White House to open Olympic office

As Chicago was preparing to present its bid for the 2016 summer Olympics before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Barack Obama announced the opening of a permanent White House Olympic Office.As Chicago was preparing to present its bid for the 2016 summer Olympics before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Barack Obama announced the opening of a permanent White House Olympic Office.

In a written statement the President said the office would be charged with encouraging youth participation in sports, according to reports in the Chicago Tribune.

The office will also recommend federal policies and programs designed to enhance opportunities, focusing on the involvement of youth in urban areas. According to a report at Universalsports.com the newly formed office will work with a variety of executive departments and agencies including the Department of Education and Health and Human Services and will reach out to state and local government, non-profit organizations and the private sector.

“It is an important goal of my administration to give our nation’s children every possible tool they need to grow, learn and succeed in life,” President Obama said in a news release. “A key part of this is increasing access to healthy, constructive activities like sports for our nation’s children. Too many American kids – particularly those in urban areas – have no access to organized sporting activities. This new office reflects our commitment to giving all our children a chance to thrive. We hope that this new office can serve as a model for youth involvement worldwide.”

No date was set for the opening of the office.

“We embrace and welcome this high-level White House support and advocacy. … ” said acting USOC Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Streeter. “Together we will create new opportunities for America’s youth and instill the values inherent in the Olympic Movement.”