According to a media release, a new poll conducted by Zogby International April 7-9, exactly a year after Zogby’s first survey, shows a rise in support for Chicago’s 2016 Summer Olympic bid from 76 per cent a year ago to 84 per cent.
But Chicago 2016’s bid is far from the leading candidate, according to USOC chairman Peter Ueberroth. Ueberroth said, “you can’t really give it a number – certainly not first. Chicago has not bid on Games in the past. They have not been in the Olympic movement. They are improving but still not anywhere near first”.
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley said, “this poll tells us what we already know – that Chicago’s residents, business and philanthropic community are united behind our bid because they have great pride in our city and they want to see it host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Games would attract new visitors from around the globe to the United States and Chicago and leave a legacy that strengthens the Olympic Movement by building passion for sport, culture, education and the environment for future generations around the world”.
Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016 called the poll significant because “it indicates the continued and growing enthusiasm of Chicago area residents for bringing the Games to our city and it is encouraging to see the continued support by Chicagoans for the Olympic Movement despite the recent controversy”.
USOC chief executive Jim Scherr said, “it’s not to the advantage of the bid to be the front runners. Front-runners haven’t done too well in this vote. We need to do a lot of hard work between now and October 4, 2009. That’s the day that really matters”.
Ueberroth did not say which city he thought was ahead with less than two months before the first cut. He said, “I’m going to decline to state who I think is first. I don’t think that’s fair. The IOC asks us not to point out other candidate cities and I will respect that”.
He added, “Chicago’s bid is improving all the time. It is getting better. It’s impossible to even ask them to be heading the pack at this time. It’s a learning process”.
