U.S. President, Chicago Present to IOC

(ATR) President Barack Obama stood up for his hometown of Chicago in the bid city's presentation to the International Olympic Committee.

"I urge you to choose Chicago, I urge you to choose America," Obama said. "If you do, we walk this path together. I promise you this, the city of Chicago and the United States of America will make the world proud."

Obama arrived in Copenhagen just before the presentation.

"To host athletes and visitors from all corners of the globe is a great honor and a great responsibility and America is ready and eager to assume that sacred trust," Obama said.

The First Lady, Michelle Obama, gave an emotional speech in which she talked about her late father, who suffered from multiple sclerosis but still "showed me how to throw a ball and a mean right hook better than any boy in the neighborhood."

She said sports taught her "self-confidence, teamwork and how to compete as an equal."

Chicago bid chief Patrick Ryan emphasized that the city is the "right partner for the Olympic Movement right now.

IOC member Anita DeFrantz kicked off the U.S. presentation.

"Chicago is in the heart of the country and the Games will be staged in the heart of the city," she said.

USOC chairman Larry Probst made a personal commitment to ever IOC member to "build a partnership between us that advances the cause of Olympic and Paralympic sport on a renewed foundation of friendship and trust."

Mayor Richard M. Daley then old a story about Jesse Owens and Ralph Metcalfe, African Americans from Chicago who competed in the 1936 Olympics.

"I pledge to you today that Chicago will deliver," Daley said, "because in Chicago, we don't just talk about what we will do, we do it."

He also pointed out that the city had gotten a full government guarantee.

Doug Arnot, the bid's operations guru, talked the Games' legacy, including the World Sport Chicago program for youth.

"We know that concrete and steel do not build sport," he said. "People build sport."

Decathlon gold medalist Bryan Clay and Paralympian Linda Mastandrea discussed the venue and village plan.

Chicago will "fill the stadiums with ahometown cheering section for all the athletes," Clay said.

Speaking to reporters following the presentation, Mr. Obama said he was happy with the message Chicago delivered.

"I think Chicago could not have made a better prewentation. Obviously now it’s up to the IOC members. We are just grateful for the incredible hospitality. We’re proud of Pat Ryan, the mayor and my whole crew. The only thing I’m upset about is they arranged for me to follow Michelle. That’s always bad," he said.

After the presentation, Daley said at the press conference, "It wasn't just the words we were saying, it was the passion and emotion. There was a story to be told and we all told the story in a very passionate and a very personal way and a very emotional way, too."

Written by Karen Rosen.