Oprah Winfrey to host Olympians in Chicago

[September 03, 2008]  CHICAGO (AP) -- The city of Chicago is getting the kind of high-profile boost to its bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics that only Oprah Winfrey can give.

The talk-show host is taping the season premiere for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" at a downtown Chicago park Wednesday, and she's invited 150 U.S. Olympic athletes to join her.

Harpo Productions says Winfrey intends the show to be both a welcome home for athletes who competed in Beijing and a chance to showcase Chicago as the city bids for the 2016 Games.

Michael Phelps, Nastia Liukin and Kobe Bryant are among the Olympians set to attend.

Hundreds of fans stood in line for hours for a chance at 2,000 ticketed seats. Another 7,000 lawn seats will be available Wednesday.

The show will air Monday.

[Associated Press]

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