News Release
CHICAGO 2016 ANNOUNCES SPORT DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR 2016 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES
Five Rings of Sport lays foundation for seven-year partnership with International Federations
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.
“Our plan for 2016 is based on strengthening sport and promoting its values in our city and across the country in the years leading up to 2016 and beyond,” said Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016.
Each ring corresponds to a key part of the plan:
· Ring 1 engages youth in the heart of the city in Olympic and Paralympic sport through a unique program called the Urban Youth Sport Initiative. The multifaceted program has already attracted more than 10,000 children.
· Ring 2 spreads that Initiative to cities across the United States through the support of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, an organization of hundreds of mayors that has endorsed the plan.
· Ring 3 integrates the resources of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the U.S. National Federations of sport into this developmental program.
· Ring 4 yields direct benefits for the international Olympic Family by expanding access to the USOC’s training sites and educational seminars, a program Chicago hopes to build upon at area universities.
· Ring 5 ensures organizational excellence in the competitions at the Games through a committed seven-year partnership between Chicago 2016 and the International Federations that govern sport around the world.
“If Chicago is chosen as Host City in 2016, we intend to develop a seven-year partnership with the International Federations that empowers us to leave a legacy of stronger, healthier and more prominent Olympic and Paralympic sport in the United States,” said Ryan. “With International Federation guidance, the Five Rings of Sport will help ensure that our plan works from the grassroots to the global level.”
The Five Rings of Sport establish a foundation for building friendships around the world, reinforcing Chicago 2016’s new tagline, “Let Friendship Shine.” Even as a Candidature City, Chicago is emerging as a new center of Olympic and Paralympic sport. The bid committee has drawn a critical mass of sport events, activities and expertise to the city. If the bid is successful, the international Olympic Family will have a new and growing power base of operations in the United States. If Chicago is chosen as Host City, five of Chicago’s proposed venues could one day become official USOC training sites, a designation that would draw athletes from across the nation and around the world.
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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.
Contact:
Mica Matsoff
+1.312.861.4826 (Chicago 2016 media line)
media@chicago2016.org