Obama congratulates Brazil on winning 2016 Olympic Games

President Barack Obama returned empty-handed to the White House on Friday
afternoon after a whirlwind trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, that failed to
persuade the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to bring the
Olympics to Chicago in 2016.

The president said he called Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to congratulate him on the IOC’s decision to award the games to Rio de Janeiro.

{mosads}After walking off Marine One, Obama came out to the Rose Garden, where he conceded to reporters that he was disappointed by the committee’s decision, but he stood by his decision to make the quick trip to Denmark on Thursday night.

“I believe it’s always a worthwhile endeavor to promote and boost the United States of America,” Obama said.

The president’s hometown was eliminated in the first round of voting, but the president said he had “no doubt that [Chicago’s] was the strongest bid possible.”

“One of the things that I think is most valuable about sports is that you can play a great game and still not win,” Obama said.

Obama thanked the volunteers and officials who helped put the bid together, and he said he informed da Silva that U.S. athletes were looking forward to competing in Rio.