IIT - Inventing the Future

HOME NEEDED: 2016 OLYMPICS

If that was a true classified ad Mayor Daley would have been the first person on Craigslist.com to reply. On Friday, October 2^nd Chicago and the rest of the world will be anxiously waiting to hear the announcement for the host of the 2016 Olympics. The international Olympic Committee‘s 100-plus members will select the host in Copenhagen. For some time now Chicago has been abuzz with the possibility of hosting this international event. Our iconic skyline is decked out in the Olympic colors: blue, red, yellow, green, and black. Many buildings also have the Olympics tagline, “LET FRIENDSHIP SHINE” and Chicago’s own Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama have traveled to the capital of Denmark to help pitch the idea of having the greatest athletes compete in our backyard.  Mayor Daley and other constituents have been aggressively debated and discussed how Chicago could financially and spatially adapt to bring the great world event to the Windy City. With the economy and CTA infrastructure a concern, our lack of space is not. As conversations still continue on where specific construction and reconstruction may occur, IIT is in the midst of this dialogue as being a pivotal factor in helping sponsor this world circuit of mega events. Here are some formal ways, as President John Anderson has outlined, in how IIT and its students will benefit:

The university has executed three letters of intent or interest supporting the Chicago 2016 Olympic Committee bid.

1. IIT has committed to make available, at market prices, 500 beds of university housing for Olympics support personnel. Overall, IIT has more than 1,900 beds, and this commitment is considered appropriate and could be expanded at the discretion of the university in the future.

2. IIT has agreed to negotiate the potential use and rent of IIT facilities (classrooms, auditoriums, parking, athletic facilities, etc.). This is to be mutually agreed upon by both IIT and the Olympic Committee.

3. IIT has indicated a willingness to discuss the potential use by IIT of some of the housing to be constructed for the athlete Olympic Village, to be located off 31st Street at the existing Michael Reese campus.

The Chicago Olympic bid has been submitted to the International Olympic Committee. In addition, dozens of IIT faculty, staff, and students have participated on various Olympic planning committees, and volunteered in supporting efforts. In the fall semester, a student IPRO (learn more about IPRO’s here!) will be demonstrating concepts for sustainable portable modular housing, which could support Olympic athlete or support-personnel housing.

Informally, there are a few reasons why this will be significantly beneficial to the IIT community. First, our students will be at the epicenter of the remodeling stage of Chicago to prepare itself for the Olympics. The years leading up to the start of the Olympics will be the most important for research, preparation and construction. The opportunities for IIT students will be robust and their brilliant minds will be needed! Remember how cool the “birds nest” or the “water cube” looked at the Beijing Olympics? Imagine telling a future employer you participated in creating such essential structures!  Secondly, it will expose everyone to the international worldview that many people do not have a chance to witness. The Olympics would bring a flare of great exposure to students. Even if you can’t get your hands on a ticket, it would be monumental see the international crowds throughout the city. It is one thing to be near cultural neighborhoods but it’s another to see the unification of these cultures (imagine Chinatown!!)

So, the countdown is drawing to an end, and each day brings us closer to the edge of our seat in anticipation. We are up against some stiff competition with Madrid, Tokyo, and Rio de Janeiro but to be a finalist should make us proud to be a part of such a historic City. Whichever metropolis wins the bid, we must remember that the Olympics are just not about the sports, but rather it is about the celebration of life and its purpose….but  I’d just rather celebrate  in person down the street =).

Malhotra out!

PS: Get in the spirit at www.Chicago2016.org!