Source:
AFPBEIJING (AFP) — Should Barack Obama win the US presidential election it would be a huge plus for Chicago's bid to win the right to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, its bid chief told AFP.
Pat Ryan said that both Obama and his Republican rival John McCain were supporting the bid as indeed had President George W Bush and his father former president George Bush.
However, Ryan admitted that being a senator for Illinois Obama could not but help if he were elected in November to succeed the younger Bush.
"All the presidential candidates supported our bid," Ryan told AFP.
"Obviously if you have a hometown kid as president it has its advantages.
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IOC bitterness runs deep towards McCain:
'a well placed IOC source also told AFP that were McCain to be elected it could come at a heavy price for Chicago's hopes as he is not fondly remembered by many IOC members for chairing the Congressional hearings on the Salt Lake City corruption scandal over how they won the 2002 Winter Games.'
McCain's committee eventually accused the IOC of creating a 'culture of corruption'.
"There is a lot of bitterness among IOC members towards McCain," said the source.