Two days prior to the International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) visiting Chicago, the Chicago 2016 team reached out to the LGBT community with an information-filled presentation for about 70 individuals at Circuit, 3641 N. Halsted. ( Pictured: Mike Murnane ( left ) and Michael Segobiano. Photo by Andrew Davis )
Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Chicago and the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations' Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues co-sponsored the event.
Mike Murnane, Chicago 2016's director of ethic and regional outreach, gave a comprehensive talk that covered fundamentals about the team as well as its quest to become the host city of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
First, Murnane stressed that Chicago 2016 is supported 100 percent through private donations and that the department is not a City of Chicago agency, even though Mayor Richard Daley is the honorary chairman.
Chicago is one of four candidate cities, along with Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Tokyo, Japan; and Madrid, Spain. According to Murnane, Rio may have an edge because the Olympics have never been held in South America; Tokyo has experience, having hosted the 1964 Olympics; and Madrid may have backing from the European Union.
However, Chicago has its own strengths, Murnane said, including a venue plan that would have 91 percent of the athletes within 15 minutes of their competition venues; the city's passion for sports, which results in 8 million tickets being sold yearly for sports-related events; a huge network of hotels and shops; the mass-transit system; ethnic/cultural diversity; and ( last but not least ) the support of such dignitaries as President Barack Obama and basketball superstar Michael Jordan, who both taped video messages for the visiting contingent.
Murnane also talked about the goals, which obviously include hosting the Games, but also included "contributing to the Olympic movement and the lasting legacy to the city of Chicago." He added that reaching youth, providing a home-field advantage for U.S. athletes, "building bridges of friendship" and "transforming the urban landscape" were also motivating factors in Chicago's attempt to secure the bid.
The economic impact of the Games is likely another motivational aspect. According to Murnane, the Games would bring 315,000 new job-years ( encompassing temporary and permanent positions ) to Chicago. In addition, the city could expect 2.5 million visitors, with some arriving a year before the Games begin, Murnane said.
Lastly, Murnane said that people can do several things to help, including visiting www.Chicago2016.org; linking that Web site to organizational sites; and including information in corporate newsletters.
A Q&A took place after the talk. Bob Zuley of the Lakeview Action Coalition asked about the possible impact on homeless youth, including displacement. Michael Segobiano, the chief bid liaison for the City of Chicago, said that "no one will be displaced."
Israel Wright, a board member of the Federation of Gay Games, commented that the presentation should be modified to include the LGBT community. Both Segobiano, who is openly gay, and Murnane agreed. In response to someone else's question regarding homophobia, Segobiano stressed how gay-friendly Daley ( a member of the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame ) has been.
Also, for those who are concerned about Cubs games taking place at Wrigley Field during the Olympics, should Chicago get the nod, they will not be played. It turns out that the tennis games would be played at the Waveland Tennis Courts at Addison Street and Lake Shore Drive. In addition, Segobiano said that there would be no moratorium on community events during the Games.
In June, the official presentation to the IOC will take place in Lausanne, Switzerland. The IOC will select the host city Oct. 2 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
For more information, see www.Chicago2016.org .
