Score another one for President hometown.
A large group of Olympians, politicians and kids gathered behind the Rayburn House Office Building on Wednesday to show their support for Chicago being chosen as the Olympic site in 2016 and to inspire kids to find their favorite sport and get fit.
Three-time Olympian speedskater Nathaniel Mills yelled, “You ready to roll?” and skated around the park with a large group of kids in tow, practicing the all-important art of passing the baton. Tim Morehouse — silver medal winner in fencing at last summer’s Olympics in Beijing — taught a group of kids swordsmanship with foam sabers. He even took some time to challenge a 2-foot-tall boy to a duel.
Across the lawn, Olympian Ryan Reser and Paralympian Myles Porter demonstrated their sport of judo, even letting a little boy show his strength and throw them over his shoulder. Caucus on Youth Sports Reps. Mike McIntyre, D-NC., Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and John Shimkus, R-Ill., all made an appearance to join in on the fun, with McIntyre getting some pointers on the mat with Reser and Porter.
Other Olympians in attendance were Bart Conner, two-time Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics; Arlene Limas, Olympian in tae kwon do; Bill Scherr, Olympian in wrestling; Melissa Merson, Olympian in the triathlon; and Ann Cody, Paralympian in track and field and basketball.
