A 16-member International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission arrived in Chicago Thursday to inspect the city’s 2016 Summer Olympic Games bid.
The delegation is in the city meeting with bid leadership, city officials, business and community leaders, Olympic and Paralympic athletes, youth and others, to learn more about what the city has to offer if it is selected as host city for the 2016 Games.
According to a press release the visit includes detailed briefings by officials of Chicago 2016 and site visits to proposed venues. The delegation will also have an opportunity to take in some of Chicago’s arts, culture and hospitality during their six-night stay.
Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016 said, “we are honoured to welcome the Evaluation Commission to our city and we are excited to share our vision for what we believe would be a spectacular Games experience for the athletes, spectators, residents and the entire Olympic family. We look forward to a very productive visit”.
The formal briefings will focus on several topics from Chicago 2016’s Games plan to its plans for transportation and security.
Meanwhile an umbrella group called No Games Chicago staged a loud demonstration Thursday opposing the city’s bid.
The protest featured about a dozen speakers who warned the Games would incur massive debt and steal funds better used for public schools, transit and health care, reports the Associated Press.
GamesBids.com will be providing up-to-date coverage from Chicago during the IOC’s six-day visit.
