World Sport Chicago is partnering with USA Track & Field, the Track & Field Athletes Union, the Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Park District, the Chicago-based Friends of Track & Field and many others in developing a program aimed at revitalizing a passion in the sport of track & field. Through an Olympic Opportunity Grant from the United States Olympic Committee, WSC and its partners have worked together to organize a series of initiatives featuring elite athletes, local coaches and leaders in the athletics community. The program seeks to increase entry level participation in the sport and provide opportunities for kids currently involved in track and field to practice and train.
WSC has hosted weekend training camps featuring elite athletes, coaches, and Olympians for local young track & field athletes. We have also provided community networking tools targeted specifically to the track & field community. With notable sources of inspiration and a strong youth network around the sport, Chicago track & field programs can attract and retain talented athletes. Through these athletes Chicago may once again come to be known as a center for fostering elite US champions.
In November 2008, WSC hosted Olympians Jon Drummond, Jaimie Nieto, Sheena Tosta, Hazel Clark, and local Chicagoan Connie Moore in the first of our weekend training camp series. Students from the Chicago Public Schools were able to attend small group training sessions and work directly with the Olympians on ways they can improve their sport both on the field and off. In addition to training, the clinics also featured a question and answer session, lessons on Olympic values, and a special coaches clinic for those in attendance. In the end, it was a memorable experience for all involved.
In the Summer of 2009, WSC partnered with the Friends of Track and Field in presenting the first annual Mayor Daley's Summer Track Program. This aldermanic ward based initiative had participation from almost half of the city's wards in a summer long introductory track program.
WSC is committed to continuing it's efforts promoting and developing the spirit of Chicago-based Track and Field.