(BEIJING, January 8) -- Chicago has the support of U.S. President George W. Bush with regard to the city's bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, reported Xinhua News Agency on Monday.
Bush met with officials from the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Chicago 2016 Committee Monday in Chicago to discuss the details of the bid and expressed his support afterwards.
"The United States of America stands squarely behind Chicago's bid," Bush was quoted as saying.
USOC spokesman Darryl Seibel said that for IOC members, a government's support of their nation's Olympic bid is extremely important. He cited the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Games as an example, where the federal government provided support in terms of security.
"Support from the federal government is very important," Seibel was quoted as saying. "We appreciate the president taking the time today to learn more about the bid and express on behalf of the federal government its support of the bid."
Chicago will be up against Madrid, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, Prague, Doha and Baku in the bid for the privilege to be host to the 2016 Summer Games.
