No Olympic surprises, Mayor says

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and members of the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games emerged smiling and hugging from their hour-long presentation before the U.S. Olympic Committee.

But Villaraigosa continued to maintain a mysterious silence about the additional financial guarantee they said the city recently obtained. The secrecy, he insisted, was enforced and not optional.

"We've been told that this is a confidential process," he said. "We were told that you don't share certain information. You don't share it even if you want to."

Villraigosa did say the additional financial backing comes from a private source, and is "unprecedented" both in the amount and the type of guarantee.

Meanwhile, he said the team emerged confident from its final pitch. The USOC decides in about an hour whether Los Angeles or Chicago will be the U.S. nominee for the 2016 Summer Games, and compete against international cities like Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Madrid.

"It went well," he said of the appearance. "There were no surprises today."

Villaraigosa said the city pitched a vision of a "transformative" 2016 games. Techno music and the sound of booms could be heard from their power point presentation, which team members said emphasized the region's technical know-how and wealth of creative talent.

Meanwhile, he continued to answer questions about the absence of Los Angeles media. The Times showed up Saturday morning, but L.A. television crews remained absent. The press room, meanwhile, has been crowded with Chicago reporters.

"Did they seem to notice that L.A. is a little laid back here?" one Chicago reporter asked Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley after his team emerged from their final presentation. Daley said the USOC made no mention of the dirth of L.A. media, but jabbed "We're very proud of hte Chicago press."

Villaraigosa didn't wait to be asked again about his city's apparent lack of media enthusiasm.

"It's very clear your media is here today," he said to the room, but really to Chicago. But, he insisted, "Let's be clear about this, 90 percent of the city supports the Olympic games. There is an energy about the Olympic games that you're going to see, and it starts with the leader of the city.

"I can tell you there will be a big rally today (in Los Angeles)" he said. "PThere will be a lot of media there. People will be enthusiastic about these games."

Villaraigosa also vowed to work hard for Chicago in the even the Windy City is named the nominee.

"America and the world will benefit from whoever is selected," he said. "I'm prepared to stand with Mayor Daley if Chicago wins this bid, and go wherever he needs me to go."

Citing his ability to speak Spanish and energize both Latino communities as well as the Spanish-speaking world about the U.S. nominee, Villaraigosa said if Chicago wins "You'll see me schlep wherever Mayor Daley wants me to go."

Apparently the mayor also speaks Yiddish.