News Release
Chicago 2016 to Attend Asian Youth Games
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.
The bid committee will attend the Games to show its support for the young athletes and to share information about Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games with leaders of sport in attendance. Youth sport is a central theme of World Sport Chicago, Chicago 2016’s legacy organization. Through its Urban Youth Sport Initiative, Chicago 2016 and World Sport Chicago have established programs that positively engage youth and help them to develop life skills.
“The Asian Youth Games are a wonderful chance for young people to take part in sport and international competition,” said Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO. “At Chicago 2016 and World Sport Chicago, we think that sport can be a true agent of social change, and we strive to promote the ideals of fair play, teamwork, respect and leadership to young people throughout the world.”
The Asian Youth Games in Singapore will feature more than 1,000 athletes from 42 Asian countries competing in 10 sports.
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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 consists of business, civic, athletic, cultural and academic leaders representing Chicago and the surrounding Midwest region. Patrick Ryan serves as the organization’s chairman and CEO.
About World Sport Chicago
World Sport Chicago (WSC) is an Illinois not-for-profit working to enhance the image, awareness and participation in Olympic sports across Chicago and to extend Chicago’s international outreach through and for sport and youth. Focused on promoting the development of recreational and competitive sport to the area’s youth, WSC works closely with Chicago 2016 and Chicago’s 2016’s Athlete Advisory Council (AAC) to provide sport expertise and athlete insight to the execution of these sporting events. WSC intends to aid Chicago in developing a sustainable, international sporting legacy as a real agent of social change for the city. William Scherr, an Olympic medalist in wrestling, is chairman of the board and Scott Myers serves as the executive director.
Contact:
Chicago 2016 Media Line
+1 312-861-4826
media@chicago2016.org