International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge expects the race for the 2016 Olympics to be decided by "a couple of votes" and says Chicago's chances won't hinge on whether President Barack Obama shows up for the vote.

Rogge told The Associated Press there is no favourite going into the Oct. 2 vote in Copenhagen.

The finalists are Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo. Rogge said on Thursday: "I think the final vote will be decided by a couple of votes only."

Rogge says he doesn't know whether Obama will appear in Copenhagen. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and King Juan Carlos of Spain will be there.

Rogge says heads of state aren't obliged to attend. He says if Obama doesn't go, "we wouldn't see that as being negative whatsoever."

AP