Chicago 2016, the organization bidding for the privilege to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, today announced that it had recruited its 3,000th volunteer to assist with the bid’s activities. Volunteers have made a significant contribution since the bid’s inception, devoting their time and energy to strategic initiatives, daily office tasks, parades and street festivals and major undertakings.
Pat Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016, said, “We have been amazed at the outpouring of people who have approached our organization wanting to get involved in any way to help further the bid. I feel it’s indicative of the enthusiasm and support for the bid throughout the city and region. Volunteers represent a true success story for Chicago 2016.”
Since the bid was launched, volunteers have been fixtures at most public events and can regularly seen donating their time to the Chicago 2016 booth at festivals as well as riding the Chicago 2016 float at parades across the city. Chicago 2016’s volunteers represent a cross-section of Chicago coming from various ethnic, cultural, business, civic, academic, and sporting communities.
When World Sport Chicago, a not-for-profit organization created by Chicago 2016 to promote amateur sport, hosted the AIBA World Boxing Championships in October 2007, it relied on a dedicated, skilled and diverse group of around 1,000 volunteers to play a variety of roles. The team handled tasks from security and hospitality to acting as translators for the nearly 600 athletes from 120 countries that competed in the tournament.
“Without a doubt, our volunteer team was indispensable in the successful operation of the boxing championships,” said Bill Scherr, chairman of World Sport Chicago. “So many people put in long days and really went above and beyond our expectations. In the end, they were a vital part of that event’s success.”
Chicago 2016 has a full calendar of activities that volunteers will participate in, including the upcoming U.S. Olympic Media Summit in Chicago from April 13–16 and Olympic Week in America from May 5–9. Volunteers will also be a part of the Chicago 2016 contingent at the Shamrock Shuffle Expo from March 28–30 as well as the Shamrock Shuffle 8k road race on March 30.
People interested in volunteering for Chicago 2016 should go to http://www.chicago2016.org/volunteeer or send an email to Volunteer@Chicago2016.org
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 Janerio, Brazil; and Tokyo, Japan.
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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 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.
About World Sport Chicago
World Sport Chicago (WSC) is an Illinois not-for-profit working to enhance the image, awareness and participation in Olympic sports across Chicago and to extend Chicago’s international outreach through and for sport and youth. Focused on promoting the development of recreational and competitive sport to the area’s youth, WSC works closely with Chicago 2016 and Chicago’s 2016’s Athlete Advisory Counsel (AAC) to provide sport expertise and athlete insight to the execution of these sporting events. WSC intends to aid Chicago in developing a sustainable, international sporting legacy, as a real agent of social change for the City. Michael Conley, Sr., an Olympic medalist in the triple jump, serves as president and CEO. William Scherr, an Olympic medalist in wrestling, is chairman of the board.