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Letter from Pat Ryan
Dear 2016 Supporter,
I’m writing to you from the IAAF World Championships in Berlin, where I witnessed history in the making with Usain Bolt’s world record performance in the 100 meters. A few weeks ago, I was with the Chicago 2016 team in Rome for the FINA World Championships and saw Michael Phelps and a host of others set 43 world records. In addition to giving me the opportunity to continue to tell the story of our bid to international sport leaders, these events have given me a glimpse into what a Games in Chicago could be like.
As I thought about what I’d seen, I imagined the effect it would have on young people who watched these athletes—on television, on the Internet—and read about their feats. And I also thought about the citywide track meet that capped off Chicago’s Summer Track Program. More than 300 youth from across the city participated in the event, which included a parade of athletes. They have already begun to pursue their dreams.
That’s why I got involved in this bid—for the youth of our city and to support sport. Chicago 2016 has laid a foundation for what we can accomplish if we’re awarded the 2016 Games. As we come down the home stretch, we should emulate Usain Bolt in Berlin—eyes on the finish line with no intention of letting up.
Your support is more important than ever. Click here to find out how you can support bringing the Games to Chicago. Together, we can achieve this dream.
All the best,
Pat Ryan
Chairman and CEO
Chicago 2016
3,600 attend USOC Hall of Fame to Support Chicago 2016
Chicago youth and communities were the big winners at the 2009 Induction Ceremony for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, which also served as a fund-raiser for Chicago 2016. Most of the money raised will be devoted to World Sport Chicago, the legacy organization created by Chicago 2016 to engage young people in sport, promote Olympic values and produce a lasting legacy of Chicago’s bid for the Games.
Nearly 3,600 guests enjoyed dinner and saw a who’s who of Olympic and Paralympic inductees such as Michael Johnson (athletics), Picabo Street (alpine skiing), Sarah Will (skiing), the 1992 men's basketball “Dream Team,” and many others.
The ceremony was held at McCormick Place, Chicago 2016's proposed site for eleven Olympic and eight Paralympic sports and the International Broadcast Center and Main Press Center. The event will be broadcast nationally on NBC on Saturday, September 5 at 2pm EST.
30-Day Countdown Event in Hyde Park
 Chicago 2016 will celebrate the 30-day countdown to the IOC’s October 2nd decision with an evening of networking, drinks and hors d’oeuvres on Wednesday, September 2 at Park 52 restaurant in Hyde Park.
Athletes and members of the Chicago 2016 bid team will be on hand to discuss how the Games will continue to positively benefit the South Side community.
Located at 5201 South Harper Avenue, Park 52 is just a few blocks from Washington Park, where the proposed Olympic Stadium and aquatics venue would be located.
The event is hosted by Chicago 2016’s Next Generation Leadership Advisory Council. Tickets are $30. All proceeds benefit Chicago 2016. To purchase tickets in advance, go to www.chicago2016.org/park52.
Chicago 2016 Summer Sports Roundup
Summer in Chicago saw an array of Olympic sport sponsored by Chicago 2016 and its legacy organization, World Sport Chicago (WSC).
In June, 200 men and women across a range of weight classes took part in the Pan American Weightlifting Championships. The athletes competed over three days at the UIC Forum at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
 June also saw the kickoff of Mayor Daley’s Summer Track Program, a free, citywide program for 8- to 14-year-olds. The track program featured instruction and inspiration from Olympians Bob Beamon and Gail Devers and introduced kids to one of the oldest Olympic sports. More than 300 kids from across Chicago participated in a series of track meets that culminated in a city championship on Sunday, August 16.
The month of July featured the WSC Youth Soccer Championships. Premier under-15 club teams from Canada, Germany, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, South Africa and the United States competed over five days at locations throughout Chicago. Teams from Nigeria won first and second places, with Chicago coming in third.
Also in July, WSC partnered with the Chicago Park District to send a contingent of 11 young –boxers to Ireland to compete. The young athletes fought an Irish team in Cork and Galway. The teams split the first match, 5-5, and Ireland won the second 5-4.
WSC also sponsored the Chicago Park District’s 41-member, Junior Olympic–qualifying water polo team to Stanford, California to compete in the national championships.
To cap off the summer, WSC, in concert with Badminton Chicago and the Chicago Park District, provided badminton camps for more than 1,000 children ages 6–12.
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