University Archives News

Olympic Fever

With the International Olympic Committee (IOC) being just a few days from announcing the host of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, this is not the only time that Chicago has been the scene of Olympic fever.

Though Chicago has never held an Olympics before, it has – specifically Evanston -- played host to Track and Field qualifiers for the 1912, 1932 and 1948 Olympic Games at the former Northwestern University Field and at Dyche Stadium, or as we now know it, Ryan Field. That's right; Northwestern has played its own part in Olympic history. Before a sometimes packed stadium, hundreds of hopeful, young men and women came to Evanston with their dreams of competing in the Olympic Games. One young man in particular, William Porter, was a Northwestern University student who did go on to compete in the 1948 Olympic Games. Porter ended up winning the gold medal in the 110 meter hurdles.

Now, with the IOC about to make its decision on which city will hold the 2016 Summer Olympics, Chicago makes its appearance on the international stage. And if Chicago does end up winning the bid, there has been talk that Northwestern could, once again, serve as the site for some events.