Posted on 06/17/2009 8:54:30 AM PDT by STARWISE
With Chicago officials in Switzerland promoting Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid at an important site selection meeting, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned that President Obama is creating a new White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport.
According to the White House, 'this permanent White House office will promote the values of the Olympic Movement and encourage increased youth participation in athletics. The primary function of the Office will be to enhance awareness of the Olympic Movement through promotion of its fundamental principles at the federal level."
From the White House...
President Obama Announces New White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport
WASHINGTON - Today, President Barack Obama announced the formation of the White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport.
This permanent White House office will promote the values of the Olympic Movement and encourage increased youth participation in athletics. The primary function of the Office will be to enhance awareness of the Olympic Movement through promotion of its fundamental principles at the federal level.
President Obama said, "It is an important goal of my administration to give our nation's children every possible tool they need to grow, learn and succeed in life. A key part of this is increasing access to healthy, constructive activities like sports for our nation's children.
Too many American kids - particularly those in urban areas - have no access to organized sporting activities. Sports are an important way to instill values, judgment and teamwork in our nation's kids, and this new office reflects our commitment to giving all our children a chance to thrive.
As the International Olympic Committee moves forward with their selection process we hope that this new office can serve as a model for youth involvement worldwide."
The White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport will:
* Recommend federal policies and programs to the President to enhance opportunities and access for youth participation in sport, with particular focus on youth in urban areas
* Foster and encourage youth sporting, educational and cultural events involving Olympic values-based programs and the participation of U.S. Olympians and Paralympians
The Office will also work in coordination with appropriate executive departments and agencies, including the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, to:
* Engage in outreach to state and local government officials, nonprofit organizations and the private sector
* Coordinate federal resources, and act as liaison to, any organizing committee for an Olympic and Paralympic Games hosted in the United States
* And work closely with the United States Olympic Committee and national sport governing bodies to increase access and opportunities for youth to participate in sports.
With the exception of the Unions, a lot of people on the left and right is oppose to this big time..
Sensible Lending Hurdles (with Acorn shock troops as hurdles).
Overbearing taxation power lift.
Toilet repair sprints.
You’re right... this is fun.
My b/f is in Chicago and he sends me articles. *shiver* This might be the one thing that could end the Daley reign; they are THAT mad over resources being diverted over the Olympic bid.
and as you point out, it doesn’t matter whether left or right.
06/17/2009
Uh oh, No O.
(LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND) President Barack Obama has been more than generous with his time when it comes to supporting Chicago’s Olympic bid. During the final months of the campaign he joined a rally at Daley Plaza. The President has mentioned the bid in speeches and recorded several video messages played to influential members of the Olympic movement.
But here in Lausanne, the task of underscoring federal support for Chicago’s bid fell to White House Senior Advisor (and former Chicago 2016 board member) Valerie Jarrett. She spoke via videotape to the IOC.
President Lula of Brazil recorded a message for the IOC as did Madrid’s President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. When asked why there was no Obama message, Chicago 2016 Chairman Patrick Ryan said Chicago chose to follow the rules of the presentation set forth by the IOC. They stipulate no celebrities or political leaders need attend.
~~~~~~~
Let the presentations begin!
(LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND) Chicago Mayor Richard Daley went to a museum today but he’s not focused on the past. He used his time here at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland with the goal of winning a competition that could change the city’s future.
Daley leads the Chicago 2016 delegation for one of only two opportunities to lobby the IOC at large. All of the 2016 Candidate Cities are here in Lausanne making their case for why they would be the best location for the Games.
More than 90 of the 107 International Olympic Committee members who will pick the winner are present.
~~~
Post Game Interviews
(LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND) Have I mentioned this place looks like the front of a postcard?
Chicago’s bid team let out a huge sigh of relief following the conclusion of their presentation this morning. I was with them as they retreated to a lovely hotel nestled at the top of a great lawn that spills into Lake Geneva. Mayor Daley slipped off his suit coat while seeking shade under a century old tree.
Daley’s team is talking-up Chicago’s compact plan to host the Games in the heart of the city. Chicago’s team will also use part of the 45 minute presentation to reassure IOC members that sufficient private funds can be raised to host the Olympics.
Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid are also presenting today. They will call their plans “reliable” during a global recession because each city would receive federal funding to host the Games.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some hearty souls DO NOT WANT the Olympics in Chicago
###
06/16/2009
From Chicago, with love
(LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND) They traveled 4,000 miles and spent several thousand dollars of their own money to deliver a simple message:
We don’t want the Olympics in Chicago.
Three representatives of the group “No Games Chicago” made a perfectly timed visit to International Olympic Committee Headquarters in Switzerland. They arrived just as IOC President Jacques Rogge concluded a press briefing, which meant many reporters were on hand to document their gripes.
“Lack of money. Lack of competence. Lack of infrastructure. Lack of public support. How’s that?” responded Tom Tresser when I asked why Chicago doesn’t deserve the Games.
Tresser and his cadre delivered boxes of news clippings to the IOC detailing corruption and budget problems in Chicago and Illinois.
A reporter from Chicago 2016 competitor Rio de Janeiro even helped the No Games group carry their boxes into the IOC offices. The Olympic Committee’s chief communications officer met with Tresser. The IOC’s Evaluation Commission also listened to the group’s gripes during their visit to Chicago in April.
http://abc7chicago.typepad.com/going_for_the_games/
“new events”
javelin chucking
javelin catching
Have all the stimulus funds been accounted for?
javelin chucking
javelin catching”
Extra points for a bullseye in the heart???
“Too many American kids - particularly those in urban areas - have no access to organized sporting activities. Sports are an important way to instill values, judgment and teamwork in our nation’s kids, and this new office reflects our commitment to giving all our children a chance to thrive.”
They have no access to sports? Then who is it that riots when their team wins? So much crap....
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