(Mom and I at “Chicago Believes” Event at Millenium Park)

Ever hear Frank Sinatra’s song, “My Kind of Town?” Growing up in the heart of Chicago, I couldn’t agree with “Ol Blue Eyes” more! If you didn’t already know, “the city that never let’s you down” is trying to win the Olympic bid for the 2016 Games and bring the Olympics back to US soil after a twenty year hiatus. I couldn’t be more excited about the possibility of having the Olympics take place in the city I still call home, even after moving away over ten years ago.

Earlier this year, the International Olympic Committee named Chicago as one of four candidate cities still in the running towards hosting the 2016 Olympics (Rio, Tokyo and Madrid are the other finalists). Since the announcement Chicago has kicked into high gear, hosting major fund raisers to see this journey through to the final decision made by the IOC in October 2009. 

Just a couple weeks ago, my Mom and I attended an amazing event hosted by Chicago 2016 at Millenium Park, called “Chicago Believes.” Chicago Olympians were invited to the event to represent the US Olympic Movement and interact with guests and donors shedding light on what it would mean to the athletes, the city and the entire nation to bring the Olympic Games to our city.

This was an easy gig for me…Having competed in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, I know firsthand how exciting a prospect hosting the Olympics on US soil really is. Walking into Olympic Stadium in Atlanta in 1996 remains one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I’ve never felt more proud to be an American than on that day. In 1996 I had the opportunity to be on the receiving end of the overflowing pride, passion and love of the American public. In 2016 I hope to be in the city I love, Chicago dishing it out to the next generation of Olympians!    

(From left; Pete Halpin, his friend Mike, me, Craig & wife Adrienne Fasano)

Chicago 2016

For more information on Chicago’s Olympic bid, go to chicago2016.org

No Comments »