Biggest Event to Show Chicago Has What it Takes to Host 2016 Summer Olympics

In an effort to prove that Chicago is the best U.S. City to host the 2016 Olympics, it went after the 2007 World Boxing Championships, which will open here on Tuesday Oct.23, 2007.

The next couple of weeks will tell if Chicago had been successful in advancing it's cause by gauging the mood of the International Olympic Committee. Presently the expected record breaking athlete turnout and corporate sponsorship is impressive, however the city could have done better on marketing, which could be a contributing factor to the slow ticket sales.

The event is drawing close to 700 athletes from more than 200 countries. Because Chicago offers excellent facilities and service it wasn't hard for the International Boxing Federation to choose it for this event.

It is evident that the City should boost up some excitement about the event in short order. Beginning on Monday the boxers are expected to parade down the " Great Street of State Street" to the opening ceremonies at the historic Chicago Theater.

This is considered the biggest event for the city prior to the Olympic vote in 2009. If you will remember, Chicago is one of seven cities competing for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

This event will give the city of Chicago, the opportunity to shine with superior food and lodging services, medical services, press coverage, security and management of the event.

There is concern about the turn out. Ticket market experts have reported that there wasn't a demand for the event, due to the fact that popularity of the event is not too high. World Sport Chicago chairman Bill Scherr tells a different story and says ticket sales are strong, with the last two evening sessions expected to be sold out.

It seems that Chicago dropped the ball on marketing efforts for this event, by televising it more, or printing ads before spectators calendars filled up Although there has been advertisements on CTA buses and newsstands, along with five portable "K.O. Joe" statues, most that were polled said that they were not aware of the event until sometime last week.