Chicago 2016 announced Thursday it is launching a video contest asking people across the United States to submit videos explaining why they think Chicago should be chosen as host of the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.
According to a Chicago 2016 press release people are asked to visit www.Chicago2016.org/contest to upload videos and vote on their favourites.
From Thursday to November 25 five finalists will be selected based on a combination of popular vote and the following criteria rated by a panel of judges – originality, creativity, relevance to the “Why Chicago” theme and production quality.
The week of December 1 all five videos will be featured on NBC 5 News Today and everyone is encouraged to visit the site to vote for their favourite finalist. The Grand Prize winner will be announced on air on NBC 5 News Today the week of December 8, and will receive a trip for two to Vancouver for a behind-the-scenes tour of the preparations for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Second place winner will receive $5,000 worth of video production equipment of their choice.
Voters will also have a chance to win and are asked to visit the site often to vote for their favourites. One lucky voter will be chosen at random to win a trip for six to the United States Olympic Committee’s (USOC) headquarters in Colorado Spring, Colorado to see the USOC’s world-class training facilities, watch Olympians and Olympic hopefuls train and participate in a U.S. Olympic sport experience.
Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016 said, “no one can tell the story of Chicago better than the people who know it best. We have less than 12 months to go as a Candidate City, and we must draw on the enthusiasm of the American people to convince the world that Chicago is ready to host the Games in 2016. We look forward to the contest that people around the country will provide us through their ‘Why Chicago’ video submissions”.
The website also has sample “Why Chicago” videos made by everyone from politicians, professional athletes, Olympians and Chicago sports fans. Special guest submissions include the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago White Sox, the U.S. men’s basketball team, and Olympic gold medallist Shannon Miller.
