Obama to fly to Copenhagen to support Chicago

US President Barack Obama will fly to Copenhagen on Friday to support Chicago's bid to stage the 2016 Summer Olympics, officials said yesterday.

A personal appearance by Obama, the first by a sitting US president at an Olympic session, could potentially play a crucial role in swaying votes by International Olympic Committee (IOC) members who must choose between Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.

Each of the cities will make a presentation on Friday in the Danish capital to the IOC membership who will then cast their votes the same day. The IOC has 115 members.

The contest has been seen by Olympic observers as one of the closest ever with no clear front runner and all four bids capable of succeeding.

Victory brings not only the Summer Games but enormous prestige, a public relations boost and potential economic and development benefits.

First Lady Michelle Obama will be part of the Chicago delegation in Copenhagen lobbying for the Windy City. Her husband will fly in early on the day of the vote and go straight from Copenhagen airport in a 24-car convoy to the Bella Convention Centre where he will make an entry with his wife into the IOC session.

The other three candidates will also be bringing their most senior officials. Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva will be part of the Rio team, King Juan Carlos of Spain will back Madrid's bid and newly elected Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama will support Tokyo.