CHICAGO (January 29, 2009) – Chicago 2016 announced today that all 26 International Sport Federations have approved the competition venues proposed in Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The development of the venue plan was a collaborative effort among Chicago 2016, Olympic and Paralympic athletes, the federations and the community. Chicago’s sport venues have been praised for focusing on the athlete experience while placing the Games in the heart of the city, close to the Olympic Village and other attractions. The federations also noted the quality and great atmosphere for sport that each of the venues would create during the Games.
Chicago’s plan for the 2016 Games, with more than 90 percent of the athletes within 15 minutes of their venues, is one of the most compact, centrally located plans ever proposed for the Games. It is a plan that will put the athletes in the heart of one of the United State’s most diverse and sport crazy cities. Last year alone, Chicago residents purchased more than eight million tickets to attend sporting events throughout the city.
“Athletes have always been at the center of our Games plan, and we worked closely with the federations to ensure that our venue plan would meet the needs of the Olympians and Paralympians while ultimately benefiting sport,” said Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016. “We believe our Games plan will provide a spectacular experience for the athletes on and off the field. We know that the sport-loving people of Chicago would help create some of the most passionate and diverse crowds ever seen at the Games.”
Chicago 2016’s Games plan calls for 79 percent of the sport competitions to be held in existing or temporary venues. All new permanent venues will serve community needs and support legacy programs, making the plan financially responsible and sustainable. The bid committee also worked closely with the local community to ensure the Games leave a lasting and meaningful legacy in Chicago, specifically as it relates to sport and multi-use facilities in Chicago’s parks. For example, the velodrome that will host track cycling during the Games would be transformed into a year-round, multisport facility, and the proposed site of beach volleyball, sailing and canoe/kayak would become an outdoor recreation oasis featuring whitewater sports and an education center.
