Northwestern University Athletics
Murphy's Mark: 2016 Olympics in Chicago?
1/22/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
Jan. 22, 2007
2016 Olympics
Northwestern is very involved in Chicago's effort to host the Olympics in 2016. Pat Ryan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, was selected by Mayor Richard Daley to lead this effort. He is chair of the special exploratory committee that Mayor Daley formed. In addition, both President Henry Bienen and I are members of the Committee. Chicago will find out in March if it will be the United States representative to host the 2016 Olympics. The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) will choose between Chicago and Los Angeles. Initially, five cities submitted bids to host, but the USOC narrowed it to Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco, and San Francisco recently withdrew because of a failed effort by the 49ers to secure funding for a new stadium. Los Angeles has previously hosted Olympics on two occasions -- 1932 and 1984. After the USOC selects its representative, the International Olympic Committee will make the final decision regarding the 2016 Olympic site in 2009. Rio de Janeiro, Rome and New Delhi are expected to be the leading candidates to host the Olympics in 2016.
In determining what city to select as the U.S. representative, the USOC wants to see that the city can host international athletic events. In order to help in this effort, we have agreed to host a wrestling match on February 6 in Welsh-Ryan Arena between the United States and Russian national teams. It should be an exciting event that will feature some of the best wrestlers in the world. We will keep our fans posted as Chicago's effort to host the Olympics proceeds. Preliminarily, if Chicago does host the Olympics, it is likely that our facilities would be used for competition (men's and women's soccer -- Ryan Field) and practice (swimming, fencing, field hockey, volleyball).
Women's Lacrosse
Although there is snow on the ground (and the Bears are still playing!), our women's lacrosse team begins the defense of its second national championship this weekend with an exhibition game against the U.S. National Team at the Disney Sports Resort in Orlando. It should be a very interesting game, as both of our assistant coaches, Acacia Walker and Lindsay Munday, are members of the national team. Senior Kristen Kjellman and sophomore Meredith Frank are also members of the national team, but will play for us in the game. Best of luck to the team as they seek their third straight national championship.
Men's Swimming
Our men's swimming team has started the new year with a bang. We won the prestigious Dallas Morning News Championship, which included a win over No. 3 California. Seniors Matt Grevers and Mike Alexandrov are swimming their best now, and have both won significant awards for their outstanding performances.
