Olympians get love from Oprah

Arts and Culture

Olympic athletes were invited for the taping of the season premiere of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in Chicago's Millennium Park. The show, which will air on Monday, Sept. 8, was at once a welcome home for the athletes and a pep rally for the United States and Chicago, which hopes to host the 2016 Games.

Olympic gymnastics medalists (right to left) Nastia Liukin, Samantha Peszek, and Alicia Sacramone pose for picture as they arrive for the taping of the 23rd season premiere of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" Wednesday ( Sept. 3) at Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Mellennium Park. The show is scheduled to be broadcast on Sept. 8.

Oprah Winfrey invited 150 U.S. Olympic athletes to join her at the downtown Chicago park. The athletes were introduced under a shower of red, white and blue confetti. Here, Olympic softball team member Jessica Mendoza cheers as he arrives for the taping.

Hundreds of fans stood in line for hours outside Winfrey's Chicago studio last weekend to wait for tickets. Some camped out in lawn chairs. For those who couldn't get passes for the 2,000 seats, about 7,000 lawn spots were made available. In this photo, Olympic softball team silver medalist Jennie Finch greets fans upon her arrival.

Members of the silver medal Olympic softball team pose for a picture.

Olympic men's gold medal basketball player Kobe Bryant arrives.

Olympic men's gold medal basketball players Dwyane Wade, right, and Carmelo Anthony arrive for the taping.

Women's Olympic gymnastic medalist Shawn Johnson is all smiles.

Olympic men's swimming gold medalist Michael Phelps arrived with his mom Debbie Phelps.

Lisa Leslie (left) and men's basketball gold medalist Carlos Boozer (back right) greet fans - and Oprah - as they arrive.

Olympic bronze medal heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder gets into the spirit of the event.

Oprah Winfrey hugs Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin as gold medalist Michael Phelps, behind Liukin, applauds.

Olympic men's gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps (top left) is surrounded by journalists.

Then they all took a photo together. If you want to watch the show it will air Monday, Sept. 8. Chicago is a finalist for the 2016 Games along with Tokyo; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Madrid, Spain. The International Olympic Committee will choose the 2016 host next year.

1/14

Olympic gymnastics medalists (right to left) Nastia Liukin, Samantha Peszek, and Alicia Sacramone pose for picture as they arrive for the taping of the 23rd season premiere of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" Wednesday ( Sept. 3) at Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Mellennium Park. The show is scheduled to be broadcast on Sept. 8.

Today's Gallery Headlines

Georgia students organize protests against ICE after Minnesota killings

Alerts

PHOTOS: Snellville's Brookwood High School students rally and march against ICE

PHOTOS: Scenes from icy winter storm in Metro Atlanta

PHOTOS: Georgia readies for incoming ice storm

PHOTOS: Metro Atlanta ICE protest join national effort