Pan-American, Ibero-American, USA National Weightlifting Championships taking place in Chicago June 4-7
CHICAGO-(June 3, 2009)-World Sport Chicago, the living legacy of Chicago 2016, is hosting more than 270 male and female athletes from 20 countries for the Pan-American, Ibero-American and USA National Weightlifting Championships taking place in Chicago from June 4-7 at the UIC Forum at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The event will help determine the athletes that go on to compete in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, and marks the first time the three federations have hosted championships together in one city.
"It is incredibly exciting that these three weightlifting federations are hosting their championships at once, and we're honored to host this international event in Chicago," said Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016. "With its cultural diversity and proud tradition of world-class athletics, Chicago is a perfect setting for the Pan-American championships."
World Sport Chicago partnered with the Pan-American Weightlifting Federation to bring Olympic, World and Pan-American champions to Chicago for the events. Athletes from Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, the United States and Venezuela will compete for the Pan-Am, Ibero and US National titles. For a complete list of participants and competition schedule, visit www.worldsportchicago.org/weightlifting-championships.aspx. Results and photos will be posted to the website daily.
The weightlifting competition will take place Thursday, June 4, through Sunday, June 7. Competition will begin at 9 a.m. each day, and a medal ceremony and media availability will take place after every session (every two hours). The event is free and open to the general public.
According to event directors, there are nearly as many unique back-stories as there are athletes themselves. American competitors include a 4-foot-8-inch former college volleyball player, a super heavyweight shot putter, and a 2010 Olympic bobsled team contender. The weightlifting championships are especially exciting for Cuba, whose relatively new women's team has rarely competed on an international stage. Colombia, proud to call weightlifting its national sport, will be showcasing many athletes who competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. In fact, a large percentage of the Colombian delegation in Beijing consisted of weightlifters.
In addition to the weightlifting championships, World Sport Chicago will host a variety of interactive clinics and activities geared toward kids throughout the four days of competition, including:
* June 4: Performance tips from strength and conditioning coaches from UIC and Northwestern University
* June 5: An NBC Fitness Team event and power lifting demonstrations by three-time Paralympian Mary Stack
* June 6 and June 7: Nutrition, sports medicine and sports psychology clinics led by local doctors and nutritionists
For a complete schedule of clinics and activities, visit www.worldsportchicago.org/weightlifting-championships.aspx
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, children are invited to test their strength, endurance and flexibility at the interactive World Sport Chicago Fitness Zone station. According to event organizers, nearly 200 students from various Chicago Public Schools will attend, and community organizations such as UNO, Erie Neighborhood House and the Elliott Donnelley Youth Center will bring children and families to the events.
"We are delighted that local students will have the opportunity to be a part of this event," said honorary event chairman Gery Chico. "As event organizers, it's important to us that the Pan-American, Ibero-American and USA National Weightlifting Championships leaves a lasting legacy for young athletes long after the final medal ceremony on Sunday."
World Sport Chicago is an Illinois not-for-profit working to enhance the image, awareness and participation in Olympic sports across Chicago and to extend Chicago's international outreach through and for sport and youth.
"In bringing world champion weightlifters and other international events to Chicago over the past few years, it's been our hope to engage Chicagoans in Olympic and Paralympic sports," said Bill Scherr, chairman of World Sport Chicago. "We hope that these visiting athletes can serve as an inspiration to children and adults alike, and encourage people of all ages to be active."
Chicago is one of four Candidate Cities along with Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Madrid vying for the honor to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The 2016 Host City will be named on October 2, 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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About World Sport Chicago
World Sport Chicago (WSC) is an Illinois not-for-profit working to enhance the image, awareness and participation in Olympic sports across Chicago and to extend Chicago's international outreach through and for sport and youth. Focused on promoting the development of recreational and competitive sport to the area's youth, WSC works closely with Chicago 2016 and Chicago's 2016's Athlete Advisory Counsel (AAC) to provide sport expertise and athlete insight to the execution of these sporting events. WSC intends to aid Chicago in developing a sustainable, international sporting legacy as a real agent of social change for the city. William Scherr, an Olympic medalist in wrestling, is chairman of the board and Scott Myers serves as the executive director.
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