Three Rhythmic National Team members (Seniors Ava Gehringer and JoAnna Arnold and Junior National Champion Marlee Shape) and Jazzy Kerber (Youth Elite Squad), all members of North Shore Rhythmics (Glenview, IL) performed at the “Chicago Believes” Chicago 2016 fund-raiser on July 14, which raised $12 million to support the nationwide effort as IOC Candidate City to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
About 2,500 guests dined and witnessed more than 65 Olympians, Paralympians, world championships and national team members and elite athletes in more than 20 sports that evening. Joined by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, tenor Rodrick Dixon, Hubbard Street Dance and a gospel choir, about 80 Olympians and Paralympians wished our Beijing-bound athletes “good luck” in Chicago fashion on a beautiful summer evening in Milennium Park. In attendance was USOC CEO and Olympian Jim Scherr, (wrestling, 1988), and IOC member and Olympian Bob Ctvrtlik along with Chicago’s Mayor Daley.
1988 Rhythmic Olympian Diane Simpson-Bundy coordinated many of the evening’s performances. She has been actively involved in the 2016 campaign and the promotion of rhythmic gymnastics as well.
