Chicago say they can deliver, Rio brim with confidence
by Pirate Irwin
LAUSANNE, Switzerland -Chicago bid chief Pat Ryan admitted he was inspired by US President Barack Obama's world-famous campaign catchphrase of 'yes we can' as the city tried to woo Olympic chiefs and win the right to host the 2016 Games.

Ryan was speaking Wednesday after he and his team had been through an arduous presentation and question and answer session with 93 members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Whilst Chicago remained businesslike, Rio de Janeiro emerged smiling from ear to ear with their bid secretary-general Carlos Osorio declaring they were very confident of bringing the Games to South America for the first time ever.

Both the other candidates Tokyo - the only one of the candidates to have already hosted the Games - and Madrid declared themselves happy with their presentations.

All four cities will learn their fate in Copenhagen on October 2.

"During the presidential campaign Obama used the theme of hope in the phrase 'yes we can'," said Ryan, who was accompanied at the presentation by, among others, Chicago mayor and long-time friend Richard M Daley.

"We've adapted our slogan to 'yes we will'.

"We will deliver an extraordinary Games, we will make a lasting impact."

However, Ryan was at pains to say that whilst the bid enjoyed enormous support from the White House - President Obama is a former senator for Illinois - that alone would not decide who came out on top.

"We don't say that Barack Obama will win it for us," said Ryan, founder of the huge insurance company AON which recently signed a multi-million pound sponsorship deal with English football giants Manchester United.

"His support has been very pleasant."

There was a video during the presentation by Valerie Jarrett, a close advisor to the President and who announced that as a further commitment to the bid they had installed a permanent White House office for the Paralympic and Olympic sports.

Ryan also addressed the issue which has been hanging over the bid. The IOC have been worried that unlike the other three candidates there would be no government bail-out should a Chicago Games fail to make a profit, and the IOC would be left to pick up the bill.

"We have developed a new model of public and private partnership," added Ryan.

"This a unique model and responsive to the present times of financial uncertainty.

"This could raise as much as two billion dollars. I believe we have a responsible budget."

The one blip on the presentation was the presence again of protesters from Chicago, who held an impromptu press conference just outside the building and distributed a large booklet full of press cuttings highlighting their concerns.

Osorio was adamant that Rio de Janeiro possessed the financial guarantees that could enable them to start work from day one should they win.

"It will ensure we can fully work on those magical things that are the Games without having to chase the pennies," he said.

Tokyo, by contrast, had no such worries as they followed Chicago into the bear pit of the IOC members.

Tsunekazu Takeda, President of the Japanese Olympic Committee, was delighted with the way it had went.

"I am very satisfied," said Tadeka, a two-time Olympic show jumper.

"There were 20 questions, with no particular emphasis on a specific subject.

"We have improved our presentation each time and we will continue our best efforts to the end."

Madrid like Tokyo was aided by a video from their Prime Minister - Brazil's President Lula also appeared on video.

"We are very happy but it is still a long way to Copenhagen," said Spain's bid chief leader, former women's hockey gold medalist Mercedes Coghen.