The IOC Evaluation Commission began its tour of Chicago 2016 venues this morning. The day began with drizzle but soon heavy rains drenched the venues and seemed to put a damper on the enthusiasm of Chicagoans.
Small groups of volunteers waving “we back the bid” banners were positioned sporadically along the roads, but there was no significant gathering. Protestors were not seen at the venues.
IOC members first arrived at Chicago’s McCormick Center, the largest conference facility in North America and proposed home to 11 Olympic sports and the media and broadcast centres. They were welcomed by cultural and sports demonstrations and entered the building alongside attendees of an unrelated conference who seemed unaware of the importance of the special guests.
Later the evaluation team visited Washington Park, site of the Olympic Stadium and swimming complex, and watched a presentation at DuSable Museum. Volunteers braving heavy rain held flags of Olympic countries and formed an oval in the empty field indicating the perimeter of the proposed stadium. A marching band ushered the team into the museum and they were greated by local Aldermen. Yesterday U.S. President Barack Obama explained on videotape that this venue was just steps from his home.
For a short time the rain stopped and the sun appeared as IOC members continued their tours along the lakefront.
Soldier Field – home of the Chicago Bears and proposed site of Olympic football – was the next stop for the 
Olympic team. Local youth soccer teams were demonstrating their sport on the dormant grass in the stadium that was painted a bright green and centre field was emblazoned with the Chicago 2016 logo. From the appropriately named Skyline box, the evaluation team was offered stunning views of the stadium with the Chicago skyline; and the lakefront with Olympic Island that could feature beach volleyball, canoeing, kayaking and sailing.
Olympians were on-hand to discuss their venues with IOC members.
“I think it went very well” explained Carli Lloyd who was on the U.S. football team at the Beijing Olympics. She spoke about how the 1999 Women’s World Cup in Chicago inspired her to play the sport.
Austin Perry of the United States sailing team in Beijing was excited about the possibility of the sailing venue in Chicago. He spoke about the close proximity of this venue to the rest of the sports compared to the remoteness of the venue in Beijing.
The last stop of the day was the United Center – to be known as Olympic Arena should the Games come to Chicago. IOC members were ushered in to Frank Sinatra’s “My Kind of Town”. The venue is home to the Bulls of the National Basketball Association and NBA star Michael Jordan taped a welcome message for the IOC that was played on the overhead scoreboard.
As the planned home for Olympic handball, basketball and gymnastics – young athletes in these disciplines demonstrated their sports to the evaluation team. Gymnastic Olympians Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci were on hand to greet the IOC.
“I support Chicago because Romania is not bidding” Comaneci, Gold Medalist at the 1976 Olympics laughed when she spoke with GamesBids.com.
“My husband is from Chicago and America is now my adopted home” she explained.
Conner, Gold medalist at the 1984 Olympic Games, spoke of trust when he explained why Chicago should be chosen to host in 2016. “[The IOC] wants to make sure it’s in good hands; based on leadership and based on athlete-centered Games … it’s in good hands.”
Tomorrow it’s back to the boardroom for Chicago 2016 and the IOC Evaluation Commission; they will continue to review the bid book. Later in the evening the IOC members will be treated to a cultural event with special guest and Chicago native Oprah Winfrey.
