Obama sends message supporting Chicago Olympic bid
ISTANBUL | Plays video from Obama touting Chicago Olympics
Chicago played its trump card Friday in the bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. His name is Barack Obama.
In Istanbul, Turkey Mayor Daley introduced a one-minute and 15-second video of the president-elect making a personal appeal for his hometown during a presentation to the general assembly of the European Olympic Committees.
(AP)
“While I am unable to be there in person, I wanted to take this opportunity to speak with you because I deeply believe in the Olympic movement and have long supported hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in my home city of Chicago,” Obama said in the message taped last week.
Playing to the heart strings of International Olympic Committee members in the audience, Obama noted that he had “spoken often” during his two-year campaign about the values of “friendship, excellence and mutual respect” at the heart of the Olympic movement.
“While we may come from different places and backgrounds, there are certain shared values that unite us…My administration will bring a fresh perspective on America’s role and responsibilities around the world. But if we are to truly meet our shared challenges, we must all work together. By uniting the world in a peaceful celebration of human achievement, the Olympic Games reminds us that this is possible,” he said.
“The United States would be honored to have the opportunity to host the Games and serve the Olympic movement. As president-elect, I see the Olympic and Paralymic Games as an opportunity for our nation to reach out, welcome the world to our shores and strengthen our friendships across the globe.Ó
The International Olympic Committee is divided into five regions. There are more IOC members at the European meeting than at any of the other regions. Sixty votes are needed to win.
On the day after Obama became the first African-American to be elected U.S. president, Daley gushed about using Obama's superstar status on the world stage to carry Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid over the goal line.
ÒYou can bring your Olympics . . . [only] so far. Your prime minister [or] your president has to then carry the football,Ó the mayor said on that day.
On Friday, Obama got a running start.
Not only did the president-elect take time out of his busy transition schedule to tape the video played in Istanbul.
Pictures of Obama highlighted Chicago's 20-minute presentation to the European Olympic Committee. They included a photograph of that balmy and magical night in Grant Park when Obama delivered his acceptance speech before a sea of adoring faces.
In a telephone interview from Istanbul earlier this week, Chicago 2016 Chairman Pat Ryan talked about the Obama effect and its impact on Chicago’s European pitch.
“The Obama election has been helpful in that it’s putting a very bright spotlight on Chicago. The acceptance speech in Grant Park, the multi-culturalism and passion of the people, the oustanding acceptance speech resonated around the world. The fact that President-elect Obama is managing the transition from Chicago continues to put a spotlight on Chicago,” Ryan said.
The IOC will meet in Coopenhagen on Oct. 2, 2009 to choose between Chicago, Tokyo, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro. Barring unforseen circumstances, Ryan said he had “reason to believe” Obama will be in Coopenhagen to help Chicago seal the deal.
Chicagoan Valerie Jarrett, vice-chairman of Chicago 2016, was recently asked to join the Obama administration as White House senior adviser and assistant to the president for intergovernmental relations and public liaison.
“He’s been so very supportive of our bid since the early days of our domestic competition,” Ryan said, pointing to the video made by then-Illinois Senator Barack Obama.
At a Daley Center rally in June to celebrate Chicago being named an Olympic finalist, Obama told a cheering crowd he was looking forward to opening the 2016 Games as president at a temporary Olympic stadium in Washington Park within walking distance of his Kenwood home.
“In 2016, I'll be wrapping up my second term as president. I can't think of a better way than to be marching into Washington Park alongside Mayor Daley . . . as president of the United States and announcing to the world, 'Let the games begin,' '' Obama said then.