Michael Jordan Joins Olympics Effort As Protesters Ready (VIDEO)
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Mayor Richard Daley wants Chicagoans to show they're revved up about the city's chance to host the 2016 Summer Olympics as an International Olympic Committee inspection team is set to arrive in town Thursday.
Daley is encouraging people to make Chicago 2016 posters and hang them in their windows. He says they should also visit the organizing committee's Web site and register their support or volunteer with the bid group.
"I ask all Chicagoans to join with me and all of us to welcome the IOC evaluation commission in sharing your love of our city, your excitement about the games," Daley said at a Wednesday press conference that precluded the IOC visit.
The IOC inspection team will be in Chicago until early next week to grade the city on its bid. Chicago is the first of the four finalists cities to be inspected. Chicago is competing against Tokyo, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro. The IOC will decide in October which city will be the host.
Chicago isn't counting on only its residents to impress the IOC.
Olympic officials previewed a video they will show the IOC that closes with one of Chicago's and the world's best known sports figures, Michael Jordan, proclaiming: "We're ready."
"He's helping us be ready," Chicago bid leader Pat Ryan said of the internationally known basketball player, who brings high-profile support to the bid.
Ryan said the IOC has told Chicago officials that a key component of bidding for the games is keeping enthusiasm about the Olympics high in a prospective host city.
Organizers say that's the case in Chicago and they cite a new poll that shows 78 percent of Chicagoans want the Games. They hope to see that support demonstrated this week while the IOC team is in town.
"We need the public to be engaged in support," Ryan said.
But not everyone is happy about the prospect of the Olympics coming to Chicago. Some groups have been critical, saying money for the games should go to housing and education and development associated with the Olympics will spur gentrification and displace people. The group "No Games Chicago" has said it plans a Thursday rally to coincide with the IOC team's visit.
The Olympics could transform Chicago just like other events have in its history from the Great Chicago Fire to the 1893 World's Fair, Daley said.
"The 2016 Olympics, Paralympic Games, would be such a moment for Chicago," he said.
Supporting the Olympics builds on the euphoria many Chicagoans felt when Barack Obama was elected president, said Chicago Alderman Leslie Hairston.
"We've got people really excited about things. And people believe that they actually can make a difference and they can do something. And this is just another opportunity for us to show off how beautiful our city is. ... For the first time, it's not just the guys in suits that are sealing the deal. It's everybody here," Hairston said.
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First Posted: 5/2/09 Updated: 5/25/11