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Mayor Daley Joins U.S. Olympic Committee, Allstate and Chicago 2016 to Dedicate Olympic-Themed Playground and New Field House at Jesse Owens Park

Olympic Monitor — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 08:03:06 +0000

Mayor Richard M. Daley, Alderman Michelle Harris (8th) and State Representative Marlow Colvin (22nd) joined the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), Chicago 2016, Allstate, the Chicago Park District and members of the Jesse Owens family to dedicate a new field house and Olympic-themed playground at Jesse Owens Park, 8800 S. Clyde, on the city’s South Side.

“Two weeks from today the International Olympic Committee will select the next host city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Mayor Daley. “That’s why today, with great excitement, we are celebrating Jesse Owens’ impact to our city and to the Olympic Movement by dedicating this Olympic-themed playground and new field house in his honor.”

Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany. He first gained national attention in Chicago in 1933, when he equaled the world 100-yard dash record in the National High School Championship meet. “Throughout his life, he embodied the commitment of the Olympic Movement to young people, and Chicago keeps his memory alive not only with this park where young people play, compete and learn the values of sport, but also at the Jesse Owens Community Academy where young people learn,” said Mayor Daley.

Plans for the new fully accessible playground were announced by Allstate and the USOC in 2008, during the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Chicago. The playground not only serves as a fun and safe place to play for local children and future Olympians and Paralympians, but also as a symbol of commitment to enhancing Chicago-area communities.

“The ‘Little Hands’ Playground is the first Olympic-themed playground in our city,” said Mayor Daley. “I’d like to thank Allstate for this state-of-the-art facility and for its commitment to promoting the Olympic Movement and enhancing our neighborhoods.”

The playground features competition stations throughout the playground with Olympic-inspired artwork by Chicago Art Group, a spray pool, Olympic medallions referencing important statistical Olympic records, a track-themed pathway bordering the playground, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility.

“Allstate is committed to improving Chicago’s neighborhoods and our longstanding alliance with the City of Chicago and the USOC has allowed us to leave this physical Olympic legacy for the City of Chicago,” said Alice Byrne, Allstate Field Vice President Midwest Region. “It is our hope that the ‘Little Hands’ Playground will provide a healthy and safe environment for children to play and envision their own Olympic dreams.”

The field house features a competition-sized gymnasium, fitness and club rooms, locker rooms, administrative support offices, central air conditioning, and is fully ADA accessible. The building was designed to achieve a Silver rating under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Rating System. Some of green elements of the building include a green roof, efficient lighting systems and a reflective roof and paving, which contributes less urban heat island effect.

Funds for the 18,500-square-foot field house were provided with $3.5 million from Representative Colvin, $3.2 million from Alderman Harris and City of Chicago tax increment financing (TIF) funds, and $3 million from proceeds from the Chicago Park District’s lease of its parking garages.

“This is a banner day for us,” said Parks Superintendent Tim Mitchell. “In these tough economic times, the Chicago Park District could not afford to bring projects like these to deserving communities alone. Thanks to the public-private partnership that has brought together City of Chicago TIF funds, State Rep Colvin’s member initiative funds, and a private donation from the Allstate Foundation and the USOC; we realize more than $9 million dollars in improvements to this park.”

“Allstate has been a longtime, supportive partner to the USOC and has shown a tremendous commitment to the Olympic Movement,” said USOC Acting Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Streeter. “Through programs like the ‘Little Hands’ Playgrounds, Allstate is spreading the Olympic spirit and active living opportunities to youth in Chicago. This playground is a shining example of the legacy of the Chicago 2016 bid, just as it’s a vision of the legacy the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will leave for the youth of Chicago. The USOC extends our gratitude to Allstate and the City of Chicago for all they are doing to spread the Olympic spirit and to help make Chicago a true ‘playground of sport.’” With the announcement of the Host City for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games two weeks away, the opening of the playground and new field house is the latest catalyst to support Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Games.

Also in attendance at the dedication were Chicago Park District Superintendent Tim Mitchell, Allstate Regional Vice President Alice Byrne, USOC Chief Marketing Officer Lisa Baird, Board Chair, Chicago Park District Bob Pickens, Board President of the Chicago Park District Gery Chico, Public Building Commission Executive Director Erin Lavin, Director of Paralympic Sport and Accessibility for Chicago for Chicago 2016 Linda Mastandrea, Olympian Dian Simpson (Gymnastics 1988), Olympian Willie May (Athletics, 1960), Ann Swisshelm, Olympian (Curling 2002) and members of the Jesse Owens family.

“I’d like to thank everyone for their contributions for helping to make this new and improved park a reality,” said Mayor Daley. “This refurbished park is a good example of the private and public sector working to benefit our city.”

Source: Allstate

IOC and Atos Origin extend partnership to 2016

Olympic Monitor — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:08:18 +0000

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced an extension to its current partnership with Atos Origin through to 2016, including the XXII Olympic Winter Games (2014) in Sochi, Russia, and the Games of the XXXI Olympiad (2016).

Atos Origin has been a key technology provider for the Olympic Movement since becoming the Worldwide Information Technology Partner in 2001.

IOC President Jacques Rogge welcomed the extension to the Olympic partnership and the continued involvement of Atos Origin in the Olympic Games. “The Olympic Games would not happen without the use of Information Technology.” Rogge said. “We rely on Atos Origin’s world class expertise and experience, and I am absolutely delighted to announce that the IOC will continue its partnership with Atos Origin for a further four years through to 2016”.

Gerhard Heiberg, Chairman of the IOC Marketing Commission, said, “Atos Origin has been a TOP Partner for over eight years and has already committed to partnering with the Olympic Movement through to 2016. The association of its brand with the Olympic Games, as well as its proven capability to deliver major IT solutions, has brought its organisation global recognition.”

Jean-Benoît Gauthier, IOC Director of Technology, said Atos Origin had played a critical role in the success of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, “Atos Origin is able to work with different stakeholders and technology partners, bringing them together to provide a seamless IT solution for the Olympic Games. Atos Origin has demonstrated its ability to deliver a very complex IT system for the Olympic Games on time and to budget through several editions of the Games. In Beijing this process involved years of preparation, over 4,000 IT experts, and 200,000 hours of testing. I’m delighted we will able to rely on Atos Origin for at least another four years.”

Thierry Breton, Chairman and CEO of Atos Origin, said, “We are particularly proud of our long-term partnership with the International Olympic Committee – a relationship based on enduring trust. We will continue to surpass ourselves from one Olympiad to the next, and will commit to deliver high level services as part of our mission for the Olympic Games. Managing this highly complex project and bringing together all the necessary cutting-edge technologies require a unique expertise – the ability to optimally combine processes, technologies and the skills of both our staff and of other partners”.

Wal-Mart Foundation Gives $1.6 Million to Support 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games

Olympic Monitor — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:13:33 +0000

Grant to support Idaho’s efforts to ‘Green the Games’

The Wal-Mart Foundation today announced a $1.1 million grant to the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho. The grant will be used to help launch a “Greening the Games” initiative to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the upcoming games.

Thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities from more than 100 countries will travel to Idaho to compete in the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games February 7-13. Earlier this year, the Wal-Mart Foundation awarded an additional $500,000 grant to the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, for a total contribution of $1.6 million in support of the event.

“As a valued employer of people with disabilities and a company that recognizes its responsibilities to the communities it serves, Wal-Mart is showing great corporate citizenship and civic virtue by contributing so generously to so worthy a cause,” said Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter. “The Wal-Mart Foundation’s assistance will help ensure the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games will be a legacy of accomplishment and success for Idaho and for the individual athletes and families involved.”

Through the “Greening the Games” initiative, the Wal-Mart Foundation’s grant will help bring ‘green’ buses into the World Winter Games fleet to provide transportation for athletes, coaches and supporters. The green buses will operate on Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), which is an environment-friendly alternative to bio-diesel fuel or natural gas. The grant will also support a recycling program at the games, aimed at recycling 50% of the materials used, and help source local food for the athletes in an effort to reduce transportation emissions.

“Wal-Mart is proud to support the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games as well as Idaho’s efforts to host an eco-friendly event,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Wal-Mart Foundation. “Through their active participation and support, our associates at Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs across the country have demonstrated that Special Olympics is an organization that is important to our company.”

Since 2007, the Wal-Mart Foundation has awarded more than $3.7 million to support Special Olympics programs in communities across the country. Wal-Mart is recognized as one of the leading employers of people with disabilities in the nation. In 2007, Wal-Mart was recognized for the fourth year in a row as one of the “Top 50 Employers” for providing a positive working environment for people with disabilities according to a poll sponsored by CAREERS and the disABLED magazine. Additionally, in 2008, Wal-Mart was recognized by the National Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, as an Outstanding Employer for People with Disabilities.

“We are thrilled to have Wal-Mart’s support in taking steps to make our Games as ‘green’ as possible,” said Chip Fisher, CEO and Chairman of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. “These Games are an opportunity for us to set an example of how future events like this can and should make the environment a priority to some degree in the planning process.”

With support from the Wal-Mart Foundation, the World Winter Games developed a website for the “Greening the Games” initiative (http://www.greeningthegames.org/). The website provides information and tools to help visitors learn how to reduce their impact on the environment. The website features a carbon calculator, a carbon offset program, a blog on green initiatives and a list of eco-friendly ideas that can be applied to everyday life. The Wal-Mart Foundation will also help produce “How-to-Go-Green” kits that will be distributed to athletes, families and visitors at the games. The kits will provide eco-friendly ideas that they can take home and implement in their own communities.

2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games:

The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games will be held in Idaho, USA, 7-13 February 2009 and up to 3,000 athletes from more than 100 countries are expected to compete. Surpassing the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games in athlete numbers and participating nations, the World Winter Games will be the largest multi-day winter sporting event ever held in Idaho. Competition will take place in seven winter sports — Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Figure Skating, Floor Hockey, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing and Speed Skating. Competition and other activities will take place in communities and venues throughout Idaho including but not limited to Boise, Sun Valley and McCall. For more information, visit http://www.2009worldgames.org/ .

Wal-Mart Foundation

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and the Wal-Mart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Wal-Mart Foundation supports initiatives focused on enhancing opportunities in education, job skills training, sustainability and health. In 2007, Walmart, Sam’s Club and the Wal-Mart Foundation gave $296 million to communities across the United States. To learn more, visit http://www.walmartfoundation.org/.