Obama Touts Chicago's 2016 Olympics Bid

Barack Obama made a surprise appearance today in a video address to the International Olympic Committee, pushing Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Summer Games, the Tribune reports. The video, shepherded to Istanbul by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, showed Obama talking about his belief “in the Olympic movement,” and how he has “long supported hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in my home city.”

The video appeared to be a hit” “I think it was very dramatic,” a European Olympic official said. “Everyone in the room was impressed, and it added a great deal of spice to the Chicago presentation.” Chicago is competing with Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, and Madrid, but Obama’s newfound influence could push the Windy City to the fore.