Chicago 2016, the organization bidding for the privilege to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, today capped a weeklong celebration of Olympic and Paralympic sport with a Field Day across the city. Fifty Chicago-area elementary schools participated in sports competition and a Closing Ceremony to mark the conclusion of a series of activities designed to educate students about the values of the Olympic Movement.
“Chicago Celebrates Olympic Week in America” is part of a larger effort by Chicago 2016 to establish a series of amateur sports programs in the city. World Sport Chicago, the organization created by Chicago 2016 to promoting the development of recreational and competitive sport to the area’s youth, has a calendar of events through the rest of the year that includes international competition and youth events, such as a junior beach volleyball tournament.
Pat Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016, said, “One of our primary motivations for pursuing the Games is the impact it could have on the youth of Chicago and the region for generations to come. Students who are in sixth grade now will be around the age of the majority of Olympians and Paralympians in 2016, so some of them might be competing before their hometown crowd”
Built around the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) classroom curriculum, The “Chicago Celebrates Olympic Week in America” program featured a different theme on each day with school assemblies, Olympian and Paralympian demonstrations, interactive sports sessions, a parade of nations and an Opening and Closing Ceremony.
The week was divided into five themed days: Monday—Opening Ceremony; Tuesday—Teacher for a Day; Wednesday—Arts and Culture Day; Thursday—Paralympic Sports Day; and Friday—Field Day. Olympians and Paralympians made visits to selected schools on each day to talk about their experiences with the Games, participate in sport demonstrations and impress upon the students the importance of hard work and perseverance in achieving long-term goals.
Willie May, a silver medalist in the 110-meter hurdles at the Rome Games in 1960, said, “The kids were really excited to learn more about the Games, and it gave me a chance to highlight some of the Olympic values, like hard work, fair play and respect.”
Several Paralympians visited Neil Elementary School in the Chatham neighborhood to focus on sports for people with disabilities. Around 40 percent of Neil’s students are disabled. Jason Wening, a three-time Paralympian in swimming, remarked, “All of the students at Neil came away with a greater understanding of Paralympic sport, and it was incredible to have the opportunity to introduce students with disabilities to athletic competition.”
###
Chicago is honored to be competing for the privilege of hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games alongside such world-class cities including: Baku, Azerbaijan; Doha, Qatar; Madrid, Spain; Prague, Czech Republic; 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.