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President Obama to go to Copenhagen, Denmark to support the Chicago bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paraylmpic Games

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by USOC/White House

U.S. Olympic Committee announcement

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. - The White House announced today that President Barack Obama will travel to Copenhagen, Denmark, to support the Chicago bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He will join First Lady Michelle Obama and Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama and head of the White House Office on Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport.

"We could not be more pleased to welcome President Barack Obama to our delegation for the IOC selection of the host city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. His attendance - along with that of First Lady Michelle Obama, Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett and other key members of his staff - speaks volumes regarding his administration's unprecedented support for this bid and for the worldwide Olympic Movement.

"The Olympic and Paralympic Games bring the world together for the peaceful pursuit of excellence, and in the spirit of international outreach and solidarity. These principles are perfectly aligned with the vision of the Obama Administration and our country's ideals. The USOC extends our sincere appreciation to President Obama and his staff for their unwavering support to bring the Games back to America and to Chicago in 2016."

- Larry Probst, USOC Chairman

White House announcement

President Barack Obama to Travel to Copenhagen

President will join the First Lady to Support Chicago's Bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games

WASHINGTON - Today, the White House announced that President Barack Obama will travel to Copenhagen, Denmark to support Chicago's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games at the 121st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session. On Friday, October 2nd, IOC members will elect the host city for the 2016 Summer Games.

President Obama will join First Lady Michelle Obama, who will be leading the United States delegation to Copenhagen. Mrs. Obama will arrive in Copenhagen on Wednesday, September 30, along with Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama and head of the White House Office on Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport.

President Obama will depart Washington on the evening of Thursday, October 1 and arrive in Copenhagen on the morning of October 2 local time, just prior to Chicago's presentation to the voting members of the IOC. He will arrive back in Washington on Friday afternoon.

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will both make presentations to the IOC during Friday's session. They will discuss why Chicago is best to host the 2016 Summer Games, and how the United States is eager to bring the world together to celebrate the ideals of the Olympic movement.

While in Denmark, the President and First Lady will meet with Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness, the Prince Consort. President Obama will also meet with Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

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