Obama to lead US delegation in making pitch in Copenhagen for Chicago to get 2016 Games

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will travel to Denmark this week to support Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Brazilian President: Rio de Janeiro can win bid to host 2016 Olympics

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is confident Rio de Janeiro can win its bid for the 2016 Olympics and he’ll “return from Copenhagen with a victory.”

Obama’s presence expected to give Chicago a boost ahead of vote for 2016 Olympics

COPENHAGEN — President Barack Obama is hitting the campaign trail again.

Obama’s Olympic pitch draws GOP complaint about lack of priorities

NEW YORK — President Obama’s decision to travel to Copenhagen to boost Chicago’s chances of winning the 2016 Olympics has drawn criticism from some Republicans, who call it a boondoggle for Obama’s hometown allies and evidence the president has blurred his priorities.

Obama’s personal plea for Chicago Olympics means possible rewards _ and political risks

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s decision to fly to Denmark to support Chicago’s Olympics bid elevates the Games to an issue of national importance — and exposes him to political risks as well as rewards at a critical point in his presidency.

The race to host the 2016 Olympics to come down to close finish at IOC vote in Copenhagen

LONDON — Close your eyes and imagine the possible scenarios in 2016.

After missing out in 2012, Madrid feels the time is right to host 2016 Olympics

MADRID — After losing out on the 2012 Olympics, Madrid believes it is now the perfect choice to host the games in 2016.

Copenhagen braces for arrival of world leaders, royalty for 2016 Olympic decision

COPENHAGEN — For a city that has never held an Olympics, Copenhagen will become an Olympic capital of sorts next week when it hosts an international meeting to decide the site for the 2016 Summer Games.

Armed soldiers patrol Beijing, Tibet shuts to foreigners as China prepares for anniversary

BEIJING — China has closed Tibet to foreign tourists and deployed soldiers armed with machine guns in the streets of Beijing — part of a raft of stringent security measures ahead of the 60th anniversary of communist rule. Even kite-flying has been banned in the capital.

Athens no longer a discount destination, but bargains still exist

ATHENS, Greece — Athens is no longer a discount destination.

White House sends team to Copenhagen, where 2016 summer Olympics host city will be chosen

WASHINGTON — The White House is sending an advance team to Copenhagen, Denmark, to make preparations in case President Barack Obama decides to attend the International Olympic Committee’s meeting there next month, an administration official says.

Canadian civil rights watchdog criticizes 2010 Winter Olympic Games controlled protest zones

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — A Canadian civil rights watchdog group says protest zones at the Vancouver Games will increase the chances of Olympic demonstrators clashing with police.

Tokyo Olympic bid organizers urge new prime minister to visit Copenhagen for IOC vote

TOKYO — Tokyo’s Olympic bid organizers have urged new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama to join them in Copenhagen for the International Olympic Committee’s vote on the host city for the 2016 Summer Games.

Obama drums up support for Chicago Olympic bid, says city would ‘make the world proud’

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama staged a homecoming-style Olympic rally at the White House Wednesday, saying the whole country is rooting for his hometown of Chicago in its efforts to host the 2016 Summer Games.

Short track speedskater J.R. Celski injured in crash at Olympic trials

MARQUETTE, Mich. — J.R. Celski underwent surgery on his left leg after being injured in a crash at the U.S. short track speedskating championships Saturday night, but it won’t keep him off the Olympic team.

Chicago doesn’t get the president, might not be getting the Olympics

They couldn’t persuade the president to twist some arms for his adopted hometown’s Olympic bid, settling for the first lady instead. They don’t have their own special Olympic plane like the Spaniards, and no king to bring along for the ride to Copenhagen.

AP Interview: IOC president ‘optimistic’ Vancouver will avoid budget shortfall

LONDON — International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge is confident the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver will break even despite a budget shortfall.

AP Interview: Rogge predicts tight 2016 vote; says Obama presence not crucial to Chicago

LONDON — IOC president Jacques Rogge expects the race for the 2016 Olympics to be decided by “a couple of votes” and says Chicago’s chances shouldn’t hinge on whether President Barack Obama goes to Denmark to push his home city’s bid.

Pittsburgh firms launch Web sites, blogs, foreign-language links to try to capitalize on G-20

PITTSBURGH — Some Pittsburgh companies will not be satisfied with just having the world come to their doorstep in September when an economic summit convenes in the Steel City.

4 cities bidding for 2016 Olympics, including Chicago, await IOC evaluation report

LONDON — Heading into the final month of the race, the four cities vying for the 2016 Summer Games are awaiting a key International Olympic Committee report assessing their technical bids.

IOC makes unprecedented offer to cover budget deficit for Vancouver Games in economic downturn

LONDON — The International Olympic Committee has made an unprecedented offer to help cover any budget deficit of the 2010 Vancouver Games because of the economic downturn.

O’Neal says ex-teammate Nash’s idea for a TV show was different from ‘Shaq VS’

BALTIMORE — Don’t go calling him the Big Rip-off.

Jacques Rogge plans to resign as active IOC member after second presidential term ends in 2013

LONDON — IOC president Jacques Rogge plans to resign as an active member of the Olympic committee after his final presidential term ends in 2013, preferring to serve as an “honorary president.”

‘Kiss-ins’ smack back at Mormon church as faith’s image suffers from Calif. gay marriage fight

SALT LAKE CITY — The Mormon church’s vigorous, well-heeled support for Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California last year, has turned the Utah-based faith into a lightning rod for gay rights activism, including a nationwide “kiss-in” Saturday.

Michael Phelps to be cited for invalid driver’s license after minor accident in Baltimore

BALTIMORE — Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps was driving with an invalid, out-of-state license and told police he drank a beer about an hour and 15 minutes before he was involved in an accident, Baltimore police said Friday.

Michael Phelps to be cited for expired driver’s license; swimmer told police he had 1 beer

BALTIMORE — Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps was driving with an expired, out-of-state license and told police he drank a beer about an hour and 15 minutes before he was involved in an accident, Baltimore police said Friday.

APNewsBreak: Police to cite Phelps for license issue, other driver to be cited for crash

BALTIMORE — Baltimore police say they’ll cite Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps for driving without a license and failure to establish residency in Maryland.

Baltimore police say other driver ran red light, causing crash with Olympic champion Phelps

BALTIMORE — A crash involving Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps was blamed on the other driver, who ran a red light, Baltimore police said Friday.

Chicago Olympic bid in spotlight at USOC hall of fame induction ceremony

CHICAGO — Athletes being inducted into the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Hall of fame walked the carpet at the induction ceremony Wednesday in Chicago, part of a final push to drum up buzz about the city’s bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

USOC to stay in Colo Springs for 30 years after city council approves funding deal

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Colorado Springs city council approved a deal Tuesday that will keep the U.S. Olympic Committee in town for the next 30 years.