The International Olympic Committee (IOC) sensationally rebuffed U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday, eliminating Chicago from the contest for the 2016 Olympics and narrowing the field to Rio de Janeiro and Madrid.

Tokyo were also voted out when the IOC whittled the choice from four to two candidates but it was Chicago's shock elimination which drew a stunned response from onlookers.

President Obama had put his personal political credibility on the line by flying in to the Danish capital earlier on Friday to urge the IOC to choose his home town of Chicago. His wife, first lady Michelle Obama, had spent two days in Copenhagen charming IOC members.

Almost no one had expected such an astonishing rebuff. Chicago finished last of the four bids in the first round of voting by 95 eligible members.

As none of the other three reached an overall majority, a second round of voting was held with Tokyo coming last, leaving Madrid and Rio in the third and final round.

The result of the final round of voting will be announced by IOC president Jacque Rogge at a ceremony starting at 1630 GMT.

STRONG APPEALS

Most observers had predicted a close contest between Chicago and Rio de Janeiro.

Though the U.S. President and his wife produced strong appeals in the day's first 45-minute presentation by Chicago, they were almost certainly undone by the emotional tugs provided by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for Rio and former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch for Spain.

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