Bid committee continues to bring Olympic and Paralympic sport to Chicago youth

CHICAGO (July 23, 2009)—Chicago 2016 and World Sport Chicago joined more than 1,500 children in celebrating the Olympic and Paralympic Games at a special event held today in Horner Park as part of the Chicago Park District summer camp. The event was the culmination of a summer full of activities undertaken by 30,000 youth as part of the Park District’s Olympic-themed summer camp.

“Our strong partnership with the Chicago Park District allowed us to augment existing programming to reach a large number of Chicago’s youth this summer and expose them not only to Olympic and Paralympic sports, but also to the values and ideals of the Olympic Movement,” said Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016. “As a Candidate City for the 2016 Games, we are dedicated to leaving a lasting legacy, specifically as it relates to youth programs.”

To kick off the event, campers participated in an Opening Ceremony that included six torch runners, followed by an introduction of the children from 89 different parks, each representing a different country and carrying its respective flag. Olympic curler Anne Swisshelm attended the celebration and interacted with the kids and Olympic hopeful Stephanie Miller provided an archery demonstration.

The summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games theme brought many new sport and fitness activities to the children enrolled in the camp program at various neighborhood parks. Today’s event showcased the children’s enthusiasm for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and demonstrated World Sport Chicago’s commitment to engaging the community and keeping the city’s children active through sports programming.

As the living legacy of Chicago 2016, World Sport Chicago aims to promote on-going participation in sport for area youth. Since its inception, World Sport Chicago has worked through strategic partnerships with local organizations such as the Chicago Park District, the City of Chicago and the Chicago Public Schools to promote recreational and competitive sport programs throughout the region.

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About Chicago 2016
Chicago 2016 is a 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to seek the privilege of hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Chicago. The committee’s board consists of business, civic, athletic, cultural and academic leaders representing Chicago and the surrounding Midwest region. Patrick Ryan serves as the organization’s chairman and CEO.

Contact:
Chicago 2016 Media Line
+1.312.861.4826
media@chicago2016.org