Four years ago British prime minister Tony Blair helped persuade the IOC to choose London over favourites Paris for the right to host the 2012 Games. Two years later Russian president Vladimir Putin was equally as prominent when Sochi, rank outsiders in the bid to stage the 2014 Winter Olympics, also won against the odds.
Obama had originally opted to stay at home to deal with his health care reform plans. However both the president and his wife will now be part of the team making the presentation to the IOC membership on Friday.
The four cities bidding for the right to host the 2016 Summer Olympics began three intensive days of lobbying yesterday ahead of Friday's vote by the IOC.
Before the announcement of Obama's visit, specialist Olympic website Around the Rings rated Rio as marginal favourites over Chicago. The “Obama factor” has now believed to have tipped the odds in Chicago's favour.
