Oprah Winfrey to host Olympians
2008-09-03 11:22
Chicago - The US 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 has invited 150 US Olympic athletes to join her in taping the season premiere for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" at a downtown Chicago park on Wednesday.
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 are available Wednesday.
The show will air Monday.
- AP