Chicago 2016 Travels to Olympic Games in Beijing for Official Candidate City Observer Program
Mayor Richard M. Daley, Chairman Patrick G. Ryan and Olympic bid delegation to attend Olympic Games, festivities and celebration in Beijing
CHICAGO (July 31, 2008) – Chicago 2016 announced today that representatives from the Olympic bid committee will travel to Beijing for the Olympic and Paralympic Games as a Candidate City vying for the 2016 Games. The delegation, including Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016 and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, will attend the Games to obtain a better understanding of what it means to be a Host City. Candidate Cities Madrid, Spain; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Tokyo, Japan, will also participate in the Observer Program.
“This trip is a wonderful opportunity for us to share our plans and our vision for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as to listen and learn as we watch the City of Beijing host the 2008 Games,” said Mayor Daley.
“The Beijing Games represent unprecedented access to the activities of a Host City, and we look forward to sharing in Beijing’s success as the Games get underway,” said Ryan. “This is an exciting time for the Olympic Movement and we are honored to attend the Games in an official capacity.”
The delegation, which includes members of the Chicago 2016 board and staff, Olympians and members of the Chicago community, will participate in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Observer Program and will have the opportunity to introduce Chicago to an international audience and provide a glimpse into the city’s plans for hosting the 2016 Games. They will also interact with members of international sport organizations to gain feedback and insight that will help strengthen Chicago’s bid. Members of the delegation will also attend the opening ceremony and many sporting events.
“This will be a particularly exciting time in Chicago, and we know Chicagoans are eager to celebrate the Games and show their support for the athletes,” said Ryan. “It will also be a proud time for the more than 100,000 Chinese-Americans living in Chicago watching the Games in Beijing.”
During the Olympic Games in Beijing, Chicago 2016 staff, Olympians and Paralympians and ambassadors from the Olympic Youth Camp will share their experiences on the Chicago 2016 blog at www.blog.chicago2016.org.
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