CHICAGO 2016 WELCOMES MARTIN LUTHER KING III TO CHICAGO 2016 OFFICE

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.

“It was an honor and a pleasure to host Mr. King today and to hear from someone who was intimately involved in city planning in Atlanta in the years prior to the Atlanta Games,” said Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016. “Mr. King speaks passionately about the positive impact the Games had on Atlanta and how the Olympic Movement brings the world together in peace through sport.”

Mr. King visited with bid leaders to gain further insight into Chicago’s plan for the Games as well as to hear about the accomplishments already realized from the bid’s legacy programming through World Sport Chicago. He also learned more about Chicago’s vision for making a lasting contribution to the Olympic Movement.

“My father lived in Chicago for a short time during his leadership of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He knew the inherent goodwill of many Chicagoans would eventually help the neediest of its citizens,” said King. “Today’s effort to bring the Olympic Games to Chicago is another opportunity to continue to move Chicago forward and to leave a legacy for the people of Chicago and the world to remember for decades to come. This—and the impact on the Olympic Movement overall—is why I support the bid.”