WASHINGTON � President Barack Obama staged a homecoming-style Olympic rally at the White House Wednesday, saying the whole country is rooting for his hometown of Chicago in its efforts to host the 2016 Summer Games.

�Chicago is ready. The American people are ready.We want these games,� he said to applause.
�If you choose Chicago, I promise you this � Chicago will make America proud, and America will make the world proud,� Obama added.
The International Olympic Committee will choose a host city during an Oct. 2 meeting in Copenhagen. Obama will not attend the meetings, instead sending first lady Michelle Obama to lead the U.S. delegation.
Chicago is in a tough competition with Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo. In recent years, heads of state have traveled to the IOC meetings to help seal the deal � such as Tony Blair for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and Vladimir Putin for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
�I would make the case in Copenhagen personally,� were it not for his quest for health care reform, Obama said. �But the good news is I�m sending a more compelling superstar to represent the city and country we love, and that is our first lady, Michelle Obama.�
The first lady didn�t return the kudos, describing the president�s dabbling in some of the Olympic sports before the event.
�You should have seen the president in there fencing,� she said to laughter, as Obama stuck out his arm in a mock fencing move. �It was pathetic. But he passed the baton really well.�
Obama said that while he loves Washington, Chicago has been his home for nearly 25 years. He called it a �city of broad shoulders and big hearts and bold dreams, a city of legendary sports figures, legendary sports venues, and legendary sports fans.�
The Obamas appeared with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and a host of Olympic athletes, some of whom staged demonstrations on the South Lawn.