September 27 - Members of the the team that will present Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympics today completed their final off-site rehearsals before heading to Copenhagen.


Led by Patrick Ryan, the chief executive and chairman of Chicago 2016, the team rehearsed at the Kongebrogaarden Hotel in Jutland in Western Denmark.

The location was chosen for its beauty, hospitality and proximity to the Danish capital, where Chicago will on Friday (October 2) join rivals Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo in hoping to be chosen to follow London 2012.

Each city has an hour to make its presentation to the members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Among the Chicago 2016 Presentation Team members participating in the rehearsals were Ryan, IOC member Anita DeFrantz, and United States Olympic Committee first vice president, International Bob Ctvrtlik.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley will join the final rehearsals in Copenhagen.
 
The final team, which could still include United States President Barack Obama, will be announced later this week.

Ryan said: "We extend our appreciation to our friends in Jutland, who were extremely generous in providing us with a warm, welcoming environment for these important rehearsals.

"Our goal was to prepare in a relaxed environment that allowed for maximum collaboration and teamwork, and that is exactly what we found in Jutland.
 
“Our team now transitions from Jutland to Copenhagen with energy and enthusiasm, excited to share Chicago’s vision for hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games with members of the International Olympic Committee."