A delegation from Chicago 2016 including Bob Accarino (Environment), George Hirthler (Communications), and Mark Mitten (Marketing and Legacy) traveled to Barbados last week to attend the Legacy Lives 2008 conference. Legacy Lives is regarded as one of the most important international events focused on the practice of sports legacy planning, and it brings together nearly 150 people involved in the Olympic Movement to share knowledge and develop the skills required for the bidding, selection, planning, staging and evaluation of major events.
The purpose of the visit was to gather event rights holders, organizing committees, applicant cities and international federations to discuss the main legacy themes of sport, social and cultural programs, economic impact, regeneration, environment and tourism. The forum served to educate attendees on the importance of legacy planning and the sustainable benefits that can and should be an integral part of holding major events.
“This conference has become
an essential learning platform for all of us involved in the bidding and
planning process,” said George Hirthler. “We have taken away invaluable
information from these past few days.”
Legacy Lives 2008 featured presentations, interactive workshops and sessions, time for informal networking and an exhibition of leading organizing committees. The conference also examined the long-term, profile-raising benefits of the event-bidding process for cities and countries.
“To leave a lasting legacy is what every Olympic Games Host City strives for, and Chicago 2016 has a clear vision of the legacy we wish to leave for the city, the nation, the world and the Olympic Movement,” said Mark Mitten. “We are very grateful for the opportunities this informative forum provided, as we were able to meet with many experienced groups who have built an Olympic legacy in their own cities.”
The visit took place less than two weeks after Chicago 2016’s Applicant File was submitted to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), an important milestone in the bidding process.
Recently, Chicago 2016 hosted representatives from the U.S. national governing bodies of sport, who serve as the coordinating bodies for amateur athletic activity in the United States. The purpose of the visit was to introduce these influential leaders to Chicago 2016’s concept for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and to gather their feedback and engage them in conversations about the successful sporting events and legacy opportunities.
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.