World media outlets have swarmed downtown Chicago all week. They hope to meet Olympic athletes before the Beijing games. Chicago Olympic enthusiasts are using the limelight to their advantage.

Chicago wants to host the 2016 games, but the rumor is … it’s not at the top of the list. So, US Olympic officials are lending advice: play up Chicago’s diversity.

While hundreds of reporters took notes, Chicago’s Olympic organizers whipped out a video of a diverse set of kids in gymnastics, track and boxing.

Ambi: Video

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley continued the theme.

DALEY: More than one hundred languages are spoken in Chicago. Our residents don’t have to travel abroad to absorb the culture, customs and cuisine of other nations - they only have to hop on a city bus.

Chicago’s next deadline comes in June. That’s when the International Olympic Committee could drop Chicago or other cities as possible hosts for the 2016 games.

I’m Shawn Allee, Chicago Public Radio.