World Sport Chicago Partners with Boxing Ambassadors to Send Chicago Youth to Ireland
 Youth depart for Ireland to participate in program promoting cross cultural exchange in the spirit of sports

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.

The program, which represents “best in class” 13- to 15-year-old boxers, was designed to promote cross-cultural exchange in the spirit of sport.

“World Sport Chicago and Chicago 2016 are dedicated to advancing youth sport in Chicago and creating new opportunities for youth to participate in a variety of Olympic and Paralympic sports,” said Bill Scherr, chairman of World Sport Chicago and director of sport for Chicago 2016. “Youth exchanges like this one are a key part of providing our youth not only a great sports experience but also broadening their awareness and understanding of other people and cultures.”

In addition to its partnership with the Boxing Ambassadors, World Sport Chicago has already reached over 30,000 children through its efforts in the last three years, working with a number of groups, including the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Public Schools and national sport governing bodies, to introduce Olympic and Paralympic sport and create awareness of various programs throughout the city. Through its Urban Youth Sport Initiative, World Sport Chicago encourages positive engagement and the development of life skills among urban youth.

The boxing team is scheduled to compete in Cork, Ireland, on July 10 and Galway on July 12 before returning home. The team will host the Irish Team in Chicago in March of 2010.

“Only the combined efforts of the Chicago Park District and World Sport Chicago can trigger this kind of unique magic for Chicago and Ireland audiences,” said Pat Hogan, Chicago Tournament Coordinator.  “These athletes will proudly represent our city and country in Ireland and then we get to do it all again back here in Chicago. The Chicago Park District Boxing Program is one of the premier training grounds for amateur boxers in the United States.  They have bragging rights—five members of the US Boxing Olympic Team trained in their program in the last 10 years alone.”