With Olympics, Chicago could become a tennis town
Dunja Antunovic
Issue date: 9/28/09 Section: Sports
The potentials of professional tennis are mere visions at this point when the decision about the host city has not been made yet. However, Chicago 2016's purpose of the bid was not only to hope for a change, but to create change.
"We are not just focusing on the facilities, but on programming as well," Vegosen said. "Even if we don't get the Olympics, the plan of the 2016 Committee is to leave a legacy for sport in Chicago."
The first steps in this direction were to expand opportunities for children in Chicago. In July, the USTA, in partnership with Chicago 2016 opened three regional training centers in the Chicago area where the QuickStart program was launched. The program's objective is to draw kids of 10 and under into the game of tennis.
"We bring the program into schools and communities to get urban youth into sports in a very affordable way," Vegosen said. "These will remain whether or not we get the Olympics."
In seven years these kids might have the opportunity to watch the Olympics matches live. They might even have the opportunity to play in the stadium. The further plans for the sport will be clearer after October 2nd. Regardless of what happens in Copenhagen, the legacy, and the yet to be realized dreams, live.
"We are not just focusing on the facilities, but on programming as well," Vegosen said. "Even if we don't get the Olympics, the plan of the 2016 Committee is to leave a legacy for sport in Chicago."
The first steps in this direction were to expand opportunities for children in Chicago. In July, the USTA, in partnership with Chicago 2016 opened three regional training centers in the Chicago area where the QuickStart program was launched. The program's objective is to draw kids of 10 and under into the game of tennis.
"We bring the program into schools and communities to get urban youth into sports in a very affordable way," Vegosen said. "These will remain whether or not we get the Olympics."
In seven years these kids might have the opportunity to watch the Olympics matches live. They might even have the opportunity to play in the stadium. The further plans for the sport will be clearer after October 2nd. Regardless of what happens in Copenhagen, the legacy, and the yet to be realized dreams, live.
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