Chicago Advances as USOC Applicant City for the
2016 Olympic and ParalymPic Games
September 4, 2007 (Chicago, IL) -- Mayor Richard M. Daley and Pat Ryan, Chairman and CEO of the Chicago 2016 Olympic Committee today thanked Jim Scherr, CEO of the United States Olympic Committee for officially submitting Chicago as the United States Olympic Committee’s Applicant City for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“The USOC has given us an opportunity to showcase Chicago around the world and to advance the Olympic Movement. And I want to thank the USOC again for this vote of confidence in our city,” said Mayor Richard M. Daley in a press conference at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. “We are looking forward to working with the International Olympic Committee and convincing them why we believe Chicago is the best host city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
The International Olympic Committee is expected to announce Chicago along with several other Applicant Cities on September 14, 2007.
“I know Chicago faces tough competition, but it will be an honor to join the bid process alongside some of the greatest cities in the world with whom I’m sure we have much in common,” said Mayor Daley.
The Mayor thanked the thousands of Chicago area residents who have supported the city’s Olympic bid. He reminded residents that everyone should take pride in what Chicago has become: a city with strong, vibrant neighborhoods; a booming downtown; a beautiful lakefront; a thriving economy; and friendly, hard-working people of every age, income and background.
“That’s why I believe everyone should bid for the Olympic Games because it brings out the best in a city and its people,” said Daley. “By working together, we hope to build a new heart of the American Olympic Movement, here in the heart of America.”
The Mayor also noted that the City has already started to embrace the Olympic Movement by becoming an Olympic Community Partner and by developing organizations like World Sport Chicago, which promotes and develops amateur sport and international competition in the Chicagoland area.
“Chicago is truly becoming a city that is focused on delivering an amazing experience for Olympic athletes, in the heart of our city,” said Ryan. “Next month I am certain that Chicagoans will continue to support Olympic sports when the World Amateur Boxing Championships come to our city.”
In closing, Mayor Daley also stressed the impact that the Olympic Games can have on young people, especially children.
“Children are the future of our city and one of the main reasons we’re pursuing the Olympic Games is to build a lasting legacy for the children of the Chicago area and around the world,” said Daley.
The International Olympic Committee is expected to make its choice for host city of the 2016 Olympic Games in the fall of 2009.
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