IOC Pres: Obama Visit "Not A Requirment"

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Sep 17, 2009 5:40PM

As it becomes more and more likely that President Obama won't be making that trip to Copenhagen in early October to support the Chicago 2016 bid, some have speculated his absence will hurt the bid's chances. Not so, according to IOC president Jacques Rogge, who said that appearances by heads of state are welcome but, "absolutely not a requirement of the IOC." [Tribune]