Copenhagen  - US President Barack Obama arrived Friday morning in Copenhagen for a whirlwind visit aimed at aiding his hometown Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

Obama was due to address the International Olympic Committee, which is to select a winner among the cities of Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.

First lady Michelle Obama, who hails from Chicago, arrived Wednesday in the Danish capital to also lobby for her hometown.

The secret ballot vote was expected to be close although Rio de Janeiro and Chicago were believed to be the leading contenders.

In addition to his speech before the committee, the president was due to meet Queen Margrethe and Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen before leaving Denmark early Friday afternoon.

Obama is the third US president to visit Denmark in the past 12 years after trips in 1997 by Bill Clinton and 2007 by George W Bush.

To cope with security, police officers from other parts of Denmark have been deployed in Copenhagen.

Residents have been warned to expect traffic jams because of the presidential motorcade. (dpa)