Chicago was the U.S. Olympic Committee's pick for the venue for the 2016 games. The city is competing with Tokyo; Madrid; Rio de Janeiro; Prague, Czech Republic; Baku, Azerbaijan, and Doha, Qatar.

Bush met with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Olympic volleyballer and member of the USOC Bob Ctvrtlik at the city's storied Union League Club before lunching and then delivering a speech to business leaders.

"Listen, Mr. Mayor, you and your committee have put together a great plan. It's a plan that will make America proud," Bush said.

He added: "This is a well thought out venue. … And our hope is that the judges will take a good look at Chicago and select Chicago for the 2016 Olympics."