The City of Chicago will be the location for the first-ever International French School Sporting Competition June 2–4, 2008. The Lycée Français of Chicago has arranged for 200 students from numerous French schools across the United States, Canada and Mexico to compete in this multi-sport, co-ed sporting event.
The competitions will provide students with a unique social, athletic and cultural experience and demonstrate that by working together students from schools across the country and around the world can reach a common goal. Participants include students across Lycée Français’ entire network of major North American cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Boston, Washington, Montréal and Mexico City.
The concept for this event was born out of the excitement of Chicago’s French community about the City’s 2016 Olympic Games bid.
“On behalf of the City of Chicago, we’d like to welcome all the students, families and friends to the first-ever International French School Sporting Competition,” said Mayor Richard M. Daley. “We hope this competition will help inspire all the students participating and teach them the values that sport can offer – dedication, fair play, fitness and self-confidence.
“This friendly competition intends to be a new model for American schools, creating opportunities for students to interact in a cultural and athletic atmosphere,” said Alain Weber, director of Lycee Francais. “We are committed to practicing the values we encourage: surpassing oneself, fraternity, team spirit, respect for others and for the rules, fair play and solidarity. The Games are a tangible way to represent the idea of excellence in education for our young people.”
The competition will take place in the gymnasium of the Lycée Français as well as on the sports fields in Lincoln Park. The event will include a variety of mini-tournaments, including team sports, athletics, racket sports, acrobatics, cycling and sailing. The competition will include opening and closing ceremonies.
Chicago 2016 will bring in Olympians throughout the three-day event to share their athletic experiences with the young participants as well as to provide sports demonstrations and coaching.
Each school will bring a team of 20 students, for a total of more than two hundred participants and as many families directly involved in the competition. Beyond these students and families, the event is aimed to motivate all students and families of the participating schools.
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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 consists of business, civic, athletic, cultural and academic leaders representing Chicago and the surrounding Midwest region. Patrick Ryan serves as the organization’s chairman and CEO.
Contact:
Mica Matsoff
+1.312.861.4826 (Chicago 2016 media line)
media@chicago2016.org