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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Prez May Skip Trip to Pitch Chicago Olympics

IOC chief says there's no clear favorite ahead of next month's vote on 2016

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(Newser) – President Obama is keeping the team behind Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics guessing on whether he'll head to Copenhagen to personally address the International Olympic Committee before members make their choice next month, the Chicago Tribune reports. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says he isn't aware of any travel plans for the president, but aides stress no final decision has been made.

Madrid, Rio, and Tokyo are Chicago's rivals for the 2016 Games and their heads of state plan to travel to Copenhagen for the October 2 vote. "There is no favorite. There is no bid that is lagging behind," IOC president Jacques Rogge tells the AP. "All the scenarios are possible." The presence of national leaders isn't a factor in the voting, he added. Obama, a firm supporter of Chicago's bid, is expected to address the IOC by videolink if he can't make it in person.

Chicago Alderman James A. Balcer holds up an
Chicago Alderman James A. Balcer holds up an "I Back The Bid" t-shirt as he speaks before the city council votes to approve the Olympic host city contrac in Chicago earlier this week.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
A member of the Chicago 2016 delegation speaks to the press during a exhibition for IOC members in Switzerland.
A member of the Chicago 2016 delegation speaks to the press during a exhibition for IOC members in Switzerland.   (AP Photo/KEYSTONE/Dominic Favre)
Chicago 2016 leader Patrick Ryan speaks at a news conference in Chicago.
Chicago 2016 leader Patrick Ryan speaks at a news conference in Chicago.   (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
A Chicago 2016 Olympics flag flies near an American flag in Chicago.
A Chicago 2016 Olympics flag flies near an American flag in Chicago.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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yellowjeep
Sep 11, 09 3:00 AM CDT
I really hope that Chicago gets the bid. Its a great city and I would for sure go to this to watch the cycling events. I wonder if they would build a new velodrome or renovate Kenosha. I would imagine a velodrome somewhere in the city propper would get a fair amount of use after the games. /pipe dream Reply
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