World Sport Chicago supports program promoting sport and cultural exchange

Chicago (July 16, 2009)—World Sport Chicago, the living legacy of Chicago 2016, partnered with the Chicago Youth International Boxing Ambassadors and the Chicago Park District to send eleven local youth to Ireland for an amateur boxing contest last week. The youth fighters are some of Chicago’s most talented fighters and represent a great cross section of Chicago’s cultural and ethnic diversity.

“We are thrilled to see that the kids had a great time in Ireland, learning about another culture and participating in sport,” said Bill Scherr, chairman of World Sport Chicago and director of sport for Chicago 2016. “We hope this exchange program has opened their eyes to the possibilities that sport can provide and heightened their interest in pursuing their goals—sport or otherwise.”

The program was designed to promote cross-cultural exchange in the spirit of sport. The team competed in Cork on July 10 and in Galway on July 12. In Cork, the teams split five matches a piece; in Galway, the Irish team won 5-4. While in Ireland, the youth were invited to special luncheons hosted by the Lord Mayor’s of Cork and Galway.

The Chicago boxers were chosen not only for their athletic ability, but also for their sportsmanship and ability to positively represent Chicago and the United States in Ireland. Plans are already underway for Chicago to host the Irish team in March 2010.

Chicagoan Pat Hogan, the tournament coordinator for Chicago, is a native Irishman who was born and raised in Galway.

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.

About World Sport Chicago
World Sport Chicago (WSC) is an Illinois not-for-profit working to enhance the image, awareness and participation in Olympic sports across Chicago and to extend Chicago’s international outreach through and for sport and youth. Focused on promoting the development of recreational and competitive sport to the area’s youth, WSC works closely with Chicago 2016 and Chicago’s 2016’s Athlete Advisory Council (AAC) to provide sport expertise and athlete insight to the execution of these sporting events. WSC intends to aid Chicago in developing a sustainable, international sporting legacy as a real agent of social change for the city. William Scherr, an Olympic medalist in wrestling, is chairman of the board and Scott Myers serves as the executive director.

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