President Obama wrapped up a whirlwind, 5-hour visit to Denmark today after he and First Lady Michelle Obama made their sales pitch to the International Olympics Committee in Copenhagen today, telling the panel that Chicago is a beautiful, diverse, and safe city.

“I was born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, not far from where the Games would open and close,’’ Mrs. Obama said.

"Sports were a gift that I shared with my dad. Especially the Olympic games. Some of my best memories were sitting on my dad’s lap, cheering on Olga and Nadia, Carl Lewis and others for their brilliance and
perfection. Like so many young people I was inspired.

“I found myself dreaming that maybe, just maybe if I worked hard enough, I, too, could achieve something great. But I never dreamed that the Olympic flame might one day light up lives in my
neighborhood. But today I can dream. And I am dreaming of an Olympic and Paralympic games in Chicago that will light up lives and neighborhoods all across America and all across the world.’’

Her voice quavered as she spoke about how her late dad would have loved seeing the games in Chicago and noted that he suffered from Multiple Sclerosis:

“Even as we watched my dad struggle to hold himself up on crutches, he never
stopped playing with us. And he refused to let us take our abilities for granted. He believed that his little girl should be taught no less than his son. So he taught me how to throw a ball and a mean right
hook better than any boy in our neighborhood. ‘’

“My dad was my hero,’’ she added. “And when I think of what these
Games can mean to people all over the world, I think about people like
my dad: people who face seemingly insurmountable challenges …’’

President Obama, who'd arrived in Denmark just an hour earlier after a fed-eye from DC, wrapped up the U.S. pitch in the competition against bids from Madrid, Rio and Tokyo.

"Nearly one year ago, on a clear November night, people from every corner of the world gathered in the city of Chicago or in front of their televisions to watch the results of the U.S. Presidential
election.  Their interest wasn’t about me as an individual.  Rather, it was rooted in the belief that America’s experiment in democracy still speaks to a set of universal aspirations and ideals.  Their
interest sprung from the hope that in this ever-shrinking world, our diversity could be a source of strength , a  cause for celebration; and that with sustained work and determination, we could learn to live
and prosper together during the fleeting moment we share on this earth.’’

In a question and answer session with the committee, Obama pledged the “full force of the White House and the State Department to make sure not only that these are successful Games but
that visitors all around the world will feel welcome and will come away with a sense of the incredible diversity of the American people."

Afterward, Obama headed to Chrstiansborg Palace to meet with Queen Margrethe II and Prince Consort Henrik. He was also to meet with Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.