U.S. President Barack Obama heads to Copenhagen later Thursday to join his wife in lobbying for Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Mr. Obama is scheduled to arrive in the Danish capital early Friday, in time to make a presentation to the voting members of the International Olympic Committee. First lady Michelle Obama is already in Copenhagen making the pitch for the Illinois city.
The IOC votes Friday on which finalist city - Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro or Tokyo - will host the games.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is making the case for Rio, while Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is lobbying on behalf of Tokyo. Spain sent two special envoys to Copenhagen - King Juan Carlos and Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
U.S. talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who tapes her popular television show in Chicago, is also in Denmark to lobby for Chicago.
While in Copenhagen, President and Mrs. Obama will meet with Queen Margrethe. The president will also meet with Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen. Mr. Obama is expected back in Washington Friday afternoon.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
