President and Mrs. Obama Host White House Event on Olympic, Paralympic, and Youth Sport
In this photograph, taken by Samantha Appleton on September 16, 2009, President Barack Obama, Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, First Lady Michelle Obama, and former Olympic track-and-field medalist Jackie Joyner Kersee watch a balance beam demonstration hosted by gymnast and former Olympic medalist Dominique Dawes (left), on the South Lawn of the White House. The demonstration was part of an event celebrating Olympic, Paralympic, and Youth Sports that was hosted by the president and first lady in support of the city of Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid as well as to promote sports as part of healthy, active lifestyles. The event was hosted in conjunction with the White House Office on Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport, Chicago 2016, and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). Although Chicago was one of four cities shortlisted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), it was eliminated during the first round of voting on October 2, 2009, and the city of Rio de Janiero, Brazil was selected as host city for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.