The Final Olympic Bid Push

SI Staff | Oct 2, 2009

The Final Olympic Bid Push

Michelle Obama

Frank Fife/AFP/Getty Images

With the decision on which city will host the 2016 Olympics coming Friday, the four finalists -- Madrid, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and Chicago -- have been pulling out all the stops, including sending notable locals to the IOC meeting in Copenhagen. Here's a few famous faces who have popped up.

Michael Johnson

AP

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

Frank Fife/AFP/Getty Images

The Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Brazil wants to "show that the world that yes we can, we can do it," when making one last plea for his country to get the bid.

Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon

AP

Madrid mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon told reporters he was feeling nervous about his city's chances at the 2016 bid.

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia

AP

Oprah

AP

The television talk show host perhaps gained the most attention in Copenhagen. According to reports, even the secretary of the head of the Rio de Janeiro bid stopped for a picture with her.

Nadia Comaneci

AP

David Robinson

Pele

AFP/Getty Images

If Chicago had Oprah, Rio de Janeiro had one of the best soccer players to ever put a pair of cleats on. Pele posed with everyone from schoolchildren to board members.

Cesar Cielo

Olivier Moran/Getty Images

The Brazilian swimmer promised a new generation of Brazilians was set to welcome the world to his country.

Dikembe Mutombo

AP

The retired NBA star flew over to Copenhagen with David Robinson, taking time to pose with passengers at the airport as well as in Denmark.

Governor Shintaro Ishihara

AP

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

AP

Brandi Chastain, Nastia Liukin, Michael Johnson

AP

What do you get when you put a retired soccer star, a retired track star and a gold-medalist Olympian in a fun run?

Yu Miyahara and Ayuka Tanioka

Olivier Moran/Getty Images

Japanese table tennis players Yu Miyahara and Ayuka Tanioka touch a globe during a press conference in Copenhagen.