Chicago count on Obama oratory to seal 2016 Games

Barely one hour after Air Force One had touched down at Copenhagen airport US President Barack Obama was standing before the International Olympic Committee explaining why the 2016 Games should be held in his hometown of Chicago.

Obama took to the floor at the Bella Center at the end of Chicago's presentation after his wife, Michelle, had delivered an intensely personal and emotional speech describing how proud her father, a multiple sclerosis sufferer, would have been to have the Games coming to Chicago.

At the end of her speech in which she spoke about the ability of the Games to transform the First Lady looked out at the IOC rank and file and said: "I have brought somebody who knows something about change, the President, Barack Obama."

After a brief embrace her husband took to the floor to give what the Chicago bid team hoped would be a performance that would seal the Games for their city.

He opened his five minute address by telling the 121st IOC Session: "I come here today as a passionate supporter of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and I come as a faithful representative of the American people.

"I know you face a difficult choice among some great cities but I come here today to urge you to chose Chicago for the same reason why I chose Chicago 25 years ago.

"The reason why I fell in love with the city was not just for the woman I fell in love with.

"Growing up my family moved around a lot...I never really had roots in one place - then I came to Chicago and worked with people black and white, with every class and religion - Chicago is the most American of American cities, with citizens of 130 nations - a rich tapestry.

"Each person is part of one city, Chicago is a place where unity is on colourful display, where perfect strangers become fast friends - a city that works.

"It's a buzzling metropolis with the warmth of a small town."

Chicago, according to Obama, was a city that knew how to stage major events.

"Scores of visitors and spectators will tell you that we do it well as it's a place where the practical and inspirational exist in line."

"We reach a dream no matter who we are or where we come from - with hard work, discipline, and education we can make it work, that's the essence of the Olympic spirit.

He then asked the IOC electorate to cast their minds back "nearly one year ago to a clear November night when people gathered to watch the results of the US presidential election".

"Their interest was not about me as an individual," he insisted, "but rooted in the idea of democracy.

"Interest sprung from hope that in this ever-shrinking world our diversity could be a cause for strength and inspiration."

Concluding, Obama told his captive audience: "To host athletes from every corner of the globe is a high honour and America is ready to assume that trust - to ignite the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic movement for a new generation.

"And so I urge you to choose Chicago, to choose America and if you do and we walk this path together then I promise you the city of Chicago and the United States will make the world proud.

"There is nothing I would like more than to step a few blocks from my family home to welcome the world back into our neighbourhood."

With that, after taking a question from the floor, he walked hand in hand with his wife out of the auditorium to be whisked off to the airport and the waiting Air Force One for the flight home.

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