Leaders from the United States Olympic Committee stated Thursday they are hoping President Barack Obama will join the American organization in Copenhagen next month to enhance Chicago's chances at landing the 2016 Summer Games.

Tokyo, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro are also bidding for the 2016 Games. The International Olympic Committee will announce which city will win the bid on October 2 in Denmark.

Chicago took a big step Wednesday when its city council unanimously approved Mayor Richard Daley to sign the IOC's host city contract, which means taxpayers would be responsible for fitting the bill on cost overruns. Chicago was the last of the four bid cities to approve such a guarantee.

Now the focus is swaying President Obama to take a slice out of his busy schedule to fly to Copenhagen in a time where he's fighting for sweeping changes to the country's healthcare program.

"I think it would be significant and I think it would be important. We hope he's there to enhance the Chicago 2016 bid," said USOC chairman Larry Probst. "I can't speak on behalf of the president, but the USOC, Mayor Daley and everyone involved in 2016, we have all clearly communicated that President Obama's presence would sincerely assist the bid. We would like to have him with us. I think if and when he makes the decision the appropriate accommodation will be made."

No word has come from the White House if President Obama will attend, but an announcement could come next week.

Obama's close ties to Chicago could be a difference maker. He worked as a civil rights attorney in the Windy City before going into politics and spent four years as a U.S. Senator prior to winning the presidency in 2008.

Past leaders have been called on to close deals to land the Olympics in their home countries. Tony Blair did it for London for the 2012 Games and Vladimir Putin came before the IOC to seal Russia's winning bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

"We would love for him to be there and we feel it will make a difference," said USOC acting CEO Stephanie Streeter. "We've made it clear to him. He's been a supporter of the bid. He sent four taped messages (to the IOC). We'd love to have him there."

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