Chicago 2016 announced today its participation in an amateur sports festival as part of the countdown to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The festival, named the Chicago Chinese Community Greeting Beijing 2008 Athletic Meet, aims to promote the Olympic Ideals and involve Chicagoans in sport. Chicago 2016 is working closely with the Chinese Community, one of more than 26 ethnic communities located in Chicago, to host this amateur sports series. There are nearly 100,000 Chinese Americans living in the Chicagoland area.
The Chicago Chinese Community Greeting Beijing 2008 Athletic Meet is a series of Olympic-related sport events, including Athletics, Football, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Badminton, Tennis, Table Tennis, Canoeing and Swimming. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies will take place in Chicago’s Chinatown Square on May 10 and July 12, and Chicago 2016 staff and Chicago-area Olympians will take part. During six-weeks in between, one sporting event will be hosted each weekend. Various athletic clubs and Chinese student associations have been invited to compete in these sporting events.
Chicago 2016 Chairman and CEO Pat Ryan said, “In the months leading up to the Olympic Games, this is a great opportunity for Chicagoans of all ages to participate in sport and learn about the ideals and values of the Olympic Movement.”
Chicago is honored to be competing for the privilege of hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games alongside such world-class cities as Prague, Tokyo, Rio, Baku, Doha and Madrid, bidding to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
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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 athletic, civic, , cultural business and academic leaders representing Chicago and the surrounding Midwest region. Patrick G. Ryan serves as chairman and CEO.
Contact: Mica Matsoff, 312-861-4826, media@chicago2016.org.