As this exciting process races forward, I’m continuously struck by the values of the Olympic Movement. Excellence, integrity, joy in effort and respect for one another. These words help explain the Olympic Games, and they help remind those of us at Chicago 2016 of the significance of the opportunity to host the Games. Thanks for your continued interest, and have a wonderful holiday season.

Mayor Daley and Pat Ryan were the keynote speakers at the sold-out December meeting of the Economic Club of Chicago. Nearly 2,000 of Chicago’s business leaders came out to support the bid and hear more about the plans for the 2016 Chicago Games. Bill Kurtis, the famous television journalist, moderated the question and-answer portion of the event.

Mayor Daley and Pat Ryan continued their Olympic education with a recent trip to Barcelona, Spain, where they studied the success of the 1992 Olympic Games. The 1992 Olympic Games were considered to be one of the most successful Olympic Games of the modern era, transforming Barcelona into the city that it is today. Mayor Daley and Mr. Ryan met with Games organizers and city officials and toured various sites, including the seaside Olympic Stadium.

Like Barcelona, Chicago’s plan to host the 2016 Games centers on compactness and use of the City’s lakefront.

Furthering the legacy of environmental stewardship that Chicago is now known for, a goal for Chicago 2016 is to incorporate sustainability wherever possible. To that end, the Chicago 2016 Committee is evaluating strategies and technologies to that will be environmentally restorative rather than destructive. For example, the designers of the Olympic Village will seek to achieve extremely aggressive reductions in energy and water consumption, to use local and regional building materials, and to rely on power generated by on-site renewable energy sources.

The 15th Asian Games, the largest sporting event in Asia, concluded in Doha (Qatar) on Dec. 15. International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Jacques Rogge, as well as many other members of the IOC attended the opening ceremony at Khalifa Stadium.

The Doha Asian Games played host to more than 10,500 athletes from 45 countries and regions, competing in 46 disciplines across 39 sports in 424 events. The Asian Games began in 1951 and included only 11 countries competing in six sports. The Doha 2006 Games represent the second time that the Games have been held in the Middle East, after Tehran in 1974.

“I’m thrilled to be part of this process. Chicago 2016 has made enormous strides thus far in our effort to showcase our magnificent city and embrace the greatness of the Olympic Games. As I’ve said before, our plans for the Games are staggering. We intend to host an Olympic Games in, and of, the city, that will provide the athletes with an experience of a lifetime. I look forward to my continuing role on the committee and contributing my perspective and experience in every way that I can.”
— Miles D. White Chairman and CEO, Abbott Laboratories Vice-Chairman, Chicago 2016 Committee

“Bringing the Olympic Games to Chicago is truly a fantastic idea, and I’m thrilled to be a part of the process. Everyone knows Chicago is a fantastic sports town, and bringing the Games here will ensure that the great people of Chicago are exposed to all of the Olympic sports as well as the Olympic Ideals. As a life-long resident of Illinois I am proud to lend my experience and expertise to the effort. As a swimmer I’m particularly excited about the prospect of a new world-class aquatic facility that will fill a void now missing from the Chicago and Illinois aquatics landscape. I’m honored to have been invited to participate in the designing and planning of such a facility, and I believe it will be one of the great legacies from the Chicago Games.”
— David E. Sims, 1980 U.S. Olympian, swimming Principal, Lodging Capital Partners, LLC

Sadly, the Midwest Chapter of U.S.O.C. Olympic Alumni Assoc. recently lost an early beacon for women’s sports. Former world record-holder and two-time Olympic gold medal winner Annette Rogers Kelly of Niles, IL, passed away on Nov. 8. Annette competed in the 1932 Los Angeles and 1936 Berlin Games and won gold medals in the 4 X 100 Track and Field Relay. Annette attended Senn High School and Northwestern University, and was a member of the U.S. Track and Field Hall of Fame, Chicago Sports Hall of Fame and the Northwestern Athletic Hall of Fame. The Chicago City Council recognized Ms. Kelly’s achievements as a Citizen of Chicago on Nov. 15, in a signed proclamation by Mayor Daley.

On December 28, Mayor Daley will be hosting a youth sports festival at McCormick Place. More than 80,000 people are expected to attend. Chicago 2016 will have a large presence, with Olympians and athletes delivering small presentations and demonstrations, and allowing for youth to participate in a cross-section of Olympic and Paralympic sports.