The first lady, Michelle Obama, will be a key speaker for Chicago 2016 at the final, and vital, presentation to the IOC members in Copenhagen on Friday morning (445pm AEST).

We can reveal Mrs Obama will join her husband Barack on stage in the last ditch effort to snare votes before the 105 IOC members decide in a secret ballot between Madrid, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and the Obama’s home town of Chicago, as the host city in 2016.

Michelle Obama arrived in Copenhagen Wednesday where she will mingle with the IOC members and also meet many of them one on one to push Chicago’s prospects.

"I'm so happy to be here, so excited," Mrs Obama said.

"We've got a lot of work to do. We're not taking anything for granted, so I'm going to go talk to some voters."

The US President will not arrive in Copenhagen till just before the final presentation and won’t have an opportunity to meet and greet the IOC members.

Chicago 2016 is counting on his charisma but also the “pulling power” of his wife who is extremely popular especially with women.

Not to be outdone, King Juan Carlos of Spain is also in Copenhagen supporting Madrid. Brazil’s President and the new Japanese Prime Minister are due anytime.

The tension between the four bid cities is evident.

The IOC has taken over all eleven floors of the Marriott Hotel and lobbying for votes is well underway.

Rio has complained to the IOC Ethics Committee about a comment from Chicago Mayor Richard Daley which suggested Rio is not capable of hosting an Olympic Games.

Under the rules bid cities are not permitted to criticise their opponents.

The Rio Team is determined to become the first South American city to win the honour of hosting the Olympics and filed an official complaint.

Chicago has denied the comment was made saying Mayor Daley was misinterpreted.

Mike Tancred – AOC
Copenhagen