Even the absence of Michael Jordan, a Chicago Bulls legend, failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the 3,600 people who attended the sold-out dinner and ceremony at McCormick Place.

 

 

Each had paid at $500 (£302) per ticket.

 

Jordan, an ambassador for Chicago 2016 who won Olympic gold medals in 1984 and 1992, had helped promote the event but was unable to attend.

 

But about two dozen athletes, coaches and an Olympic official were inducted with such big-name attendees as basketball greats Patrick Ewing and Scottie Pippen, track star Mihael Johnson and Mike Krzyzewski, who was an assistant coach on the 1992 Dream Team and will guide preparations for London 2012.

 

Patrick Ryan, the President and chief executive of Chicago 2016, said: “The Hall of Fame ceremony was a tremendous success.

 

"I was gratified by the huge turnout and the continuing display of public support for our bid.

 

"The depth of that support has permitted our campaign to be financed entirely by private donations.”

Chicago 2016 has now exceeded its fund-raising goals.

 

Before the dinner, Chicago 2016 had raised $66.6 million (£40.2 million) in cash and $9.5 million (£5.7 million) in pledges.

 

These funds were raised to pay for the $9 million (£5.4 million) domestic phase of the competition and the $49.3 million (£26.5 million) international campaign, and to finance World Sport Chicago, the legacy organisation created by Chicago 2016 to engage young people in sport, promote Olympic values and produce a lasting legacy of Chicago ’s bid for the Games.

Ryan said: “The USOC and [sponsors] Allstate have played an invaluable role in tonight’s event and we thank them for their generosity and dedication to Chicago ’s bid and to the future legacy programmes supported by this wonderful event.

 

"We also extend a sincere congratulations to all of the inductees honored tonight.

 

"It was thrilling to have so many athletes in our great city.”

Most of the money raised on Wednesday will be devoted to World Sport Chicago.

 

The legacies created by the bid, including World Sport Chicago, represent a critical part of Chicago 2016’s plan.

About 200 youngsters involved in World Sport Chicago programmes and activities lined the blue carpet outside McCormick Place and welcomed the Olympians, Paralympians and guests in attendance.

 

The young people later took seats inside to watch the induction ceremonies.

Bill Scherr, the chairman of World Sport Chicago and a director of the 2016 bid, said: “World Sport Chicago has already touched the lives of more than 30,000 Chicago kids through sport introduction programme, coaching clinics and other initiatives.

 

"The money raised at the Hall of Fame induction will ensure that the organisation can expand its current efforts and reach thousands more youth in the years ahead, whether or not we are fortunate enough to win the 2016 Games.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOCO will select the Host City at its Session in Copenhagen on October 2.

 

The other finalists are Madrid , Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo .

The induction ceremony, hosted by Dan Hicks and Summer Sanders, will air on NBC in a nationally televised broadcast on September 5.