POSTED: Tuesday February 3rd 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BANK OF AMERICA SUPPORTS CHICAGO 2016 WITH DONATION OF MURAL WALL

Corporate donation helps Olympic bid decorate the city for April visit by International Olympic Committee Evaluation Commission

CHICAGO (February 3, 2009)—Chicago 2016 announced today that Bank of America has temporarily donated the mural wall on the Kennedy Expressway to the city’s campaign to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The bid committee is calling on individuals and the Chicago business community to support Chicago’s bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games as the city prepares for a visit by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission in April. Bank of the America is the first corporation to make a donation; the bank-leased mural is an iconic space in Chicago, dedicated to celebrating the spirit of Chicago’s community and is seen by tens of thousands of commuters each day.

“This generous donation from Bank of America is an extraordinary example of the outpouring of corporate and resident support our bid has received,” said Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016. “The mural not only will be a symbol of pride for the city but also serve as another bold declaration of Chicago’s passion for the Games to the IOC members who visit in April.”

The mural wall is a Chicago tradition supported by Bank of America, and celebrates life in the city’s local neighborhoods. The wall has featured a number of iconic Chicago institutions, events and organizations over the years, including the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

The installation of the new mural began last week and will feature the Chicago 2016 emblem and imagery of Olympic and Paralympic athletes engaged in sport. The mural is expected to be completed in late March and remain visible through July.

Installation Time Line

·         January 23–25: Stenciling and pre-painting

·         January 26–February 7: North Wall painting

·         February 8–23: South Wall painting

·         February 24–March 26: East Wall painting

·         March 27: Mural complete

The IOC Evaluation Commission visit to Chicago is scheduled for April 2–8, 2009. IOC members and subject matter experts will be in town to review all aspects of Chicago’s bid, including the proposed venues, and to experience the city firsthand. The enthusiasm of the Chicago community is a vital component of the Olympic bidding process and efforts to help decorate the city for the IOC visit will demonstrate this excitement and support.

“I’d like to express my gratitude to the entire Bank of America organization,” said Ryan. “They are a shining example of how Chicago’s corporate community has embraced our Olympic dream by extending such a generous opportunity at a pivotal time in the bid process.”

To learn more or to share your ideas for decorating the city for the IOC Evaluation Commission visit, email decorate@chicago2016.org.

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Keywords · Chicago 2016 · Olympic Bid · IOC

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

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