President Barack Obama will join the United States' delegation in Copenhagen this week in an effort to help Chicago land the 2016 Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee will vote to select a host city on October 2. The finalists in competition with Chicago are Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo.

First Lady Michelle Obama is leading the U.S. contingent and is slated to arrive in Copenhagen on Wednesday. The President is set to arrive on Friday morning and is expected to leave later that day.

"We could not be more pleased to welcome President Barack Obama to our delegation for the IOC selection of the host city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games," said USOC Chairman Larry Probst in a statement. "His attendance -- along with that of First Lady Michelle Obama, Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett and other key members of his staff -- speaks volumes regarding his administration's unprecedented support for this bid and for the worldwide Olympic Movement."

According to the White House, the President and First Lady will both make presentations to the IOC during Friday's session.

The close ties the Obamas have to Chicago could be a difference maker. The President 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. Mrs. Obama was born and grew up on the South Side of Chicago.

"The Olympic and Paralympic Games bring the world together for the peaceful pursuit of excellence, and in the spirit of international outreach and solidarity," Probst added. "These principles are perfectly aligned with the vision of the Obama Administration and our country's ideals. The USOC extends our sincere appreciation to President Obama and his staff for their unwavering support to bring the Games back to America and to Chicago in 2016."

President Obama had indicated that he would not travel to Copenhagen because of his priority to pass health care reform in the United States.

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