Olympic boxing in Pavilion
Matches to be held on campus
Dana Williams
Issue date: 4/30/07 Section: News
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Media Credit: Jamison NashThe boxing competition would be held in the UIC Pavilion if Chicago hosts the 2016 Olympics.
The U.S. Olympic Committee decided the 2016 Olympics will be held in Chicago, if the United States is chosen as the host country.
Though nine years away, it is interesting nevertheless to consider how hosting this major event will affect both Chicago and the UIC campus.
"This is a great thing to showcase Chicago to the world and to showcase the campus as well," said Mark Rosati, associate chancellor of public affairs. "UIC will be made known to the world."
According to Rosati, UIC is scheduled to host the boxing competition in the Pavilion, "so there is a direct connection to campus."
However, this brings up the concern of congestion on campus as tourists flock to the event.
"Traffic conditions [currently] get horrible and an estimated five million people go to the Olympics," said Juan Tinoco, a first year teaching of mathematics major. "Imagine how harsh traffic conditions are going to be."
"Of course traffic around UIC and throughout the city would be congested, but this is only a small price to pay for the advertisement the university would get," said Luis Diaz, a fourth year education major.
Rosati is not concerned traffic will be an issue on campus.
"We have a very effective police force, many arteries-streets-that run throughout campus, and effective parking," said Rosati, who also noted this would occur during the summer session when there is a drastically decreased volume of students on campus.
Rosati estimated there are only about 1,000 students on-campus during summer session.
"In regards to the Olympics at UIC, I see only good things resulting," said Diaz. "UIC could be beautiful like the city."
Diaz believes the Olympics would not only advertise Chicago to the world, but it would also eradicate gentrification, increase development and raise awareness of physical fitness to residents.
"The impact, I believe, would be one that would have effects that would outweigh the negative effects," said Diaz.
Other students are still concerned about the negative aspects of having the Olympics in the city.
"Personally, I am split in the decision because there are some good factors to it, like profits in small businesses, but at the same time don't like the idea because I will have to face the crowded conditions of public transportation," said Tinoco.
Of course, it is tough to accurately assess what the exact impact of hosting the games will have on the city and the campus.
UIC's current students will no longer be students, but Rosati indicates that 60 percent of the current student population is from Cook County.
"It is a pretty long way off, but the city is very excited," said Rosati.
"Whether or not I'm here in nine years, knowing that I was present for the making of history satisfies me like nothing else," Jacob Wilson, a first year political science major.
The decision as to whether Chicago will be selected to host the Olympics will be made in 2009.
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Though nine years away, it is interesting nevertheless to consider how hosting this major event will affect both Chicago and the UIC campus.
"This is a great thing to showcase Chicago to the world and to showcase the campus as well," said Mark Rosati, associate chancellor of public affairs. "UIC will be made known to the world."
According to Rosati, UIC is scheduled to host the boxing competition in the Pavilion, "so there is a direct connection to campus."
However, this brings up the concern of congestion on campus as tourists flock to the event.
"Traffic conditions [currently] get horrible and an estimated five million people go to the Olympics," said Juan Tinoco, a first year teaching of mathematics major. "Imagine how harsh traffic conditions are going to be."
"Of course traffic around UIC and throughout the city would be congested, but this is only a small price to pay for the advertisement the university would get," said Luis Diaz, a fourth year education major.
Rosati is not concerned traffic will be an issue on campus.
"We have a very effective police force, many arteries-streets-that run throughout campus, and effective parking," said Rosati, who also noted this would occur during the summer session when there is a drastically decreased volume of students on campus.
Rosati estimated there are only about 1,000 students on-campus during summer session.
"In regards to the Olympics at UIC, I see only good things resulting," said Diaz. "UIC could be beautiful like the city."
Diaz believes the Olympics would not only advertise Chicago to the world, but it would also eradicate gentrification, increase development and raise awareness of physical fitness to residents.
"The impact, I believe, would be one that would have effects that would outweigh the negative effects," said Diaz.
Other students are still concerned about the negative aspects of having the Olympics in the city.
"Personally, I am split in the decision because there are some good factors to it, like profits in small businesses, but at the same time don't like the idea because I will have to face the crowded conditions of public transportation," said Tinoco.
Of course, it is tough to accurately assess what the exact impact of hosting the games will have on the city and the campus.
UIC's current students will no longer be students, but Rosati indicates that 60 percent of the current student population is from Cook County.
"It is a pretty long way off, but the city is very excited," said Rosati.
"Whether or not I'm here in nine years, knowing that I was present for the making of history satisfies me like nothing else," Jacob Wilson, a first year political science major.
The decision as to whether Chicago will be selected to host the Olympics will be made in 2009.
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