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Steve Chiotakis: Chicago will learn later in the year whether it will host the 2016 Summer Olympics. If it does, the Windy City can thank its hometown connection to President Obama. He says he'll create a special White House office if Chicago gets the gold. WBEZ's Natalie Moore explains.

Natalie Moore: If Chicago gets to host the 2016 summer games, President Obama will appoint advisor Valerie Jarrett to head a special White House office.

Unlike foreign governments, the U.S. doesn't offer any financial help to host cities. This new White House Olympic Office would give moral support and coordinate events.

Carson Cunningham is an Olympic historian at DePaul University. He says President Obama's public commitment is good for Chicago's bid.

Carson Cunningham: The main thing giving Chicago a legitimate shot to actually win the right to host, so I just think it's another factor in that part of the dynamic.

Chicago is competing against Madrid, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro. The International Olympic Committee chooses the host city in October.

In Chicago, I'm Natalie Moore for Marketplace.