Patrick Ryan Continues Olympics Work

By Jake Guidry in News on Nov 13, 2009 9:20PM

Despite a failed attempt at securing the 2016 Games in Chicago, Patrick Ryan still has work to do on the Olympics front. Ryan, who was the head of the Chicago Olympics bid, was named chairman of the board of World Sport Chicago on Thursday, an organization whose focus is to get Chicago youth to participate in the wide range of Olympic sports. Ryan had promised that the city's work for the Olympics wouldn't end with the failed bid and this new position will test that promise.

According to HuffPo, Ryan said, "We may not have won the honor of hosting the games in 2016, but we have positively impacted the lives of thousands of kids, and we look forward to expanding our programs in the months and years to come to reach even more youth." He then added, "I'm honored to take on this role and personally oversee the activities."

World Sport Chicago actively sponsors events that introduces local youth to Olympic sports including archery, fencing, badminton, bocce, and other non-typical sports that most wouldn't have had the opportunity to play. The organization also hosted several international events during the 2016 bid, including the world boxing championships and gymnastics' American Cup. They will host the Chicago Cup wrestling tournament this weekend as well.