An image provided by the US Olympic Committee shows the official 2016 US Olympic Committee Applicant City logo (File)

President Barack Obama has taped a personal message of support for Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The video was shown Tuesday during a presentation by Chicago's bid organizers to the Association of National Olympic committees of Africa in Abuja, Nigeria.

In the message, Mr. Obama said the Olympics offer America the chance to "reach out and renew our bonds of friendship around the world, to welcome the world to our shores with open arms."

The president also said his government is committed to helping Chicago host a "great and historic games" and strengthening the Olympic movement worldwide.

Organizers from candidate cities Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo are also making presentations.  The International Olympic Committee will choose a host on October 2.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.