Heads Of States From four Bid Cities To Attend 2016 Election

The heads of states from Japan, Brazil, the United States and Spain will attend an International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting next October in Copenhagen where the selection of the host city - Tokyo, Chicago, Madrid or Rio de Janeiro - will be made.

Bid leaders from the four cities said Saturday in Beijing they enjoyed full support from their governments.

Tokyo 2016 head Ichiro Kono told reporters, "our head of state is an honorary advisor to our committee. Of course we will be there and we can enjoy his support".

Chicago is reportedly counting on the support of the new U.S. president, either Barack Obama or John McCain. Ryan said, "he will demonstrate to the world that Chicago welcomes the world".

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was in Beijing earlier, voiced his support for Rio's bid. Bid leader Carlos Nuzman said the President would attend the session next year.

And Madrid's head Mercedes Coghen said the Spanish Royal family and Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero were also firmly behind the bid and would be in Copenhagen for the vote.

Reuters reports the IOC has expressed concerns their high-profile appearances may upstage the vote itself and is setting certain conditions to reduce the size of the entourage and their convoy of vehicles.

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