2016 Summer Olympics bids
Overview The deadline for the submission of bids to host the 2016 Summer Olympics (formally known as Games of the XXXI Olympiad) by the national Olympic committees (NOCs) is scheduled to 2007-09-13 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). ...
2016 Summer Olympics
Details
City	Chicago, Illinois, United States
NOC	United States Olympic Committee (USOC)
Previous games hosted
None (It was elected to host the 1904 Summer Olympics, but they were transferred to St. Louis in a 14-2 vote of the IOC).[1]

The Chicago 2016 Olympic bid is the attempt by the city of Chicago and the United States — with the support of other cities, townships and villages in the state of Illinois — to be chosen by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympics. In the event of Chicago being selected by the IOC, the 2016 Games will be the first Summer Olympics held in the Americas since the 1996 Atlanta Games. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The 2016 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, is a major international sports and cultural festival to be celebrated in the tradition of the Olympic Games as governed by the International Olympic Committee. ... For other uses, see Chicago (disambiguation). ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Largest metro area Chicago Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (140,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... National Olympic Committees (or NOCs) are the national constituents of the worldwide olympic movement. ... The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is a non-profit organization that serves as the National Olympic Committee (NOC) for the United States and coordinates the relationship between the United States Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency and various international sports federations. ... The 1904 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the III Olympiad, were held in St. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Missouri Coordinates: , Country State County Independent City Government  - Mayor Francis G. Slay (D) Area  - City  66. ... For other uses, see Chicago (disambiguation). ... A civil township is a widely-used unit of local government in the United States, subordinate to a county. ... // The word village has many meanings relating to local government in the United States. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      A U.S. state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Largest metro area Chicago Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (140,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... Stamp The International Olympic Committee (French: Comité International Olympique) is an organization based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas on June 23, 1894. ... The 2016 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, is a major international sports and cultural festival to be celebrated in the tradition of the Olympic Games as governed by the International Olympic Committee. ... Poster for the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp. ... World map showing the Americas CIA political map of the Americas in an equal-area projection The Americas are the lands of the New World, consisting of the continents of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions. ... The 1996 Summer h Olympics, formally known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and informally known as the Centennial Olympics, were held in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. ...

Currently, seven cities have submitted formal applications: Baku (Azerbaijan), Chicago (USA), Doha (Qatar), Madrid (Spain), Prague (Czech Republic), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Tokyo (Japan).^[2] The shortlist finalists will be named by the IOC in June 2008.^[3]The final selection will be made on October 2, 2009, in Copenhagen, Denmark.^[3][4] For other uses, see Chicago (disambiguation). ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... Madrid, the capital city of Spain, will be officially bidding for the 2016 Summer Olympics. ... The Rio 2016 Olympic bid is the attempt by the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to be chosen by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympics. ... Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, will be officially bidding for the 2016 Summer Olympics. ... is the 275th day of the year (276th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2009 (MMIX) will be a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article needs cleanup. ...

If Chicago is chosen, the games will be hosted from July 22 to August 7, 2016. is the 203rd day of the year (204th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2016 (MMXVI) will be a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

United States Olympic Committee and internal bid selection

Main article: 2016 Summer Olympics#Chicago, United States

Initially, five US cities expressed interest in bidding for the 2016 Olympics: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. The USOC's chairman, Peter Ueberroth, visited potential host cities during April and May 2006. Chicago was visited on May 10. The 2016 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, is a major international sports and cultural festival to be celebrated in the tradition of the Olympic Games as governed by the International Olympic Committee. ... For other uses, see Chicago (disambiguation). ... Houston redirects here. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Nickname: City of Brotherly Love, Philly, the Quaker City Motto: Philadelphia maneto (Let brotherly love continue) Location in Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Philadelphia Founded October 27, 1682 Incorporated October 25, 1701 Mayor John F. Street (D) Area    - City 369. ... Monster Park, built in 1960, would likely be replaced by a new stadium for the Olympics. ... Ueberroth (front right) watches President Ronald Reagan throw the first pitch prior to a game. ... May 2006 : ← - January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December- → May 1, 2006 (Monday) Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association outraged Vatican by planning to ordain another bishop, Liu Xinhong in Anhui Province. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

On July 26, 2006, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) narrowed its list of applicant cities to three: Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco;^[5] but the last dropped out from the running on November 13, 2006.^[6] is the 207th day of the year (208th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is a non-profit organization that serves as the National Olympic Committee (NOC) for the United States and coordinates the relationship between the United States Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency and various international sports federations. ... Los Angeles and L.A. redirect here. ... San Francisco redirects here. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The final stage of the USOC internal selection occurred on April 14, 2007, at Washington, D.C.'s Embassy Row Hotel, where each bid team made a last 40-minute presentation to the USOC board members.^[7] At about 9:00 pm UTC, Chicago was announced as the United States bid for the 2016 Olympic Games by USOC President Peter Ueberroth.^[8] is the 104th day of the year (105th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... ... ... The five Olympic rings were designed in 1913, adopted in 1914 and debuted at the Games at Antwerp, 1920. ... Ueberroth (front right) watches President Ronald Reagan throw the first pitch prior to a game. ...

Bid details

Chicago Skyline from Lake Michigan

Chicago is no newcomer to Olympic bids. In 1901, the city was unanimously chosen by the IOC to stage the 1904 Summer Olympics,^[9] but the Games were moved to St. Louis to coincide with the 1904 World's Fair.^[10] Chicago also bid for the 1952 and 1956 Summer Olympics, but without success.^[11] The bidding process for the 2016 Olympic Games was officially launched on May 16, 2007. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 462 pixel Image in higher resolution (2600 × 1500 pixel, file size: 366 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Chicago User:Jcrocker... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 462 pixel Image in higher resolution (2600 × 1500 pixel, file size: 366 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Chicago User:Jcrocker... The 1904 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the III Olympiad, were held in St. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Missouri Coordinates: , Country State County Independent City Government  - Mayor Francis G. Slay (D) Area  - City  66. ... Entrance to Creation Exhibit on the Pike Map of the St. ... The 1952 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XV Olympiad, were held in 1952 in Helsinki, Finland. ... The 1956 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were held in 1956 in Melbourne, Australia, although the equestrian events could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations. ... is the 136th day of the year (137th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

On January 15, 2008 the details of the Olympic bid application were announced.^[12] 22 of the 27 Olympic venues will be in four clusters within 15 km of the Olympic Village. Five new venues and eleven temporary venues will be built for the games. The bid costs ($49.3 million) are being born by the private sector as are the costs of the games. The cost of the infrastructure will be financed by the government.^[13] is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... An Olympic Park is a venue or group of venues set up when a country hosts the Olympic Games. ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ... The private sector of a nations economy consists of all that is outside the state. ...

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley visited Beijing – host city of the 2008 Summer Olympics – in May 15, 2006, where he collected information on hosting. Richard M. Daley is the current mayor of Chicago. ... Richard Michael Daley (born April 24, 1942) is a United States politician, member of the national and local Democratic Party and current mayor of Chicago, Illinois. ... Peking redirects here. ... The 2008 Summer Olympics (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ), officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, will be celebrated from August 8, 2008, to August 24, 2008, with the opening ceremony commencing at 08:08:08 pm CST (12:08:08 UTC) at the Beijing National Stadium in... is the 135th day of the year (136th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Chicago's chances for hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics are bolstered by preliminary commitments made by major corporations and wealthy Chicago philanthropists; promised participation in the planning process by community and government leaders (including the Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, a political party usually opposed to Daley, a Democrat); and the enthusiasm of the citizenry. Local support for the bid on the South Side, particularly in the Washington Park and Woodlawn areas, is divided. Some opposition has grown as the city continues to ignore simple issues like returning garbage cans to the parks in the area after they were replaced with recycle bins when the USOC visited.^[14] Opinion polls indicate that public support is 79 percent. Most important, the city's existing infrastructure and venue options are substantial and equal other top contenders like Madrid and Tokyo. Peter Ueberroth stated, "Chicago is going in the right direction, and we are impressed by that."^[15] The Illinois Republican Party is the affiliate of the Republican Party in Illinois. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  Politics Portal      Further information: Politics of the United States#Organization of American political parties The Democratic... People living in the Chicago area are called Chicagoans. ... This article is about the Spanish capital. ... For other uses, see Tokyo (disambiguation). ...

In June 2007, Olympic bid committee Chairman and CEO, Patrick G. Ryan announced that David P. Bolger was appointed chief operating officer and Rick Ludwig as chief financial officer.^[16]

Michael Jordan has become an unofficial spokesman for Chicago's bid.^[17] For other persons named Michael Jordan, see Michael Jordan (disambiguation). ...

Financing

Ueberroth and members of the national committee met with Daley on May 10, 2006, for the initial assessment. Daley appointed business executive Patrick G. Ryan of Aon Corporation, part-owner of the Chicago Bears, to lead the city's bid process, especially in areas of corporate participation in fundraising. In previous years, Daley opposed possible bids for the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games owing to former international committee financial-guarantee requirements. Those requirements have been relaxed in favor of a new philosophy in which the Olympic Games would become smaller in terms of construction and related costs.^{[citation needed]} Early cost estimates hover at $5 billion, with $1.1 billion needed for the lakeside Olympic Village and an additional estimated $366 million for a temporary 80,000 seat Olympic Stadium to be built in Washington Park.^[18] On April 11, 2007, Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich proposed $150 million in state funding to help secure the bid to the USOC for Chicago. As of the announcement on April 14, over $35 million in cash and $13 million in goods have been pledged, including donations in excess of $100,000 from at least 225 individuals and corporations.^[19] Chicago has strong allies to pursue federal funds for security and transportation due to its high profile U.S. Senators.^[20] Dick Durbin is the 2nd in command among Democratic Senators as the Whip, and Barack Obama is a frontrunner in the 2008 Presidential Election. The city has announced a $500 million insurance policy against cost overruns and revenue shortfalls.^[21] is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Pat Ryan was the founder and is the executive chairman of Aon Corp. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... City Chicago, Illinois Other nicknames Da Bears, The Monsters of the Midway Team colors Navy Blue and Orange Head Coach Lovie Smith Owner Virginia Halas McCaskey Chairman Michael McCaskey General manager Jerry Angelo Fight song Bear Down, Chicago Bears Mascot Staley Da Bear League/Conference affiliations Independent (1919) National Football... The 2008 Summer Olympics (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ), officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, will be celebrated from August 8, 2008, to August 24, 2008, with the opening ceremony commencing at 08:08:08 pm CST (12:08:08 UTC) at the Beijing National Stadium in... London 2012 redirects here. ... USD redirects here. ... An Olympic Park is a venue or group of venues set up when a country hosts the Olympic Games. ... Washington Park is a 380 acre (1. ... is the 101st day of the year (102nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Rod R. Blagojevich is the 40th Governor of Illinois. ... is the 104th day of the year (105th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Type Upper House President of the Senate Richard B. Cheney, R since January 20, 2001 President pro tempore Robert C. Byrd, D since January 4, 2007 Members 100 Political groups Democratic Party Republican Party Last elections November 7, 2006 Meeting place Senate Chamber United States Capitol Washington, DC United States... Richard Joseph Durbin (born November 21, 1944) is an American politician. ... The Assistant Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate (commonly called Senate Majority and Minority Whips) are the second-ranking members of their parties in the United States Senate. ... “Barack” redirects here. ... The United States presidential election of 2008, scheduled to be held on November 4, 2008, will be the 55th consecutive quadrennial president and vice president of the United States. ...

Historic venues like Wrigley Field are considered for field events.

Wrigley Field, Chicago, 7/30/2004, by Rick Dikeman File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Wrigley Field, Chicago, 7/30/2004, by Rick Dikeman File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... For the former ballpark in Los Angeles, see Wrigley Field (Los Angeles). ...

Venues

Despite the lack of an Olympic stadium, Chicago has dozens of existing sport venues: Soldier Field, United Center, U.S. Cellular Field, Wrigley Field, Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, and Toyota Park in Bridgeview. Venues at Loyola University Chicago, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago State University, and Northern Illinois University, among others, are also available and have been mentioned in early news reports as possibilities. Navy Pier and the lakefront along Lake Michigan would host all beach and water events. The McCormick Place convention center, the second largest in the world, is the planned venue for indoor events like judo and gymnastics, as well as hosting all press offices, while Archery and the medals podium are slated for Millennium Park. ^[22] Other regional mayors have offered venues in Indiana and Wisconsin, including use of the University of Notre Dame's facilities. TCF Bank Stadium, a planned stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, may also be used for preliminary soccer matches.^[23] Although Portage Park has an Olympic-sized swimming pool that was used during the 1959 Pan American Games and the 1972 Olympic swimming trials, swimming events will be held in the West Side's Douglas Park to provide economic benefit for the region represented by several clout-heavy African American politicians.^[21] Soldier Field (formerly Municipal Grant Park Stadium) is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, and is currently home to the NFLs Chicago Bears. ... The United Center is an indoor sports arena located in the Near West Side community area of Chicago, Illinois, named after its corporate sponsor, United Airlines. ... U.S. Cellular Field a. ... For the former ballpark in Los Angeles, see Wrigley Field (Los Angeles). ... The Allstate Arena is a sports arena in Rosemont, Illinois, which is home to the Chicago Wolves hockey club, DePaul University mens basketball, and the Chicago Rush Arena football team. ... Rosemont is a village located in Cook County, Illinois, founded in 1956. ... The Sears Centre is an 11,000-seat multi-purpose family entertainment, cultural and sports center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. ... Hoffman Estates is a village located primarily in Cook County and a small section in Kane County, Illinois. ... Toyota Park is the home stadium for the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, members of Major League Soccer. ... Bridgeview is a village located in Cook County, Illinois. ... A garden sign welcomes residents and visitors to Rogers Park as home of Loyola University Chicago. ... Northwestern University (NU) is a selective private, nonsectarian, coeducational research university with campuses located in Evanston, Illinois and downtown Chicago, Illinois. ... For other uses, see University of Chicago (disambiguation). ... This article is about the University of Illinois at Chicago. ... For the unaffiliated private university also located in Chicago, see the University of Chicago. ... Northern Illinois University is a public university located in DeKalb, Illinois. ... The Navy Pier seen from the John Hancock Center Navy Pier is a 3,000 foot long pier on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. ... Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America, and the only one located entirely within the United States. ... McCormick Place is an enormous exposition complex located in Chicago, Illinois. ... This article is about the martial art and sport. ... Gymnastics is a sport involving the performance of sequences of movements requiring physical strength, flexibility, balance, endurance, gracefulness, and kinesthetic awareness, and includes such skills as handsprings, handstands, split leaps, aerials and cartwheels. ... Archery is the practice of using a bow to shoot arrows. ... Millennium Park is a prominent new civic center of the City of Chicago in Illinois and an important landmark of the citys lakefront. ... For other uses, see Indiana (disambiguation). ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... For other universities and colleges named Notre Dame, see Notre Dame. ... TCF Bank Stadium is a proposed football stadium for the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. ... Minneapolis redirects here. ... Soccer redirects here. ... The 3rd Pan American Games opened on 27 August in sunny 90 degree heat before 40,000 people in Chicago, Illinois, USA at Soldier Field. ... Douglas Park is a large Chicago Park District park that also serves as a cultural and community center in Chicago, Illinois. ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black) is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ...

Rowing

The Monroe Harbor will be enlarged with a $60-million breakwater to accommodate an approximately 2-mile course for rowing events.^[24][25][22] This will enable rowing competitions to take place on a course running from Northerly Island to about Randolph Street.^[24] This course would feature a picturesque Chicago Loop skyline backdrop for television viewing, which by 2016 would include the Chicago Spire.^[26][22] In order to accommodate the Olympics, all non-Olympic watercraft will be required to vacate Monroe Harbor for a year.^[22] Canoeing events will be held in the former site of Meigs Field on Northerly Island by the Adler Planetarium. Historically, this site staged some venues for the 1933 World's Fair. Breakwaters create safe harbors, but can also trap sediment moving along the coast. ... A coxless pair which is a sweep-oar boat. ... The Loop is what locals call the historical center of downtown Chicago. ... The Chicago Spire is a supertall skyscraper under construction in Chicago, Illinois. ... Terminal of the Airport Burnhams Plan of Chicago (1909) — north is to the right Merrill C. Meigs Field Airport (IATA: CGX, ICAO: KCGX), was a single strip airport built on Northerly Island, the man-made peninsula that also sited the 1933-1934 Century of Progress in Chicago, Illinois. ... Adler Planetarium The Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum in downtown Chicago, Illinois was the first planetarium in the United States and is the oldest in existence today. ... A 1933 Century of Progress worlds fair poster The Century of Progress Exposition was a worlds fair held in Chicago, Illinois from 1933-1934 to celebrate Chicagos centennial. ...

Soldier Field will not serve as the main Olympic Stadium in Chicago. However, the sports venue will host a significant number of events and most gold medal matches.

Presented here is a photo of Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois, and the home of the Chicago Bears. ... Presented here is a photo of Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois, and the home of the Chicago Bears. ... Soldier Field (formerly Municipal Grant Park Stadium) is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, and is currently home to the NFLs Chicago Bears. ...

Stadium

The Olympic Stadium will be in Washington Park, a site on the National Register of Historic Places in the Chicago community area of the same name on the city's south side. Chicago initially proposed building a temporary 80,000-seat track stadium adjacent to Soldier Field and having the two stadiums host dual Opening and Closing Ceremonies.^[27][28] However, the final proposal called for a $366 million temporary stadium to be built in Washington Park. The stadium will be replaced by a 10,000 seat multi-use venue after the games.^[22] The smaller post-Olympic stadium will be more in line with public interest in restoring the historic park after the games.^[22] The new stadium will feature a high-tech reflective sheathing material to accommodate huge TV pictures projections on its outside walls.^[22] The temporary stadium would not have concessions inside the stadium unlike permanent local venues, although concessions are planned outside the stadium.^[29][30] The stadium will feature basic oval shape, but it will also adhere to Olympic design rules which dictate that the overhanging lip at one end to cover dignitaries and the media.^[30] IOC president Jacques Rogge praised Chicago's design in November 2007 as a possible "blueprint for the future". This reflects the desire of the IOC to make the games both more affordable and to have a smaller ecological footprint on the host city.^[31] Washington Park is a 380 acre (1. ... A typical plaque showing entry on the National Register of Historic Places. ... For other uses, see Chicago (disambiguation). ... The city Chicago, Illinois, is divided into seventy-seven community areas. ... The neighborhoods of Chicago are less well-defined than Chicagos seventy-seven Community Areas. ... A womens 400 m hurdles race on a typical outdoor red rubber track in the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in Finland. ... Soldier Field (formerly Municipal Grant Park Stadium) is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, and is currently home to the NFLs Chicago Bears. ...

Olympic Village

The Olympic Village used to house athletes during the games will be a $1.1-billion series of newly constructed lakefront buildings that will be then converted to rental and condominium units after the games.^[21] The village will be located immediately south of McCormick Place, which is expected to host 11 event venues,^[4] on a current truck parking lot between South Lake Shore Drive and the Illinois Central Railroad tracks in the Near South Side and Douglas community areas.^[21] Currently, the parking lot is used to stage events at McCormick Place.^[22] The village will have pedways over Lake Shore Drive.^[24][32][33] This location will enable 88% of the Olympic athletes to be within 15 minutes of their competition venue.^[4] McCormick Place is an enormous exposition complex located in Chicago, Illinois. ... The double-decker Lake Shore Drive Bridge across the Chicago River; Wacker Drive is visible in the background Lake Shore Drive at the Chicago River in 1941 Looking northeast across Lakeshore East at the triple-decker Wacker Drive. ... The Illinois Central (AAR reporting mark IC), sometimes called the Main Line of Mid-America, was a railroad carrier in the central United States, with its primary routes connecting Chicago, Illinois with New Orleans, Louisiana and Birmingham, Alabama. ... The Near South Side is an officially designated community area (neighborhood) in Chicago, Illinois, USA located just south of the downtown central business district, the Loop, which is itself a community area. ... Douglas, located on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois is one of 77 well-defined Chicago community areas. ... The city Chicago, Illinois, is divided into seventy-seven community areas. ... A pedway is an elevated or underground pedestrian walkway, often connecting urban high-rises to each other, other buildings, or the street. ...

Sports culture

Chicago benefits from a strong sports culture. On August 1, 2006, it was named "Best Sports City" by Sporting News.^[34] Chicagoans are famous for their rabid support of their home teams: the Chicago Bears, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, and more recently, Chicago Fire. Other events such as the Chicago Marathon, one of the largest marathon events worldwide, will also play a part in Chicago's Olympic-planning process. is the 213th day of the year (214th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Sporting News (TSN) is an American-based sports newspaper, currently affiliated with the Fox network. ... Bill Swerskis Superfans was a recurring sketch on the American sketch comedy program Saturday Night Live. ... City Chicago, Illinois Other nicknames Da Bears, The Monsters of the Midway Team colors Navy Blue and Orange Head Coach Lovie Smith Owner Virginia Halas McCaskey Chairman Michael McCaskey General manager Jerry Angelo Fight song Bear Down, Chicago Bears Mascot Staley Da Bear League/Conference affiliations Independent (1919) National Football... The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional mens ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... Major league affiliations National League (1876–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 10, 14, 23, 26, 42 Name Chicago Cubs (1902–present) Chicago Orphans (1898-1901) Chicago Colts (1890-1897) Chicago White Stockings (1870-1871, 1874-1889) (a. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 16, 19, 42, 72 Name Chicago White Sox (1904–present) Other nicknames The Sox, The South Siders, The ChiSox, The Pale Hose, The Good Guys, The Go-Go Sox, The... The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. ... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Bridgeview, IL Coach Juan Carlos Osorio[1] Owner Andell Holdings First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire... The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, held in Chicago, is one of the largest marathon road races in the world, as well as one of the fastest growing. ...

Chicago hosted the 1959 Pan American Games.

Image File history File links Pan_am_1959. ... Image File history File links Pan_am_1959. ...

Experience

Chicago has hosted major and historic world gatherings in the past, including the famous 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition and the 1959 Pan American Games, as well as matches for the 1994 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament. Chicago has also hosted the most United States presidential nominating conventions.^[35] Chicago was scheduled to host the 1904 Summer Olympics, but the games were instead relocated to St. Louis to coincide with its Louisiana Purchase Exposition, more commonly known as the Saint Louis World's Fair. Chicago has never been content with its distinction as one of the few cities to have an Olympic Games taken away, and this historical issue could play to Chicago's favor.^{[citation needed]} One-third scale replica of Daniel Chester Frenchs Republic, which stood in the great basin at the exposition, Chicago, 2004 The Worlds Columbian Exposition (also called The Chicago Worlds Fair), a Worlds Fair, was held in Chicago in 1893, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher... A 1933 Century of Progress worlds fair poster The Century of Progress International Exposition was a Worlds Fair held in Chicago, Illinois from 1933-1934 to celebrate Chicagos centennial. ... The 3rd Pan American Games opened on 27 August in sunny 90 degree heat before 40,000 people in Chicago, Illinois, USA at Soldier Field. ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. ... Speeches by important party figures are key features of the convention; here, former President Jimmy Carter addresses the 2004 Democratic National Convention. ... The 1904 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the III Olympiad, were held in St. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Missouri Coordinates: , Country State County Independent City Government  - Mayor Francis G. Slay (D) Area  - City  66. ... Entrance to Creation Exhibit on the Pike Map of the St. ...

Chicago was also the first host of the Special Olympics in 1968. The crowd at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games Opening Ceremonies in Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

More recently, Chicago hosted the Gay Games VII in July 2006, and the 2007 AIBA Boxing Championships in October 2007. The championships are a qualifying event for the 2008 Summer Olympics and a chance for Chicago to showcase its staging skills to IOC members.^[36] AIBA head Dr. Ching-kuo Wu enthused the tournament was the "best ever", especially considering the 6 month lead time Chicago had to organize the games.^[37] Gay Games VII, colloquially called the Chicago Gaymes, is part of a family of international sports and cultural festivals called Gay Games, sanctioned by the Federation of Gay Games and organized by the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community of the host city of Chicago, Illinois in the United States. ... The Mens 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships will be held in Moscow, Russia from September 15, 2007 to September 30, 2007. ... The 2008 Summer Olympics (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ), officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, will be celebrated from August 8, 2008, to August 24, 2008, with the opening ceremony commencing at 08:08:08 pm CST (12:08:08 UTC) at the Beijing National Stadium in...

Logo

On May 16, 2007, Chicago was informed that its logo, a representation of a torch with the flames reminiscent of Chicago's skyline, violated IOC rules against using Olympic torch imagery.^[3] Bidding rules prohibit logos containing the Olympic symbol, motto, flag or other imagery including a flame, torch or medal.^[3] Chicago agreed to revise the logo.^[38] The current redesigned logo was released on September 19, 2007. Using the same color palette, a unique six-pointed "Chicago star" represents a compass pointing in all directions reaching out to the world. Each point represents an Olympic value: Hope, Respect, Harmony, Friendship, Excellence and Celebration. ^[39] The olympic flame at the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics The Olympic Flame or Olympic Fire is a symbol of the Olympic Games. ...

It has been proposed by Chicago City Council alderman Edward Burke that a fifth star be added to the Flag of Chicago if the city wins its bid for the Olympic games in 2009.^[40] Chicago City Hall, adjacent to the Richard J. Daley Center, houses the chambers of the Chicago City Council. ... An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions. ... For other persons named Ed Burke, see Ed Burke (disambiguation). ... Municipal Flag of the City of Chicago The municipal flag of Chicago consists of two blue horizontal stripes on a field of white, each stripe one-sixth the height of the full flag, and placed slightly less than one-sixth of the way from the top or bottom, respectively. ...

Bid factors

It is expected that Chicago's world-class architecture, renowned skyline, multi-cultural, historical, and pop-cultural contributions will be positive factors as the Olympics bid is weighed.^{[citation needed]} This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ...

The city also boasts significant transportation infrastructure. The Chicago Transit Authority operates a vast network of buses and elevated 'L' trains, and the region also boasts an extensive commuter rail service (Metra) that connects more than 230 suburban destinations to Chicago. These transportation options allow public transit access to the Games for city residents and people throughout northeastern Illinois into northern Indiana and southern Wisconsin. Additionally, the city is served by two major airports, O'Hare and Midway. O'Hare is a major international hub for both American and United Airlines, and Midway is a hub of sorts for domestic carrier Southwest Airlines. There is also a considerable network of rail lines and interstate highways in the region. Chicago Transit Authority, also known as CTA, is the operator of mass transit within the City of Chicago, Illinois. ... The L[1], variously, if perhaps incorrectly, styled L, El, EL, or L, is the rapid transit system that serves Chicago, Illinois in the United States. ... A Metra Train Metra (Officially known as the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation) is a regional rail that serves the city of Chicago, Illinois, and surrounding cities, many of them Chicago suburbs. ... OHare International Airport (IATA: ORD, ICAO: KORD, FAA LID: ORD) is an airport located in Chicago, Illinois, United States, 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Chicago Loop. ... The Greater-Chicago Area featuring Chicago-Midway and OHare International Airports Chicago Midway International Airport (IATA: MDW, ICAO: KMDW, FAA LID: MDW), also known simply as Midway Airport, is an airport in Chicago, Illinois, United States, located on the citys southwest side, eight miles from Chicagos Loop. ... United Airlines is a major airline of the United States. ... This article is about the American airline. ...

Chicago is strong in accommodations; the city of Chicago has over 30,000 hotel rooms in the immediate downtown area^[41] and has the largest skilled-labor workforce in the U.S. catering to conventions and other large-scale media events.

Chicago's geographic location also counts in its favor. Its central position within the United States means that its time zone is well-suited to North American television coverage. The NBC television network and its sister cable broadcasters is by far the largest media vendor and contract purchaser of the Olympic Games.^[42] This article is about the television network. ...

Outlook

USOC head Peter Ueberroth has contended that Chicago is in "third or fourth place," with a need to focus more on the international relations rather than just having a strong technical bid.^[43] Nevertheless, with Chicago's strong hosting of the AIBA Boxing Championships^[37] which exposed the city to many IOC members, the city is cited as the current favorite, and one member claims the Games are "theirs to lose."^[44] Although there is no official IOC rotation policy, the Americas have an edge to host since previous games will have been held in Europe, Asia, Europe, and Australia. But candidate city Rio also fills the category and has the advantage of being in South America, a region which has never hosted. Although not as strong in infrastructure, the candidate is named a "dark horse" that can ride away with the competition.^[44] The Mens 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships will be held in Moscow, Russia from September 15, 2007 to September 30, 2007. ... London 2012 redirects here. ... The 2008 Summer Olympics (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ), officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, will be celebrated from August 8, 2008, to August 24, 2008, with the opening ceremony commencing at 08:08:08 pm CST (12:08:08 UTC) at the Beijing National Stadium in... The ceremony for the lighting of the flame is arranged as a pagan pageant, with priestesses dancing. ... The Rio 2016 Olympic bid is the attempt by the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to be chosen by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympics. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ...

External links

Wikinews has related news:

Chicago wins 2016 USOC Olympic Bid

• Chicago2016.org — Official bid website
• CAAC2016.org — Official website of the Chicago African American Olympic Committee

Image File history File links WikiNews-Logo. ... Wikinews is a free-content news source and a project of the Wikimedia Foundation. ... The Chicago African American Olympic Committee is a non-profit organization created to ensure that African American businesses and citizens get equal opportunity to compete for resources of olympic-related economic opportunities - such as development contracts for minority businesses and equal share of economic grants and programs for schools in...

References

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