Reservation, please. Chicago 2016 still waiting to hear if Obama will go to Copenhagen

Obama could help Chicago _ if he goes for IOC vote

CHICAGO — Chicago 2016 officials are still waiting to hear if President Barack Obama will join them in Denmark, and say his presence could be “very helpful” in their efforts to bring the Summer Olympics back to the United States for the first time in 20 years.

The International Olympic Committee will pick a host city Oct. 2. Chicago is in a tight contest with Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo for the 2016 Olympics.

Brazil’s president has already said he’ll be in Copenhagen, as has Spain’s king. In 2005, Tony Blair was instrumental in helping London land the 2012 Games when he traveled to Singapore to meet with IOC members. Vladimir Putin traveled to Guatemala City in 2007 to push Sochi’s winning bid for the 2014 Winter Games.

Ryan also says Chicago 2016 would welcome Oprah Winfrey and Michael Jordan, both of whom have publicly supported the bid.