The delegation from Chicago 2016 traveled to Istanbul, Turkey, this week to present Chicago’s vision for the Olympic and Paralympic Games at the European Olympic Committees (EOC) XXXVII General Assembly. The delegation, including Honorary Chairman of Chicago 2016 and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Chicago 2016 Chairman and CEO Patrick G. Ryan met with sport leaders from across Europe to discuss Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“The EOC presentation is critical to our bid in terms of communicating our vision for the Games and gaining feedback on our bid plan,” said Ryan. “As we move into the final months before the Candidature File is due, the insight we capture from leaders of sport is of utmost importance.”
During the presentation, Mayor Daley addressed the EOC members and introduced a special video support statement from President-Elect Barack Obama. President-Elect Obama, a Chicagoan and longtime supporter of the Olympic Movement and Chicago’s bid, recently asked Chicago 2016 Vice Chairman Valerie Jarrett to join his administration as Senior Adviser and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Relations and Public Liaison.
In addition to the presentation, members of Chicago 2016 and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) met with leaders of sport and National Olympic Committee (NOC) members from the region and in attendance to discuss further Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Games.
The meeting marked Chicago 2016’s third presentation in a series to each of the five continental associations. The delegation will present to the Oceanic National Olympic Committees (ONOC) and to the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) early next year.
