U.S. President Barack Obama issued a welcome on Saturday to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission members who are visiting Chicago as part of an official visit to assess the city's bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The president's greetings came in a video that was played as the IOC's Evaluation Commission began hearing presentations on the city's plan by officials of Chicago 2016. Chicago is President Obama's recent hometown, and he is a strong and long-time supporter of the city's bid for the 2016 Games.

In the message, Obama praised Chicago is "most American of American cities". He said the city "reflects the decency, honesty, and generosity of our people; a city of broad shoulders, big dreams, and a bright future".

The IOC evaluation team including 13 members arrived in Chicago on Thursday, kicking off the inspection tour on proposed Games sites in Chicago and question bid team officials about their proposal. Grant Park, where a large victory celebration was held after Obama's election in November, is a venue site under Chicago's plan.

Chicago is the first stop on the evaluation committee's itinerary. The delegation later will visit Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid. The decision on the site for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games will be made in Copenhagen on Oct. 2, 2009.

(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2009)