It's not everyday a city wins the opportunity to compete on a global scale to host the world's most exciting competitive sports competition. But Chicago did just that on April 14 when Peter Ueberroth, Chairman of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), anxiously opened a sealed envelope to reveal that Chicago had prevailed over Los Angeles as the U.S. applicant city winner for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
According to Ueberroth, Chicago solidified its position among the USOC Board of Directors in part because of its enthusiasm and the conscious decision to always recognize the Paralympic component of the 2016 Games. This won the respect of all 11 Board members that voted.
"We intend to make Chicago and America proud," said Mayor Richard M. Daley. "We will show the International Olympic Committee that Chicago is capable of hosting a great Olympic Games and handling large crowds; that our plan is attractive to both athletes and spectators; and that Chicago is a great international city that truly embodies the Olympic ideals of athletic excellence, friendship, solidarity and respect for the environment.
USOC Vice President, Bob Ctvrtlik said there is a certain "magic" that needs to be created for the Olympic Games and Chicago's lakefront and its plans can do just that.
"For the Olympic games to be a success, they have to work some magic," said Ctvrtlik. "With Chicago, I think we have that." Echoed Ueberroth, ``Personally, I love the idea of the athletes on the lakefront. I don't think that's ever happened, and that could be great. Let's hope Chicago gets the opportunity."
The 2016 Committee has designed a site plan that is very compact and makes maximum use of existing facilities - perfect for Olympic visitors because it will allow them to spend more time enjoying the competition, and less time traveling to and from events.
"Chicago is among the top global destinations and the best location for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Tim Roby, President and CEO of the Chicago Convention Tourism Bureau. "Last year, more than 33 million travelers visited Chicago. We are a city that continues to evolve. Welcoming local, regional, and international travelers alike is something this city does everyday."
The Cost of Doing Business
The investment doesn't come cheap. The price tag to build and host a Chicago Olympics is estimated at $5 billion, including a $366 million temporary stadium in Washington Park on the South Side and a $1.1 billion privately developed Olympic Village south of McCormick Place.
But Chicago has a long history of success working together with our civic and business leaders -- rebuilding the city from the Great Fire; creating the priceless lakefront; staging two of the greatest World's Fairs in our nation's history, and building our great cultural institutions - all within a period of just a few decades.
Most recently, we built Millennium Park - and it quickly became a global icon and a model of public and private partnerships. The Olympic Games could become one of the most significant events in Chicago's history, attracting new visitors from around the world.
900 Days and Counting
The competition has only just begun. Chicago now has to focus on solidifying at least 60 votes from the International Olympic Committee as it goes up against such international powerhouses like Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Madrid and Tokyo in October 2009.
Should Chicago win this next round, be assured the city and its residents will host the Olympic Games in grand style, just as we've hosted World's Fairs, the World Series and the World Cup, as well as the biggest national and international conventions.
Chicago 2016 plans to prove to the IOC that Chicago is capable of hosting a great Olympic Games and handling large crowds; that our plan is attractive to both athletes and spectators; and that Chicago is a great international city that truly embodies the Olympic ideals of athletic excellence, friendship, solidarity and respect for the environment.