CHICAGO 2016, OLYMPIANS, PARALYMPIANS AND SUPPORTERS VISIT SPORTS CLUBS IN COPENHAGEN

Olympians and Paralympians interact with youth during sport club visits

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. through sport and values education.

“Chicago 2016 and World Sport Chicago have made youth a focus of our bid and a key component of our legacy plans,” said Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016. “We appreciate the opportunity to visit with local sports clubs in Copenhagen to learn more about sport in this city, and to bring world-class athletes to meet with the children and others. Today’s events demonstrate again that sport transcends geography and culture.”

Chicago 2016’s delegation to Copenhagen includes more than 25 Olympic and Paralympic athletes and other sports stars, many of whom took part in today’s events at local sports clubs, including:

·         Gymnastic icons Nadia Comaneci, Bart Conner and Nastia Liukin attended an event at Gymnastikforeningen Hermes.

·         Basketball star Dikembe Mutombo attended an event alongside Olympic baskeball player David Robinson at Stevnsgade Basketball Klub. 

·         Athletics Olympians Willie Banks, Michael Johnson and Connie Moore attended an event at the Amager Atletik Klub.

·         Rhythmic gymnastics Olympian Diane Simpson-Bundy attended an event at a gymnastics club.

·         Olympic boxer David Diaz attended an event at IF Sparta Boxing.

·         Judo Olympian Bob Berland attended an event at Judoklubben Mitani.

·         Paralymic volleyball player Paul Moran attended an event at Idrætsforeningen Lavia.

·         Football Olympian Brandi Chastain attended an event at BK Frem.

·         Olympic swimmer Gary Hall, Jr., attended an event at Svømmeklubben KVIK.

·         Retired NFL player and Danish native Morten Andersen attended an American football event at Avedøre Monarchs.

The athletes in Copenhagen this week with the Chicago 2016 delegation will attend many events alongside hundreds of Supporters who have traveled to Denmark to show their support for Chicago’s bid.