U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday said that while he is disappointed that his hometown of Chicago lost its bid to host the 2016 Olympics, the United States is still excited about competing in the games. Speaking upon his arrival back to the White House from his trip to Copenhagen earlier in the day in an effort to plead for Chicago ahead of the International Olympic Committee (OIC), Obama said “I have no doubt that it was the strongest case possible” presented to the committee. He and First Lady Michelle Obama worked to “promote and boost” the United States, Obama said. Though Chicago lost its bid, “this nation and our athletes are still excited to compete,” Obama said, adding that the U.S. is “committed to the Olympic spirit.” As part of his landing statement, Obama also took the time to address Friday's Labor Department report showing that the unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent in September—the highest since June 1983. “Our task is to do everything that we can do” to speed up the recovery process, Obama said. “Building a 21st century economy…will not happen overnight,” but he is “determined” to make it happen, Obama said.
