Chicago bid chief Patrick Ryan discusses Chicago’s cultural, philanthropic and business ties to Africa while IOC member Anita DeFrantz looks on. (ATR/Panasonic:Lumix)(ATR) Chicago 2016 drew on one of its most obvious connections to Africa by unveiling a new video featuring President Barack Obama for a presentation to the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa in Abuja, Nigeria.
Going first among the four bid cities in Abuja, Chicago bid chief Patrick Ryan discussed Chicago’s cultural, philanthropic and business ties to Africa.
But Obama was the highlight for Chicago, which encountered some questions when the U.S. President did not appear in a video during the presentation to the IOC last month in Lausanne.
Obama, the son of a Kenyan immigrant, promised the U.S. government would “work as a committed partner” in Chicago’s quest to host the great and historic Games,” although he didn’t discuss finances.
“While you and I live in different parts of the world, we share a common bond, a bond rooted in our shared love of sport and our appreciation for the values it teaches, particularly to our young people – teamwork, dedication, courage and honor,” Obama said.
“From the very beginning, I have fully supported Chicago’s dream of hosting the 2016 Games. If Chicago is selected for this honor, we will ensure that the Olympic and Paralympic are a key priority for our nation. That’s why I established a White House office of Olympic Paralympic and youth sport to serve the Games.”
At the end of the video, Ryan told the gathering, “As you can see, President Obama gave the full weight of his authority” to the bid effort.
Ryan was pleased with Chicago’s performance, which clocked in at 16 minutes and 20 seconds, within the framework set by Zambian IOC member Patrick S. Chamunda, who was presiding.
Chamunda said that cities could exceed the 15-minute time limit by a minute or two.
“We stayed on time and on schedule,” Ryan told Around the Rings. “We thought we covered some new territory, some new ideas, and we had a wonderful video of President Obama talking about his commitment to the Olympic spirit, principles and values in sport. He showed his real support for our bid, which he’s been doing all along, but it was nice to show it here.”
Ryan said Obama was asked to do the video a couple of weeks ago.
Ryan said Chicago’s presentation in Copenhagen before the Oct. 2 vote will be different “because now they understand the technical bids. Now I think they want to know the vision of each city, why it’s important for Chicago.”
Chicago was the only bid city which did not have its NOC president – in the USOC’s case, board chairman Larry Probst -- as part of the presentation. Bob Ctvrtlik, vice president of international relations, served that role.
“The board of directors chose me to lead the process three years ago,” Ctvrtlik told ATR. “Even though we have new leadership who is very much behind the bid, they wanted to keep continuity with who’s been the USOC representative in the process.”
Chicago’s other presenters were IOC member Anita DeFrantz, who began the presentation, and Michael Conley, triple jump Olympic champion and president of World Sport Chicago.
Written by
Karen Rosen
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