a proud Chicagoan ... America is ready and eager to assume that sacred trust."
Chicago is the adopted home town of the president, while his wife Michelle Obama was born and raised in the city.
Chicago pledged perfect conditions for athletes and fans, and a lasting legacy in a 45-minute presentation which had no real spark apart from the Obamas.
"Together, we can," was the slogan in one video excerpt, drawing on Obama's famous words "Yes, we can."
Michelle Obama talked passionately about her youth in the city, her late father and his love for sports, and what Olympics could do to the city.
"Today I am dreaming of Olympics to light up lives in the US and around the world," she said.
Obama, the first US president to present an Olympic bid before the IOC, promised that foreigners will have no trouble entering the country, saying the Olympics can be "a reminder that America at its best is open to the world."
When it was all over and the presidential couple had shaken hands with many IOC members, Obama said: "Chicago couldn't have made a better presentation. I am proud and thankful for (bid chief) Pat Ryan."
Next on after the world's most powerful politician was a 15-year- old schoolgirl and gymnast from Japan, Resa Mishina.
"I am not a head of state," she said. "I represent a much bigger group, the youth of the world."
Mishina expressed today's concerns of the young generation, ranging from poverty to the environment, the latter an important cornerstone also mentioned prominently by new Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.
Tokyo tried to shrug off its image of showing not enough emotion as it aims to get the Games for the second time, following 1964. The Japanese stressed compact Games and the latest technology in a presentation which came across livelier than Chicago's.
Rio then pleaded more than sun and samba, a major legacy for the next generation in a country catching up rapidly with the top economic powers in the world.
"Brazil is ready, Rio is ready to host Games of certainty, celebration and transformation," said the nation's Olympic supremo Carlos Arthur Nuzman.
Mayor Eduardo Paes said that hosting the 2014 World Cup was no disadvantage, but that it is rather "our aim to use the World Cup as a springboard to greatest possible Games in 2016."
Responding to further IOC scepticism whether Rio could really deliver, Lula said that "Brazil has learnt to abide by its commitments.
"We need to prove every day to the world that Brazil has decided to transform itself into a developed nation."
Two IOC members were not in Copenhagen. Alpha Ibrahim Diallo of Guinea did not make it, reportedly due to the unrest in his country. Sako Koivu of Finland is absent because he is playing an NHL Game.
As a result, only 103 IOC members are present and 95 voting in the first round of the ballot set for later Friday.
The seven IOC members from the four countries are not allowed to vote in the opening round, South Korean Kun Hee Lee is suspended from the IOC and Rogge does not vote.
President Obama had arrived earlier Friday in the Danish capital, for a whirlwind visit before returning to the US, while Michelle Obama came on Wednesday for final lobbying. The president met Queen Margrethe and Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen before his departure.
