POSTED: Thursday September 10th 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chicago 2016 Showcases Comprehensive Sustainability Plans During Environmental Summit

Chicago Summit on Sport and Sustainability details Blue-Green Games initiatives, strengthens link between environment and sport

CHICAGO (September 10, 2009)—Chicago 2016 will showcase many of its innovative sustainability initiatives during the Chicago Summit on Sport and Sustainability, held September 10-11, in Chicago. Chicago 2016’s environmental plan, the Blue-Green GamesTM, includes a number of programmatic elements that have the ability to leave a positive and lasting legacy on Chicago and the Olympic and Paralympic Movements if Chicago is fortunate enough to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The initiatives and commitments presented at the Summit demonstrate some of the plans outlined in Chicago 2016’s candidature file, submitted to the International Olympic Committee in February.
 
“We are very proud of the environmental plan that is a part of our broader proposed Games plan,” said Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016. “It builds upon the many initiatives already underway in Chicago and furthers our opportunity to make a real difference on the global community if we are awarded the 2016 Games. The Chicago Summit on Sport and Sustainability honors the legacy of environmental stewardship within the Olympic Movement.”
 
One innovative program to be discussed during the Summit is Chicago 2016’s WheelAidTM initiative, which calls for converting stadium seats into wheelchairs that will provide long-term benefits to thousands across the globe. Other major announcements include Chicago-specific commitments on carbon footprinting and calculating carbon emissions generated during the Games, should Chicago win the honor of hosting the 2016 Games. In addition, one of Chicago’s most unique environmental plans is the commitment to establish a program that will provide access to clean water in developing nations.
 
“Chicago 2016’s environmental stewardship will not only impact the city, it will provide sustainable solutions throughout the world if we are selected as the 2016 Host City,” said Bob Accarino, director of environment for Chicago 2016.  “We are committed to creating a sustainable future that supports the dreams of athletes, and that includes having access to clean drinking water and dealing with climate change.”
 
The two-day Chicago Summit on Sport and Sustainability features speakers with a wide-range of expertise, including panelists from professional sports organizations and arctic explorers, to Nobel Prize recipients and Olympians and Paralympians. Featured speakers include Valdas Adamkus, former president of Lithuania; Lisa Jackson, administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., president of Riverkeepers Alliance.
 
A full list of speakers and program information is available at www.chicago2016.org/summit.

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Keywords · Chicago 2016 · Blue-Green GamesTM

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

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