Close

Inclement Weather Won't Stop Chicago 2016 Venue Tour

Forecasts of heavy rain and snow for Sunday won’t interrupt the much anticipated venue tours planned for the IOC Evaluation Commission. But while the tours planned as part of the Chicago 2016 inspection visit will continue, there will be adjustments to the schedule due to the weather according to a Chicago 2016 spokesperson.

Doug Arnot, Director of Venues for the bid said “they will have umbrellas, they will have warm coats … they are kind of used to it”.

IOC Evaluation Commission members have experienced snow during the London 2012 visit and poor weather conditions at other inspections that typically occur in March.

Meanwhile, preparations continue to as the city dresses up the city for the IOC.

Yesterday iconic Buckingham fountain was opened a couple of weeks earlier than planned so that the evaluation team could catch a glimpse of it during their tour. The fountain underwent a multi-million dollar renovation over the winter.

At Soldier Field – the proposed football venue for the bid – workers were seen planting flowers; and parking meters in the vicinity were covered to prevent vehicles from parking.

Banners on the street and at businesses continue to pop up. Bid organizers distributed 10,000 Chicago 2016 t-shirts to be worn on the streets to show support.

Buildings around the city are lit up with Chicago 2016 colors in the evening and on Saturday night an Olympic-themed fireworks display is planned at Navy Pier.

It will not be a typical weekend in Chicago.

Follow GamesBids.com at the evaluation commission visit to Chicago on Twitter – twitter.com/gamesbids.

scroll to top