As part of its April 3-7 visit to the Chicago, for the city’s 2016 Olympic bid, the International Olympic Committee’s evaluation team got a peak at some of the proposed Olympic venues.
As part of its April 3-7 visit to the Chicago, for the city’s 2016 Olympic bid, the International Olympic Committee’s evaluation team got a peak at some of the proposed Olympic venues.
IOC members spent six hours Sunday touring sites around the city and listened to a presentation from Olympian and former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan.
In his taped video message, shown when the committee toured the United Center, Jordan said participating in the 1984 and 1992 Olympics were among the proudest moments of his life.
“Hello my name is Michael Jordan and welcome to one of my favorite places in the world, the United Center. I am sorry I could not be here today,” Jordan said during the video presentation. “I was looking forward to telling you how excited Chicago is about hosting the 2016 Olympic Games. I thank you for your consideration of our wonderful city.”
After viewing the former Michael Reese Hospital & Medical Center, 2929 S. Ellis Ave., from a high-rise building, members toured McCormick Place where 11 sports would be hosted. From there, they toured Washington Park where an 80,000-seat stadium would be built, said Sean Kinzie, a site planner for Chicago 2016.
“Washington Park is an ideal location for the stadium because of its space,” Kinzie said. “The creation of the stadium would not require any changes to the park before or after the Games.”
After the games, the stadium would be reconfigured to a 5,000-seat amphitheater. Black Olympian, Bob Pickens, also met with the IOC Sunday. Pickens placed sixth in wrestling during the 1964 Tokyo Games and today serves as vice president of the Board of Commissioners for the Chicago Park District.
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In photo: The King High School marching band played Sunday for members of the International Olympic Committee’s Evaluation Commission as the group toured Washington Park and the proposed site of the Olympic stadium.
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