Daley looking forward to making case for Olympics

Mayor Richard Daley says he would welcome an extra chance to make a pitch for Chicago to the International Olympic Committee before they decide which city will host the 2016 summer games.

Last week, the IOC's executive board said finalist cities will be able to explain their bids to IOC members a few months before next year's final vote.

The special meeting will be in Switzerland next spring.

Chicago will find out this June whether it's one of those finalists.

Chicago's among seven cities in contention, including Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Madrid, Spain. The IOC will select a 2016 host in October 2009.

IOC members' contact with bid cities has been limited by Olympic rules enacted following the Salt Lake City bribery scandal.