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Final push for Olympic city candidates

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The International Olympic Committee is just two days away from selecting the 2016 Olympic host city from among four finalists — Chicago, Tokyo, Madrid, and Rio de Janeiro. President Obama himself is scheduled to fly into Copenhagen to make a bid for his home city Chicago on Friday. Anchor Jeb Sharp has more.

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JEB SHARP: Chinese creativity was on vivid display last year when China played proud host to the Beijing Olympics.  London will be the next summer Olympic host in 2012 but this week is the time to pick the host city for the 2016 summer Olympic Games.  The International Olympic Committee is due to announce its choice on Friday in Copenhagen.  The four finalists are Tokyo, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Chicago.  And they’re getting awfully creative in their last minute attempts to be selected. Tokyo appears to be taken the sweat and endurance approach.  Its Olympic ambassador is in Copenhagen after literally running and sailing around the world to promote his city’s bid.  And today, Tokyo’s bid chief stood on stage with nine former Japanese Olympians and Para Olympians to talk about their city’s safety record and the compactness of the proposed Olympic area.  Tomorrow, Japan’s new Prime Minister, Yukio Hatoyama, shows up for the final push.  Rio de Janeiro has soccer legend, Pele, charming the deciders in Copenhagen. His strategy seems to be this isn’t just about Brazil, it’s geographic justice.

PELE:  To bring the game to South America not only for Brazil, for whole South America, to take the kids from the drugs, from the street, that is the reason I think that South America deserve to have the Olympic games.

SHARP:  Pele’s getting help from Brazilian president, Luis Ignacio Lula de Silva.  He arrived in Copenhagen today just after a dust up between Rio and another Olympic host city contender.  The Brazilians were upset after an official from rival Madrid called Rio the worst of the four bids. Just in time, Spain’s King Juan Carlos arrived today to smooth things over and finally there’s the Chicago charm offensive or charm assault.  First Lady Michelle Obama is already in Copenhagen to talk up her hometown, so are Chicago mayor Richard Daily and Oprah.  The ultimate Olympic pitchman for the windy city, President Obama, arrives on Friday.

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