Chicago 2016 Celebrates Olympic Week in America
Olympic Week in America (May 5–9) is a school-based educational-enrichment program that will excite and educate students about the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Chicago 2016 has signed up 50 area elementary schools to participate in a range of activities that introduce students to Olympic and Paralympic sport and highlight the values of the Olympic Movement. The program features a different theme on each day and offers lessons plans to help students improve their basic skills in core subject as well as athletics.
Check out a summary of each day’s activities, watch videos and see photos from the participating schools below.
Day 5 Recap
Day 4 Recap
Day 3 Recap
Day 2 Recap
Day 1 Recap
Shining a light on Chicago’s multiculturalism
To celebrate Chicago’s diversity, we’ll be highlighting many of the ethnicities that combine to make the city a rich tapestry of people and cultures. Chicago’s unique communities all have stories to tell—from their city-renowned events and local establishments to their rich histories—and are a testament to how the city welcomes and embraces people from all backgrounds. Check back frequently in the coming months as new profiles are added.
Chicago 2016 Draws Support from Cubs and Sox Players
With the Major League Baseball season set to start next week, players from both of the city's professional baseball teams took time out from the final days of spring training camp to voice their support for Chicago's bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The city's passionate sports fans are high on the players' list of reasons that Chicago would provide a perfect atmosphere for the Games. Each year around eight million tickets are sold for sporting events in the Chicago area. In 2007, a combined six million spectators attended games at Wrigley Field and U.S. Cellular Field. Players also cited the city's many cultural institutions, world-class restaurants, entertainment attractions, accessibility and the beaches and lakefront.
"The fans in Chicago are passionate and loyal. They stand by their guys, they stand by their teams. From the Cubs and the White Sox to the Bears and the Bulls, every team is supported well and supported strong. And the fans, they are loud, they are excited and they show up to every game," said White Sox catcher A. J. Pierzynski.
Several other players listed the city's many attributes as providing something for all visitors to enjoy. Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa stated, "I think Chicago should host the 2016 Olympic Games because of everything the city embodies: working-class city, great beaches, and great restaurants.” Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry added, "We have the nicest fans in the world, the greatest restaurants, the cleanest downtown area; we have the best of everything."
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WELCOME TO CHICAGO 2016!
Welcome to the Official Site for Chicago 2016. We are dedicated to strengthening the Olympic Movement and hosting the 2016 Games in Chicago. To bring the Games to Chicago, we need everyone in the community to show their support. Let’s Stir the Soul™ of Chicago and the world. Together we can achieve this goal.
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