By DANIEL YOVICH
Associated Press Writer

CHICAGO (AP) -- Hundreds of Oprah Winfrey fans are lining up in Chicago's Millennium Park for a chance at free tickets to the talk show host's season premiere featuring 150 U.S. Olympic team members.

Some fans lined up as early as 6 a.m. for the tickets to "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Tickets usually are available only by phone and are nearly impossible to get.

The tickets being handed out Saturday are for the planned taping of the show with the Olympic athletes on Wednesday. The 23rd season premiere of the show will air September 8th.

Winfrey's Harpo Productions says she intends the show as a "welcome home celebration" for the athletes and a chance to feature Chicago as the city bids for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Gold medalist Michael Phelps is among the Olympians to be included in the show.

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