The dazzling Obamas took Denmark by storm this week during their whirlwind visit to Copenhagen to support Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Summer Games. The media went crazy over every single move each of the Obamas made, so much more so than with the other delegations. The Obamas defintely brought star power and charisma to the proceedings. Denmark's local media went bananas for the visit by this international star who is our president. Even royal favorite King Juan Carlos (Madrid) and the exuburant Lula da Silva of Brazil didn't summon a tiny portion of the interest that the Obamas did. Oprah came close; her reputation for friendliness earned her lots of shouting reporters and photographers who followed her on a tour of Strøget, the mile-long pedestrian shopping street.
**Congratulations to Rio de Janiero! While Chicago's effort was strong, it is hard to see how the first South American Olympic Games in one of the world's most festive countries cannot be appreciated.**
The Obamas may be tired and disappointed, but they represented Chicago and the US beautifully, and stirred up a lot of goodwill toward the US with their charisma, grace and intelligence. This trip was not wasted! Mange tak, kære Obamas! (Many thanks, dear Obamas!)
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Michelle Obama arrives in Denmark
Video of Mrs. Obama arriving at Kastrup Airport, Copenhagen
Photo series of Oprah in Copenhagen Click on "næste" ("next").
Greeting the newly appointed US Ambassador to Denmark, Laurie Fulton
Greeting Denmark's IOC representative, Kai Holm
At the Admiral Hotel with the Chicago delegation
Valerie Jarrett and Oprah Winfrey
Mrs. Obama stayed at the US Ambassador's seaside residence north of Copenhagen.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Video of Mrs. Obama arriving at Amalienborg Palace for lunch with all candidate city VIPS at the invitation of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe 2.
With the queen and prince consort at Amalienborg Palace.
Meeting Crown Prince Frederik, next expected IOC representative from Denmark
Photograph of all key Olympic city representatives with the royal family
Mr. & Mrs. Jacques Rogge, Queen Sofia of Spain, King Juan Carlos of Spain, Danish royals, Brasilian president Lula da Silva, Michelle Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama
Oprah Winfrey arriving at Amalienborg for the VIP lunch
Video of Mrs. Obama and guests, including Oprah, leaving Amalienborg after lunch.
The evening saw all Olympic candidate city VIPS and guests at the Opera. Mrs. Obama dazzled in a subliminally gold dress - replete with "medals" along the neckline! Gorgeous.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Video of the President arriving in Copenhagen in the morning
The Beast came along. Ambassador Fulton is in the righthand background.
The final presentation in front of the IOC before the vote.
The Obamas visited with Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik at Christiansborg Palace, admiring the colorful tapestries that tell the story of Denmark.
Mr. Obama met with the new Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen in his offices at Christiansborg Palace.
At 1:11pm local time, Air Force One took off for Washington after the President met on the plane for half an hour with General Stanley McChrystal. The Obamas were sent on their way with a case of wine from the Chateau de Cayx, a vineyard in France owned by the queen's husband, Prince Henrik.
Video of Obamas leaving Copenhagen