Press Releases
PRESS RELEASES
CHICAGO (February 10, 2010) - World Sport Chicago, a non-profit organization devoted to promoting sport to the youth of Chicago, will name 56 Chicago student-athletes as the inaugural class of WSC Scholars at their Winter Olympics Kick-Off and Youth Sport Event on Thursday, February 11th. The program, to be held at the Rink at Wrigley, will feature winter sport demonstrations and appearances by Olympians and Paralympians.
CHICAGO (November 18, 2009)—World Sport Chicago, The University of Chicago Crime Lab and other community partners are launching a new program designed to help society learn more about how to help boys avoid conflict and succeed in school and life.
CHICAGO (November 12, 2009)—Today, World Sport Chicago named Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016, chairman of the bid’s legacy organization. William Scherr, who previously held this position, has been named president. Michael Conley, who previously held the position of president, remains on the board of directors.
CHICAGO (November 5, 2009) -- The official Team USA line-up for the 2009 Chicago Cup is announced. The United States will send a talented team of men’s freestyle wrestlers to battle against Russia at the Chicago Cup, set for Sunday, Nov. 15 at Wright College.
CHICAGO (September 29, 2009)—Today, Chicago 2016, along with a number of Olympians and Paralympians and many of bid’s Supporters, visited a variety of sports clubs in Copenhagen, Denmark, to interact with local youth and participate in sport. Chicago 2016, through its legacy organization, World Sport Chicago, is dedicated to providing new and expanded opportunities for youth to get involved in sport. Chicago 2016 and World Sport Chicago have already impacted more than 300,000 youth in the U.S.
CHICAGO (September 10, 2009)—Representatives from Chicago 2016 returned this week after traveling to Bonn, Germany in support of the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) 20th Anniversary. With more than 350 guests, the celebration event included members of the Paralympic Movement and other personalities from the world of sport.
CHICAGO (September 8, 2009)— Chicago 2016 and its legacy organization, World Sport Chicago (WSC), announced today a new outreach program aimed at spreading the values and ideals of the Olympic Movement to youth within the United States. The Athlete Ambassador Program is a program that pairs Olympic and Paralympic athletes with children and youth sport organizations.
CHICAGO (September 3, 2009)—Today, Chicago 2016 and World Sport Chicago announced the launch of World Sport Chicago Scholars, created to help Chicago youth prepare for and succeed in college. Through this program, as many as 56 high school student athletes will receive assistance with college access and compete for scholarships of up to $10,000 per year for a total of four years. Funding for the scholarships is supported, in part, by a $900,000 grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur F
CHICAGO (August 27, 2009)—Today, Chicago 2016 hosted international human-rights activist and political leader Martin Luther King III in the bid committee’s office to discuss Chicago’s plan for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Mr. King held the post of Fulton County, GA, Commissioner for many years prior to the 1996 Olympic and Paralympic Games and is familiar with the bidding process and the many ways the Games transform the Host City.
CHICAGO (August 12, 2009)—The U.S. Olympic Committee’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony proved a success in Chicago’s effort to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, raising approximately $5 million for Chicago 2016 and its legacy organization in its “Sprint Through the Finish” campaign.
CHICAGO (August 4, 2009)—Hosted by World Sport Chicago, top youth soccer clubs from around the world and the Chicagoland area met in Chicago this weekend for the 2009 International Cup. The round robin tournament featured Chicago club teams and squads from Germany, South Africa and Nigeria. Nigeria 36 Lions White beat Nigeria 36 Lions Green 8-5 on Sunday morning to win the title. It was the second year the International Cup was hosted by World Sport Chicago, the legacy of Chicago’s bid for the 2
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 29, 2009)—Today, Chicago 2016 and World Sport Chicago were joined by members of Congress, Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and representatives from the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) on Capitol Hill for a day of sport demonstrations for youth. Additionally, both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate recently passed resolutions supporting Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Today’s event demonstrates that support and raises awareness and
CHICAGO (July 23, 2009)—Chicago 2016 and World Sport Chicago joined more than 1,500 children in celebrating the Olympic and Paralympic Games at a special event held today in Horner Park as part of the Chicago Park District summer camp. The event was the culmination of a summer full of activities undertaken by 30,000 youth as part of the Park District’s Olympic-themed summer camp.
CHICAGO (July 22, 2009)–Representatives from Chicago 2016 and the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA), along with Olympic hopeful Evan King, held a press conference today to announce Chicago will be home to three USTA Regional Training Center locations. The Midtown Tennis Club, Score Fitness and Tennis Club and the CARE Academy will comprise the Chicago Midwest Training Center Network.
Chicago (July 16, 2009)—World Sport Chicago, the living legacy of Chicago 2016, partnered with the Chicago Youth International Boxing Ambassadors and the Chicago Park District to send eleven local youth to Ireland for an amateur boxing contest last week. The youth fighters are some of Chicago’s most talented fighters and represent a great cross section of Chicago’s cultural and ethnic diversity.
Beyond Sport is delighted to announce that Chicago has been selected to be the Host City for the Beyond Sport Summit and Awards in 2010.
Chicago (July 8, 2009)–World Sport Chicago, the living legacy of Chicago 2016, has partnered with the Chicago Youth International Boxing Ambassadors and the Chicago Park District to establish a youth boxing exchange program with Ireland. Yesterday, the twelve Chicago-area amateur fighters left for Ireland to represent Chicago both as some of its most talented fighters and as a great cross section of Chicago’s cultural and ethnic diversity.
CHICAGO (July 2, 2009)—A delegation from Chicago 2016 will make a presentation at the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) General Assembly held on July 6-7 in Abuja, Nigeria. The delegation includes Chicago 2016 Chairman and CEO Patrick G. Ryan, World Sport Chicago President Michael Conley, United States International Olympic Committee member Anita De Frantz and United States Olympic Committee First Vice President of International Relations Bob Ctvrtlik. Conley, De Frant
CHICAGO (July 2, 2009)—For the third consecutive year, Chicago 2016 and World Sport Chicago (WSC) are showcasing Olympic and Paralympic sport at the Taste of Chicago. Visitors of all ages can take part in interactive demonstrations and clinics led by elite athletes and Olympians and Paralympians.
CHICAGO (June 26, 2009)—Next week, a delegation from Chicago 2016 will travel to Singapore to attend the 2009 Asian Youth Games, held June 29-July7. The delegation includes Director of Sport, Venues and Operations Doug Arnot, Committee Member Selim Bassoul, Senior Advisor Michael Kontos and United States Olympic Committee Director of International Strategies and Development Dragomir Cioroslan.
Lausanne, Switzerland (June 17, 2009)—Leaders of Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games detailed Chicago’s plan today and expressed the city’s excitement to members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
CHICAGO (June 16, 2009)—Working with the U.S. Conference of Mayors Olympic Task Force, Chicago 2016 is promoting the Olympic Movement and the importance of youth sport throughout the country. The U.S. Conference of Mayors passed a resolution this weekend supporting World Sport Chicago’s Urban Youth Sport Initiative. In addition, five cities agreed to work with World Sport Chicago in this effort to increase the involvement of urban youth in sport.
CHICAGO—(May 19, 2009)—World Sport Chicago, the living legacy of Chicago 2016, is preparing to host more than 250 athletes from 18 countries for the Pan-American, Ibero-American and USA National Weightlifting Championships taking place in Chicago from June 3-7 at the UIC Forum at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
CHICAGO 2016 AND WORLD SPORT CHICAGO LAUNCH MAYOR DALEY’S SUMMER TRACK PROGRAM New youth summer program expands Olympic sport opportunities for kids across Chicago
CHICAGO 2016 KICKS OFF OLYMPIC WEEK WITH OPENING CEREMONY AT MAYO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL More than 230,000 students throughout the Chicagoland area participate in week-long programming promoting Olympic values
Chicago 2016 Celebrates Olympic Week in America Week-long programming showcases Olympic values to more than 230,000 students throughout Chicagoland
CHICAGO (March 25, 2009)—Today, Chicago 2016 unveiled a comprehensive plan to develop Olympic and Paralympic sport should it be named the Host City for the2016 Games. The plan unfolds in five concentric circles—five rings—that reach from the heart of the city, to the shores of the nation, to the Olympic Family around the globe.
CHICAGO (March 25, 2009)— As they gathered at SportAccord in Denver for the first major international Olympic sport summit hosted in the U.S. since the Games in Salt Lake 2002, the U.S. National Governing Bodies (NGB) of sport expressed their unified support for the Chicago 2016 bid and its vision for sport development across the country.
SCHILLER PARK, Ill., March 10, 2009 – Life Fitness, in partnership with World Sport Chicago, today announced it is updating the fitness facilities at two Chicago public schools. Competing in the Olympic or Paralympic Games is an age-old dream of children and adults alike, and as the City of Chicago sets its sights on hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, World Sport Chicago and Life Fitness are building a series of training centers for students in Chicago that will enable them to work t
Olympic gold medalist in weightlifting Matthias Steiner will join Chicago 2016 and World Sport Chicago in unveiling a leading edge training facility at Lindblom Math & Science Academy. The facility represents one of two new workout centers installed at Chicago Public Schools by Chicago-based, Life Fitness a global leader in providing fitness equipment.
CHICAGO (February 19, 2009) – Dominique Dawes, Olympic Gold Medalist and member of the 1996 “Magnificent Seven” U.S. Gymnastics Team , has partnered with Chicago 2016 and World Sport Chicago to promote Sport and Olympic values to Chicago-area youth. Dawes was the first African-American to win an individual Olympic medal in artistic gymnastics and has participated in three Olympic Games.
CHICAGO (February 13, 2009)—Today, Chicago 2016 officially released its Candidature File, or bid book as it is commonly known, to the public following the official submission to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland. The bid book is a three-volume, nearly 600-page document that responds to 227 major questions posed to all Candidate Cities by the IOC. A press conference was held at the Chicago History Museum with representatives from Chicago 2016, the United States
Chicago 2016 announced today that the U.S. Mayors have officially endorsed Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Through the leadership of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Chicago 2016 is working with mayors from across the United States to promote the Olympic Movement.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Jan. 13, 2009 – Approximately 4,400 kids in the Chicago Park District gymnastics program will get a healthy start for 2009 by participating in the Tyson Fitness Challenge, a local six-week fitness initiative geared to help today’s youth achieve active, healthy lifestyles. USA Gymnastics partnered with Chicago 2016, World Sport Chicago and the Chicago Park District to hold the community-based activity to help promote the upcoming Tyson American Cup, scheduled for Feb. 21 at th
CHICAGO (December 27, 2008)—Today, Chicago 2016, World Sport Chicago (WSC), U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), and ten partner agencies, announced the launch of the Chicago Paralympic Development Program. The program is the first of its kind in the country, and it aims to provide the visually and physically impaired with the expertise and resources needed to get involved in Paralympic sports. It will officially begin operation in February 2009.
CHICAGO (December, 2008)—Today, Chicago 2016 and World Sport Chicago (WSC) announced its participation in Mayor Daley’s Holiday Sports Fest, December 27 – December 29, at McCormick Place. As part of the three-day event, Chicago 2016 and WSC will offer Chicagoland youth the opportunity to learn about and take part in a cross-section of Olympic and Paralympic sports. Admission is free with activities taking place daily from 10 AM – 4 PM. More than 80,000 kids are expected to attend this year’s eve
CHICAGO (November 13, 2008) – Chicago 2016 and World Sport Chicago (WSC) today announced that USA Gymnastics will host the 2009 American Cup gymnastics invitational in metropolitan Chicago. The competition, which has a legacy of showcasing the top international gymnasts, will be held February 21, 2009.
CHICAGO (October 31, 2008) – Today, World Sport Chicago (WSC), the living legacy of Chicago 2016, announced it is bringing three unique sport clinics to Chicago. During the month of November, Olympians and Olympic coaches will visit Chicago to conduct water polo, wrestling and track and field clinics for Chicago-area youth and coaches.
(July 28, 2008) Hamburg SV's under-15 team defeated a U.S. National team en route to a second-place finish at the 2008 World Sport Chicago International Cup.
(July 28, 2008) An under-15 team from Nigeria's 36 Lion Soccer Academy held opponents scoreless en route to winning the 2008 World Sport Chicago International Cup Sunday.
(July 11, 2008) Cuauhtémoc Blanco is no stranger to football glory. Next week, he'll watch as his under-15 academy team pursues international glory of its own.
(July 11, 2008) Premier under-15 club teams from Germany, Mexico, Nigeria and the United States will travel to the Windy City for the World Sport Chicago International Cup from July 24-27 at the University of Illinois-Chicago and Lake Forest Academy and College.
(June 30, 2008) Jud Smith, a 30-year veteran of Etchells racing, finished in the top 10 in three out of six races en route to a third place overall finish at the 2008 Etchells World Championship last week on Lake Michigan. Smith finished first in the fifth race of the competition and second in the fourth race to secure another top five finish in a storied career that includes the 2006 World Championship.
(June 30, 2008) Andy Beadsworth and co-skipper Dave Dwyer recovered from a slow start to secure a fifth place finish at the Etchells World Championship last week on Lake Michigan. After a 40th place finish on the first day of competition, Beadsworth and his crew vaulted up the leaderboard, finishing in the top five in the last three races.
(June 30, 2008) San Diego's Bill Hardesty posted four top 10 finishes en route to his first Etchells World Championship last week on Lake Michigan. Chris Busch, also of San Diego, came in second, and 2006 Champion Jud Smith finished third.
(June 26, 2008) Hank Lammens recovered from a slow start to secure a top 10 finish at the Etchells World Championship last week on Lake Michigan. After a 35th place finish on the first day of competition and a 43rd place finish in the third race, Lammens and his crew vaulted up the leaderboard behind a second place finish in the fifth race. They finished eighth overall.
(June 26, 2008) - Hank Lammens recovered from a slow start to secure a top 10 finish at the Etchells World Championship last week on Lake Michigan. After a 35th place finish on the first day of competition and a 43rd place finish in the third race, Lammens and his crew vaulted up the leaderboard behind a second place finish in the fifth race. They finished eighth overall.
(June 23, 2008) Today the City of Chicago celebrated Olympic Day by hosting races for more than 450 day campers across the city. Olympic Day, which dates back to June 23, 1894, commemorates the day French educator Baron Pierre de Coubertin began to revive the Olympic Games, and also marks the formation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
(June 17, 2008) Some of the best sailors from around the globe will compete in the 2008 International Etchells World Championship, held this year at Chicago Yacht Club's Belmont Harbor Station. This prestigious event is rotated between continents annually and will run in Chicago from June 21 - June 28, 2008.
(June 17, 2008) Elizabeth Altman and Justin Palm are poised to take on the world's best in their own backyard. Altman and Palm, both of whom hail from Chicago, will race in the 2008 International Etchells World Championship at the Chicago Yacht Club's Belmont Harbor Station from June 21-28.
(June 17, 2008) Before the world's premier skippers compete in one of the most prestigious international sailing competitions, they will first sail with students from Chicago's Rickover Naval Academy in a harbor race at Belmont Harbor Station on June 20.
(June 16, 2008) Bill Mauk, an eight-year veteran of Etchells racing, is poised to take on the world's best once again. Mauk will race in the 2008 International Etchells World Championship at the Chicago Yacht Club's Belmont Harbor Station from June 21-28.
(May 29, 2008) On June 21-28, Chicago's magnificent lakefront is the venue for the 2008 Etchells World Championship Regatta. The event is presented by World Sport Chicago (WSC), the "living legacy" of Chicago 2016's Olympic Games bid, and hosted by the Chicago Yacht Club.
(February 6, 2008) In the spirit of international competition, USA Wrestling and World Sport Chicago wrapped up a successful second staging of the Chicago Cup, a wrestling event featuring men's and women's athletes from Bulgaria, Poland and the United States.
(January 24, 2008) On Tuesday, February 5th, World Sport Chicago, in conjunction with USA Wrestling, will host the Second Annual Chicago Cup at Northwestern University's Welsh-Ryan Arena in McGaw Hall. Tickets are available now.
(December 3, 2007) World Sport Chicago will mark the official launch of its International Sport Exchange Program when a ten-member delegation from the Slovak Republic visits Lane Technical High School at 3:30 pm on Monday, December 3rd. The group, which consists of four wrestlers, four judokas, a judo coach and a wrestling coach (three-time Olympian Jozef Lohyňa) will meet with the wrestling team from Lane Tech and offer a short demonstration of wrestling and judo followed by a Q&A session to ex
(October 17, 2007) World Sport Chicago will join the International Boxing Association (AIBA) and USA Boxing to host the 2007 World Championships from October 17 - November 1 at the University of Illinois-Chicago Pavilion, it was announced recently.
(September 1, 2007) After reviewing proposals from organizations in communities across America, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) announced that World Sport Chicago is one of eleven organizations to receive a grant from the newly created Olympic Opportunity Fund. The grants are awarded to programs focused on increasing diversity and youth participation in Olympic and Paralympic sport.
(September 1, 2007) With the goal of introducing Boxing to young people who otherwise might not be exposed to the sport, World Sport Chicago is formally launching its new Gloves Not Guns Program today in cooperation with USA Boxing, the Police Athletic League, and the Chicago Park District.
CHICAGO (June 20, 2007) - World Sport Chicago, along with USA Volleyball and the International Federation of Volleyball (FIVB), presented its second major international sporting event when the U.S. Men's National Team took on Italy in two 2007 World League Volleyball matches on June 15-16 at the Emil and Patricia A. Jones Convocation Center on the campus of Chicago State University.
(June 5, 2007) Taste Sports! feeds the athlete and fan in you. Interactive demonstrations, Olympic athletes, Chicago professional athletes and mascots representing the Chicago Fire, White Sox, Bulls and Sky, along with group workouts, Comedy Sportz and endless entertainment for the sports enthusiast. New this year, Taste Sports! is located on the southwest corner of the Buckingham.
(May 23, 2007) Local elementary school students compete in events and demonstrate their athletic ability in Basketball, Soccer, USTA Rapid Rally Tennis and Track & Field as a part of the United States Olympic Committee Jr. Skills Competition. The competition gives potential future Olympians the chance to showcase their talent today.
(May 10, 2007) Windy City Weightlifting, in alliance with World Sport Chicago, WCS Physical Therapy and WCS/Gattone Sports Performance, will host the 2007 USA Weightlifting National Championship from May 11-13 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center. The 2007 National Championship is the primary qualifier for the 2007 World Weightlifting Championships, which will be held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and is also the primary qualifier for the 2007 Pan American Games, which will be held
(May 10, 2007) World Sport Chicago, along with USA Volleyball and the International Federation of Volleyball (FIVB), will present its second major international sporting event with the U.S. men's national team vs. Italy, a 2007 World League Volleyball match on June 15-16 at the Emil and Patricia A. Jones Convocation Center on the campus of Chicago State University.
(April 5, 2007) World Sport Chicago is teaming up with USG Sheetrock, 8 Count Productions and Corona to present the legendary Chicago Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament at St. Andrews Gym on 1658 W. Addison Street.
(March 15, 2007) World Sport Chicago, in alliance with the New York Athletic Club (NYAC) and Illinois Water Polo (IWP), will host the Paul Wacker Invitational, a water polo tournament from March 16-18 at the Norris Aquatics Center on the campus of Northwestern University. World Sport Chicago is non-profit organization that was formed to promote the development of amateur sport and international competition in the Chicagoland area.
(February 7, 2007) The 2007 Chicago Cup, the first major event presented by World Sport Chicago, drew a near-capacity crowd at Northwestern's Welsh-Ryan Arena on Tuesday evening to watch the United States National Wrestling Team take on the Russian World Champions.
(January 31, 2007) World Sport Chicago, in alliance with Chicago 2016 and the City of Chicago, will present its first major event on Feb. 6 with the 2007 Chicago Cup: USA vs. Russian World Champions, an exhibition wrestling match at the Welsh-Ryan Arena on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Il.
CONTACT US
Questions about sponsorships, programs or volunteer opportunities?
Call us today to find out how you can support sport participation.
Address:
World Sport Chicago
200 E. Randolph St.
20th Floor
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone:
312.861.4850