Michelle Obama and former Olympic gymnast Nadia Comaneci.Today, Michelle Obama will attend a lunch hosted by Denmark's Queen Margrethe II. At 1 pm, she'll attend the IOC opening ceremonies and at 3:30 pm, she'll meet with IOC President Jacques Rogge. Obama leaves for Copenhagen tonight:
Two of Chicago's heaviest hitters arrived Wednesday, and first lady Michelle Obama wasted no time in captivating some of the International Olympic Committee members who will decide a 2016 Summer Olympic host-city race considered too close to call.
As she passed through the lobby of the Copenhagen Marriott, where the IOC members are staying, she gave two thumbs up and a hug to one of the first members she encountered, Nicole Hoevertsz of Aruba.
Not only that, Hoevertsz said later, but the first lady congratulated her on having been named Tuesday as secretary to Aruba's council of ministers.
It is that sort of preparation and attention to detail as much as the case she makes for her city that the Chicago 2016 bid committee hopes will make her a key player in Copenhagen. The second big name to arrive Wednesday, Oprah Winfrey, also hopes to influence the IOC's voting, which she called "a decision that could be a landmark in Chicago history."
On Friday, the IOC will choose Chicago, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo or Madrid. Read the rest at the Chicago Tribune
