POSTED: Wednesday November 26th 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FINALISTS SELECTED FOR THE CHICAGO 2016 “WHY CHICAGO” VIDEO CONTEST

Bid committee encourages supporters to vote online for their favorite videos and enter for a chance to win, beginning Friday

CHICAGO (November 26, 2008)—Today, Chicago 2016 announced that five finalists have been chosen in the “Why Chicago” video contest. The contest – which launched in October – asked people across the United States to submit videos explaining why they think Chicago should be chosen to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Final voting will begin on Friday, November 28, and will conclude on Sunday, December 7. Winners will be announced the week of December 8.

“The enthusiasm and creativity displayed in the “Why Chicago” video contest was exciting,” said Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016. “We thank everyone who submitted a video or visited the Web site to vote, and encourage everyone to come back and help us find the final winners.”

The five finalists were selected based on a combination of popular vote and the following criteria rated by a panel of judges: originality, creativity, relevance to the “Why Chicago” theme and production quality. All five videos will be featured on NBC 5 News Today the week of December 1, and everyone is encouraged to visit the Chicago 2016 site to vote for their favorite finalist.

The Grand Prize winner of the “Why Chicago” video contest will be announced on-air on NBC 5 News Today the week of December 8, and will receive a trip for two to Vancouver for a behind the scenes tour of the preparations for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The second place winner will receive $5,000 worth of video production equipment of their choice.

In addition to awarding a Grand Prize and second place winner for videos entered into the contest, Chicago 2016 will also award a voter prize. One lucky voter will be chosen at random to win an Olympic Experience trip for six to the United States Olympic Committee’s (USOC) headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO, to see the USOC’s world-class training facilities, watch Olympians and Olympic hopefuls train and participate in a U.S. Olympic sport experience.

Go online now to http://www.Chicago2016.org/contest to view the finalists and vote on your favorites!

 

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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.

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Keywords · Chicago 2016 · Olympic bid · Why Chicago · Patrick Ryan

Name: Mica Matsoff
Organization: Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid
Email:
Phone: 1.312.861.4826
URL: http://www.chicago2016.org/

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