CHICAGO (September 19, 2007) –Chicago 2016 unveiled the bid’s new logo today before a packed house of cheering school children. Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Rowdy Gaines and several other Olympians and Paralympians were on hand at Chicago’s Walt Disney Magnet School, along with Chicago 2016 Chairman and CEO, Patrick G. Ryan and Mayor Richard M. Daley to introduce the logo before the children of the city.
“The strength of our new logo is that it connects Chicago’s history and passion with the spirit of the Olympic Movement. We hope the elements of this new symbol will inspire the young people of our city and the world to embrace the ideals and values learned through sport,” said Mayor Richard M. Daley. “This logo will become a great symbol of hope for our city and our nation as we work together to seek the privilege to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
The logo’s central element is the Chicago Star, a symbol unique to Chicago which adorns the City flag. The logo is inspired by the ideals and values of the Olympic Movement and those of the city of Chicago. The six-points on the star represent hope, respect, harmony, friendship, excellence and celebration.
“A star tells a story of hope, universally seen as a guiding light for people everywhere,” said Chicago 2016 Chairman and CEO Patrick G. Ryan. “Placing the Chicago Star at the center of our logo symbolizes our desire to put the athletes at the center of the Games—since they’re the real stars—and celebrate their accomplishments in the heart of our city.”
“It was important to us to share this logo with local children first,” Ryan continued. “The Olympic Games highlight the educational elements of sport: how we learn to get the most out of ourselves, how we learn to work together as a team, develop leadership skills, and learn to be gracious competitors, regardless of the outcome. Every child should grow up learning these values, and we are inspired by them here today.”
“What I love about this logo is that it really captures the essence of the City’s spirit, and its drive to achieve great things,” shared Jackie Joyner-Kersee, a three-time Gold Medalist. “The soaring reds, oranges and yellows represent the skyline rising toward the sun, while the inviting greens and blues reflect Chicago’s parks and beautiful lakefront.”
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“This logo should serve as an inspiration to all Chicagoans,” said Mayor Daley. “But it is also designed to carry a message throughout America and the world, to help teach the ideals and values found through sport.”
A complete description of the values and ideals embodied in our logo can be found on the Chicago 2016 web site at: www.chicago2016.org, including definitions of each of the points on the star:
o Hope - hope for a better future for Chicago and the world.
o Respect - respect for the rules, each other and competition.
o Harmony - between body, mind and soul; development and sustainability; and amongst the peoples of the world.
o Friendship - the friendship sport inspires when we play together without regard for our differences.
o Excellence - the excellence for which every Olympian and Paralympian strives
o Celebration - the joy of participating and winning
The logo was designed by VSA Partners of Chicago.
Chicago is honored to be competing for the privilege of hosting the 2016 Games along side such world-class cities including: Baku, Azerbaijan; Doha, Qatar; Madrid, Spain; Prague, Czech Republic; Rio de Janerio, Brazil and Tokyo, Japan.
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About Chicago 2016
Chicago 2016 is a 501(c)3 corporation whose mission is to seek the privilege of hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Chicago. The Committee’s Board comprises business, civic, athletic, cultural and academic leaders representing Chicago and the surrounding Midwest region. Patrick Ryan serves as chairman and CEO.
Contact:
Mica Matsoff
+1.312.861.4826 (Chicago 2016 media line)
Media@chicago2016.org
Participating Athletes:
Athlete Name
Olympic Year(s)
Sport
Medals
Special Honors
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
84, '88, '92, '96
Athletics
Gold 1988 Seoul Heptathlon
Gold 1988 Seoul Long jump
Gold 1992 Barcelona Heptathlon
Silver 1984 Los Angeles Heptathlon
Bronze 1996 Atlanta Long jump
Greatest Female Athlete of the Century
Ambrose "Rowdy" Gaines
'84
Swimming
Gold 1984 Los Angeles 100m Freestyle
Gold 1984 Los Angeles 4x100m Freestyle
Gold 1984 Los Angeles 4x100m Medley
World Swimmer of Year, '80 and '84, U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, International Swimming Hall of Fame
Shannon Miller
'92, '96
Gymnastics/Women's Artistic
Gold 1996 Atlanta Team competition;
Gold 1996 Atlanta Balance beam;
Silver 1992 Barcelona All-around;
Silver 1992 Barcelona Balance beam;
Bronze 1992 Barcelona Team competition;
Bronze 1992 Barcelona Uneven bars;
Bronze 1992 Barcelona Floor exercise
Most decorated American female gymnast in Olympic and World Championships, United States Olympic Hall of Fame and the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame
Tamika Catchings
'04
Basketball
Gold, 2004 Women's Basketball
Member of All-Decade Team, Top Vote Getter for the 2006 WNBA All-Star Game, 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, 2006 & 2005 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, 2002 WNBA Rookie of the Year
Michael Conley, Sr.
84, '92, '96
Athletics
Gold 1992 Barcelona Triple jump
Silver 1984 Los Angeles Triple jump
United States Track and Field Hall of Fame
Tom Pukstys
92, '96
Athletics, Javelin
Coached the Athletics throws team for the 2007 Pan American Games
Bill Mulliken
'60
Swimming, 200m Breast Stroke
Gold, 1960 Rome 200m Breaststroke
International Swimming Hall of Fame, Class of 1984
Bill Scherr
88
Wrestling
Bronze, 1988 Seoul Wrestling
Wrestling Hall of Fame, Class of 1998
John Vande Velde
68, '72
Cycling
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USA Cycling Hall of Fame, Class of 2004
Kenneth Johnson
92.'96
Boccia
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Linda Mastandrea
92, '96
Wheelchair Track
Gold, 1996 Atlanta Wheelchair Athletics; Silver 1996 Atlanta Wheelchair Athletics
IOC President’s Disabled Athlete Award, 1995, World Record Holder 200, 400, 800, and 1500m
Diane Simpson-Bundy
88
Gymnastics/Rhythmic
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USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame, Class of 2004, Pan American Games - 2 gold, 2 silver, bronze
Becky Turner-Buckland
96
Gymnastics/Rhythmic
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Jeanne Collier
64
Diving
Silver, 1964 Tokyo, 3m diving board
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