Chicago 2016

On April 14, 2007, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) selected Chicago as the U.S. Bid City for the 2016 Games. Chicago will now compete with other international cities for the honor of being the official 2016 Host City. The final decision on which international city will host the 2016 Games will be made in October 2009. Chicago is built on a bold tradition of dreams that we turn into reality. From rebuilding our city to even greater glory after the 1871 Fire to hosting the World's Columbian Exposition and the 1933 World's Fair to transforming an old rail yard into Millennium Park, dreaming and achieving is part of Chicago's DNA. In the words of Daniel Burnham, the pioneering architect of the World's Columbian Exposition who embodies the spirit of Chicago,"Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood. Make big plans; aim high in work and hope. Remember that our children and grandchildren are going to do things that will amaze us." Our vision is intended to stir the soul of the world: The Chicago 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will use sport as a catalyst to demonstrably strengthen the Olympic Movement. Our Games will inspire young and old, Chicagoans and citizens around the world. With our plan for a compact Games and Chicago's accessible world-class infrastructure and enthusiastic multicultural community, athletes and the world will come together to rejoice in sport and strengthen the Olympic movement. Olympic experts have called this the "strongest American Bid ever." Unfortunately, on October 2nd Chicago lost its bid to the host the 2016 Olympic Games to Rio de Janeiro. While the results are disappointing, Chicago 2016 has benefited the city and its citizens in many ways. These include repositioning Chicago in a more positive light nationally and internationally, creating a legacy sports organization, World Sport Chicago, and uniting the city's public and private entities for future developmental efforts.