CHICAGO (June 6, 2008) – Today Illinois Senator and Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama reiterated his support for Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games at an event in Daley Plaza. Senator Obama joined Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Congressman Rahm Emanuel and other dignitaries in celebrating this historic milestone in Chicago’s quest to become the Host City for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The event was part of the closing ceremony of the weeklong International Sister Cities Festival in Daley Plaza.
Speaking to a crowd gathered in Chicago to celebrate Chicago’s elevation to Candidate City by the International Olympic Committee, Obama said, “Bringing the Olympics to Chicago will be a capstone of the success that we’ve had over the past couple decades in transforming Chicago to become not just a great American City but a great world city.” He noted that he lives only a few blocks away from the proposed site of the Olympic Stadium in Washington Park. “In 2016, I’ll be wrapping up my second term as president, so I can’t think of a better way than to be marching into Washington Park alongside Mayor Daley, alongside Rahm Emanuel, alongside Dick Durbin, alongside Valerie Jarrett, as president of the United States and announcing to the world, ‘Let the Games begin!’”
In noting the strong ties Chicago has established with its 27 sister cities around the world, Mayor Richard M. Daley said, “We want the Olympics and Paralympics to come here to see not only what a great city Chicago is in our country but what a great city it is in the world.”
Chicago 2016 Chairman and CEO Patrick Ryan expressed his appreciation for the support. “This bid is the nation’s bid. We are fortunate to have the support of leaders at all levels of government, which is critical in creating a successful bid.”
On June 4, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) selected the City of Chicago as a Candidate City to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The announcement came during the international SportAccord meeting in Athens, Greece. Madrid, Spain, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Tokyo, Japan, were also named Candidate Cities.
The selection marks the start of the international phase of the bidding process. Previously, Chicago and all of the other Applicant Cities could only partake in a domestic campaign.
The IOC’s selection of Chicago marks another significant milestone in a bidding process that began in 2006. The United States Olympic Committee named Chicago as the U.S. bid city in April 2007. Chicago 2016 made its first official submission to the IOC in January 2008. A delegation from Chicago 2016 and Mayor Richard M. Daley will attend the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in August to meet with leaders of international sport and to observe the Games in an official capacity.
Chicago is honored to be competing for the privilege of hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games alongside such world-class cities including: Madrid, Spain; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Tokyo, Japan.
###
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, 312-861-4826, media@chicago2016.org.