Spirit of Olympism in Chicago

Olympians Converge on Chicago to Discuss Olympism during Olympic Week in America

Chicago, IL – Olympians past and present joined the Olympism Project at the University of Chicago for the Spirit of Olympism, a reception and dialogue about Olympic ideals and their power to bring about social change. The event is was held in conjunction with Olympic Week in America.

The event was attended by Olympians, members of the U.S. Olympic Committee, the U.S. and World Olympians alumni groups, and leaders of the Chicago 2016 Olympics bid. The evening was hosted by Olympic Scholar John MacAloon and Olympic Project co-founders Nathaniel Mills (Speedskating 1992, 1994, 1998) and Eli Wolff (Soccer 1996, 2004).

Earlier in the day Mills and Wolff facilitated dialogue on Olympism with students from Chicago public schools, who were linked by web-conference to their peers in London and Boston.
“Olympism as the holder and distributor of social peace, this will be the final rung to climb.”
- Pierre de Coubertin, Modern Olympic Movement

The Olympism Project responds to the growing need for values education within the Olympic Movement and sport worldwide. Formed by Olympians Nathaniel Mills (Speedskating '92, '94, '98) and Eli Wolff (Paralympic Soccer, '96, '04) and colleagues from the International Olympic Academy in Olympia, Greece, the Olympism Project fosters world citizenship through values education & skills training, inspiring students and clients to take personal responsibility for increasing world peace through sport.

The Project incubates, nurtures & supports educational, training, and research ventures worldwide that honor Olympism principles: Fair Play & Sportsmanship; Joy in Effort; Peace & Service; World Citizenship. Olympism Project partners with Sport in Society, a Northeastern University Center, and has delivered Olympism trainings, workshops, round-table events, and educational campaigns in cities and communities across the United States and worldwide.