Obama loves Copenhagen

President Barack Obama loves Copenhagen. He has just left the city with First Lady Michelle Obama. They were in Copenhagen Friday 2 October 2009 to support Chicago's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

President Barack Obama loves Copenhagen. He told the press during his visit in Copenhagen in support of Chicago's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games at the 121st International Olympic Committee (IOC) session.

"Michelle has been so thrilled to have been interacting with the people of Denmark. Unfortunately my stay has not been so long, but I hope I'll be able to return. I have been here before, and I love this city!" Barack Obama told the press and Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

IOC members met in Copenhagen to elect the host city for the 2016 Olympics. Chicago, Tokyo, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro were among the candidate cities. Rio de Janeiro was elected, which was announced through a live public broadcast at Copenhagen's City Hall Square Friday 2 October 2009. Obama later congratulated Rio. 

Obamas spoke on behalf of Chicago 

President Obama joined First Lady Michelle Obama in Copenhagen Friday 2 October early in the morning, prior to Chicago's presentation to the voting members of the IOC. They departed Copenhagen later the same day at 13:00.

Michelle Obama, who led the United States delegation to Copenhagen, arrived in Copenhagen Wednesday 30 September. President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama both spoke to the IOC members during Friday's session on behalf of Chicago.

While in Denmark, they also met with Danish Queen Margrethe, Prince Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary.

More prominent guests

Other prominent guests in Copenhagen for the IOC session were Oprah Winfrey from Chicago, President Lula da Silva from Brazil, former footballer Pelé also from Brazil, Spanish King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia as well as Crown Prince Naruhito from Japan.