Chicago 2016 announced Saturday it is participating in an amateur sports festival called the Chicago Chinese Community Greeting Beijing 2008 Athletic Meet. The aim of the festival is to promote the Olympic ideals and involve Chicago’s youth in amateur sport.
According to a Chicago 2016 media release, the bid committee is working closely with the Chinese community, one of more than 26 ethnic communities in Chicago, to host this amateur sports series.
The Meet is a series of Olympic related sport events, including athletics, football, basketball, sand volleyball, badminton, tennis, table tennis, canoeing and swimming. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies will take place in Chicago’s Chinatown Square on May 10 and July 12 featuring Chicago 2016 staff and Olympians. During the six-week period one sporting event will be highlighted each weekend.
Several athletic clubs and Chinese student associations have been invited to participate.
Chicago 2016 Chairman and CEO Pat Ryan said, “in the months leading up to the Beijing Games, this is a great opportunity for Chicago’s youth to participate in Olympic sport and learn about the ideals and values of the Olympic movement”.
