CHICAGO (09-Oct) -- Race organizers and local officials hope that Sunday's Bank of America Chicago Marathon will highlight the city's status as a candidate city for the 2016 Olympic Games. Some 250 volunteers from Chicago's Olympic bid committee will be on the race course to lead fans in cheering, and Olympians from different sports will be on hand throughout the week; some will even hand out finisher medals.
"The marathon has a long tradition of supporting the Olympic movement," said mayor Richard M. Daley at a press conference at the Chicago Hilton. "We would not pursue the Olympic Games if did not think it would benefit our people."
Doug Arnot, who heads up venues and games operations for Chicago's bid committee, praised the mayor and race director Carey Pinkowski for supporting their bid so strongly. "We're very, very fortunate to have somebody who understands the power (of the Olympic Games)," he said. He added: "Chicago's concept is to put the athletic competitions in the heart of the city, something which the marathon demonstrates."
Indeed. The famously flat Chicago race course showcases the various neighborhoods of the city, including the Theatre District, Loop, Little Italy, Chinatown and Greektown. That's the kind of international appeal which the bid committee hopes will impress IOC officials who will decide between Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo. The final decision be made next October, and for Arnot this is a long wait.
"Sort of a marathon of our own," he said.
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