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The Chicago 2016 Olympic bid is the attempt by the city of , Chicago was announced as the United States bid for the 2016 Olympic Games by USOC President Peter Ueberroth .5 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 . The final selection from among the international candidates will be made on October 2 2009 , in Copenhagen, Denmark .6 The finalists will be named by the International Olympic Committee in June 2008.7 Chicago is no newcomer to Olympic bids. In 1901, the city was unanimously chosen by the IOC to stage the 1904 Summer Olympics ,8 but the Games were moved to St. Louis to coincide with the 1904 World's Fair .9 Chicago also bid for the 1952 and 1956 Summer Olympics , but without success.10 UNITED STATES OLYMPIC COMMITTEE See Also: 2016 Summer Olympics#Chicago, United States The USOC's chairman, Peter Ueberroth , visited potential host cities during May 2006 . Ueberroth and his party visited Chicago on May 10 . On April 14 2007 , Chicago was chosen as the US application city. BID DETAILS Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley was officially welcomed in Beijing – host city of the 2008 Summer Olympics – by the Government Of The People's Republic Of China during the week of May 15 2006 , when the mayor discussed Chicago's venture; he is the only mayor of an American city vying for the 2016 Summer Olympics to have been welcomed to Beijing on official Olympic business.11 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.12 Opinion polls conducted by Local Newspapers in early 2006 suggested that public support for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Chicago could be as high as 80 to 85 percent. Most important, the city's existing infrastructure and venue options are considerably more substantial than the offerings available in other interested cities. Bob Ctvrtlik , part of the initial assessment team, said, "It's got all the amenities that would make this a wonderful experience for our athletes." Ueberroth added, "Chicago is going in the right direction, and we are impressed by that."13 The bidding process for the 2016 Olympic Games was officially launched on May 16 2007 . The next step for each city is to submit an initial application to the IOC by September 13 2007 . Completed official bid files are due by January 14 2008 . Finalists will then be notified in June 2008. The final host city selection will be made by the full IOC on October 2 2009 , in Copenhagen, Denmark. Financing Ueberroth and members of the national committee met with Daley on May 10 2006 , for the initial assessment. On the same day, with permission from Ueberroth, 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. 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 .14 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.15 It is expected that Chicago would be quite successful at pursuing federal funds for security and transportation due to its high profile U.S. Senators . Dick Durbin is the 2nd in command among Democratic Senators as the Whip , and Barack Obama is a leading Presidential Nomination contender. The city has announced a $500 million insurance policy against cost overruns and revenue shortfalls.16 are considered for field events.]] Venues Despite the need for 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 could host all beach and water events. The McCormick Place convention center, the largest in the world, has been mentioned as a venue for indoor events like judo and gymnastics, as well as hosting all press offices. 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.17 At the last minute the plan was changed so that the swimming will be held in the West Side's Douglas Park . This change was made to appease the perceived lack of economic benefit for the region represented by several African American politicians. Rowing The Monroe Harbor will be enlarged with a $60-million Breakwater to accommodate an approximately 2-mile course for Rowing events.1819 This will enable rowing competitions to take place on a course running from Northerly Island to about Randolph Street.This course would feature a picturesque Chicago Loop skyline backdrop for television viewing, which by 2016 may be even more picturesque than it is now (see Chicago Spire ).20 In order to accommodate the Olympics, all non-Olympic watercraft will be required to vacate Monroe Harbor for a year. 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.]] Stadium The Olympic Stadium will be in Washington Park , which is a National Register Of Historic Places park in the Washington Park Community Area on the 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.2122 However, the final proposal called for a $366 million temporary stadium to be built in Washington Park. The stadium will be replaced by a 5,000 seat multi-use venue after the games. The smaller post-Olympic stadium will be more in line with public interest in restoring the historic park after the games. The new stadium will feature a high-tech reflective sheathing material to accommodate huge TV pictures projections on its outside walls. The temporary stadium would not have concessions inside the stadium unlike permanent local venues, although concessions are planned outside the stadium.2324 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. Chicago's reputation as a major convention hosting center will also help its cause. The main convention center, McCormick Place , is the largest convention center in the United States and is undergoing an expansion that will be completed in 2007. The city of Chicago has over 50,000 hotel rooms in the immediate downtown area and has the largest skilled-labor workforce in the U.S. catering to conventions and other large-scale media events. Olympic medal podium It is anticipated that Olympic medals will be granted in Millennium Park . 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. The village will be located immediately south of McCormick Place , which is expected to host 11 event venues, 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 . Currently, the parking lot is used to stage events at McCormick Place. The village will have Pedway s over Lake Shore Drive.252627 This location will enable 88% of the Olympic athletes to be within 15 minutes of their competition venue. Sport culture Chicago benefits from a strong sports culture. On , 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. 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 Convention s.29 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. Chicago was also the first host of the Special Olympics in 1968 . Miscellaneous 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. 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. For obvious reasons, the transportation system surrounding the city of Chicago is extremely important when considering an Olympic bid. 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 American television coverage. The NBC television network and its sister cable broadcasters (under the NBC Universal banner) is by far the largest media vendor and contract purchaser of the Olympic Games. Michael Jordan has become an unofficial spokesman for Chicago's bid.30 Chicago's success at hosting other world events, such as the 1893 Columbian Exposition , and the profitable (even during the Great Depression ) Century Of Progress , even though held many years ago, shows Chicago can hold a world-class event successfully and profitably. 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 2009.31 RECENT DEVELOPMENTS On June 23 2006 , five United States candidates met in California to offer official presentations to the USOC Board of Directors. The '' Chicago Tribune '' reported of the event the next day, "USOC officials indicated they could whittle down the field of five contenders in as soon as three weeks." The article also stated, "Observers say it's likely to be a three-way horse race between.... San Francisco, Chicago and Olympic veteran Los Angeles." As predicted, the USOC on July 26 officially named San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago as the three US finalists for the 2016 Olympics, dropping Philadelphia and Houston . However, on November 13 2006 , San Francisco withdrew its bid from the national selection process, leaving Chicago and Los Angeles as the only contenders in the U.S. bid.32 The Chicago 2016 Exploratory Committee has launched its official Web site at www.chicago2016.org. On September 21 2006 , Mayor Daley unveiled a revised plan for the main stadium, which would host the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as track and field events. The plan calls for a 95,000 seat stadium to be constructed in Washington Park on Chicago's South Side. The plan's preliminary design mimics the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition , making use of the Midway Plaisance and the surrounding neighborhoods of Hyde Park and Woodlawn . The stadium would be temporary, and would be mostly dismantled into a 10,000-seat track and field stadium and event complex after the games. According to the '' Chicago Sun-Times '', local Aldermen strongly support this plan.33 On January 9 2007 , the USOC announced that they will go forward in presenting an American bid to the international competition for the 2016 games. The next step was for the cities of Los Angeles and Chicago to have bid books ready for the committee by January 22 for review. On April 14 , the evaluation team presented its findings to the USOC board of directors, cities and made their final presentations. Chicago was chosen as the United States candidate to move on to international competition. The final decision will be made in 2009 by the International Olympic Committee . 34 35 The competition currently includes Madrid , Prague , Rome , Rio De Janeiro , Tokyo , Doha, Qatar , and Baku, Azerbaijan . In fact, Tokyo and Rio De Janeiro have already been endorsed by their respective national Olympic committees as the officially endorsed national selection. On April 19 , Mayor Daley announced that the Olympic bid committee is seeking a Chief Operating Officer.36 The U.S. Olympic committee is aware of the search. The person chosen need not be a Chicagoan.37 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. In fact the IOC bidding rules prohibit logos containing the Olympic symbol, motto, flag or other imagery including a flame, torch or medal. Chicago agreed to revise the logo.38 |
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