POSTED: Friday September 25th 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. Olympians Unanimously Endorse Chicago 2016 Bid to Host Olympic and Paralympic Games

The Chicago 2016 Bid Committee heads to Copenhagen, Denmark, for the International Olympic Committee 2016 Host City selection taking place Oct. 2.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Representing       the interests of more than 6,000 U.S. Olympians nationwide, the Board       of Directors for the U.S. Olympians Association voted unanimously at       the U.S. Olympic Assembly on Sept. 10 to endorse the efforts of       Chicago 2016, the City of Chicago and the U.S. Olympic Committee       (USOC) to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games back to the United       States in 2016.  The Chicago 2016 Bid Committee heads to Copenhagen, Denmark,       for the International Olympic Committee 2016 Host City       selection taking place Oct. 2.   

The U.S. Olympians Association (USO) serves as the       Alumni Association for all Olympians in the United States.       As Olympians, the members have a vested interest in ensuring the       well-being of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Olympic       Movement as a whole. Chicago 2016 has demonstrated that it       understands and supports the values of the Movement and will host a       Games that reflect the true Olympic spirit.  For that reason,       the USO unanimously endorses the Chicago 2016 Bid. 

“The U.S. Olympians have a vested interest in       brining the Games to Chicago and America,       but we were so impressed with the efforts being made to keep       Olympians engaged in the planning and operation of the Games, that we       felt compelled to endorse this bid formally,” said Willie Banks, President of the       U.S. Olympians. “We want to express our gratitude to Chicago       Mayor Richard M. Daley,       Chicago 2016 Chairman and CEO Pat       Ryan, and USOC Chairman Larry       Probst for an outstanding bid and a wonderful partnership.       We wish them much luck in Copenhagen.” 

Several factors influenced the USO’s decision to       publicly endorse the bid. The Chicago 2016 Bid rightfully reflects a       Games dedicated to putting the athletes first. This is exemplified in       its bid materials, its legacy programs and the involvement of       athletes in all stages of the bid, including leadership and venue       planning.  

The Chicago 2016 Bid Team truly respects the       Olympians and fully supports and promotes the National Olympians       Associations, as recognized by the International Olympic Committee.       In partnership with World Sport Chicago, Chicago 2016 has made       tremendous strides in creating valuable legacy programs that will       continue to benefit Chicago, the United States       and the worldwide Olympic Movement for decades to come.
     
      The Chicago 2016 Bid also reflects the baseline tenets of the Olympic       Movement. The plan for the 2016 Games is compact, sustainable,       affordable and actionable. Chicago 2016 has taken the best that a bid       can offer to the world and incorporated those simple but essential       pieces in the plan, such as comfortable housing proximal to venues,       the short transportation times for athletes traveling to venues, and       venues that are sustainable with good sight lines and       performance-enhancing facilities. Further, the plan is economically       feasible and ecologically practical. 

The USO and its 6,000 U.S. Olympian members       recognize Chicago 2016’s efforts to host a Games that puts the       athletes first, establishes a lasting Olympic legacy, and creates an       inspiring and festive Games experience in the heart of the beautiful       City of Chicago. 

For more       information, please contact the USOC Communications Division at (719) 866-4529, or visit www.teamusa.org.      

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