CHICAGO (August 10, 2007) - The Chicago 2016 Exploratory Committee (Chicago 2016) will present a float honoring the spirit of excellence through education at the 78th Annual Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic hosted by the Chicago Defender on Saturday, August 11.
With education as one of the core principals of the Olympic Movement, Chicago Olympians and local young athletes will help spread the back-to-school enthusiasm from the Chicago 2016 float, presented as the ninth of over 300 floats participating in the parade.
Olympians attending on behalf of Chicago 2016 include:
Bob Pickens, Greco-Roman Wrestling, 1964 Willie May, 110m hurdles, 1960, Silver Medalist Diane Simpson-Bundy, Rhythmic Gymnastics, 1988 Kenny Johnson, Boccia, 1992, 1996 Danell "Doc" Nicholson, Boxing, 1992 Dianne Durham, Gymnastics, 2-time Junior National Champion, Senior National Champion Armand Rhone, Track & Field 2012, 2016 Hopeful Raena Rhone, Track & Field 2016 Hopeful, Destyne Butler, 2007 Ringside World Champion and 2007 Junior Golden Glove Champion. The parade begins at 10 a.m.
traveling south on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, beginning at 39th Street and ending at 51st Street.
Bob Pickens, Olympian, vice president of the Board of Commissioners for the Chicago Park District, and former offensive tackle for the Chicago Bears, and Diane Simpson-Bundy, Olympian and president of the Midwest Chapter of U.S. Olympians and Paralympians, will be available for interviews following the parade.
About the Chicago 2016 Committee
The Chicago 2016 Committee is a 501(c)3 corporation whose mission is to seek the privilege of hosting the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in Chicago.
The Committee's Board comprises business, civic, athletic, cultural and academic leaders representing Chicago and the surrounding Midwest region. Its honorary chairmen are Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Patrick Ryan serves as chairman and CEO.
City of Chicago, U.S. Applicant City, 2016 Olympic Games www.chicago2016.org
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