Local WSIU
(2006-12-13)
CHICAGO
(Chicago Public Radio) -
Chicago's Olympic Committee is pushing forward to secure the 2016 Summer Games.Mayor Richard Daley and his Olympic Committee last night addressed about 1,500 of Chicago's business elite, urging them to support the city's Olympic dreams.
Chicago Olympic Chief Patrick Ryan insists the Games would be privately funded, making the black tie event an ideal opportunity to gain support.
"This is an important audience. This is an audience that influences a lot of other people, and I think they were quite enthusiastic about tonight. Every time we're out talking to people, more people get enthusiastic, and money gets easier to raise," Ryan says.
The city's proposal includes a $1.1 billion Olympic Village and a stadium that would cost close to $400 million.
The United States Olympic Committee is expected to decide whether an American city will bid within the next two months. Los Angeles is also in contention for the U.S. nomination. © Copyright 2012, Chicago Public Radio
