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Zurich North America Commercial Supports Chicago's Bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Zurich North America Commercial, a leading property and casualty insurance provider, announced today its support for Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"The International Olympic Committee considers the level of support from the community in its selection of the Host City," said Mike Foley, CEO of Zurich North America Commercial. "Zurich has strong ties to the city of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, and wants to help Chicago 2016 in its efforts to secure the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Backing the bid is an opportunity for Zurich to show our dedication to the Games as a member of the business community. It's also an opportunity to show our support to Chicago, while continuing our history of contributing to the most important events in Chicago, similar to the support we provided to the World's Fair in the city in 1933."

Zurich Financial Services, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, became the first foreign insurer to enter the U.S. market and opened its U.S. headquarters in Chicago in 1912. Today, Schaumburg, Ill., a northwest suburb of Chicago, is home to Zurich Financial Services Group's North American headquarters. Zurich employs approximately 60,000 people worldwide and nearly 3,000 people in its offices in Schaumburg and Chicago.

Zurich North America Commercial will provide its support for the Chicago 2016 bid by:

1. Encouraging its employees to participate in fund-raising efforts coordinated by the Chicago 2016 committee;

2. Taking an active role in Chicago 2016's Summit on Sport and Sustainability;

3. Designating senior management team members to active roles in each of the following committees: Chicago 2016 bid committee, Next Generation Leadership Committee, and Environmental Advisory Sub-Committee; and

4. Hosting a community event in Schaumburg to help garner support from other Chicago area businesses.

For more information about the bid for the Chicago 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, go to http://www.chicago2016.org.

About Zurich

Zurich's North America Commercial and Global Corporate in North America business divisions are part of Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich), an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It employs approximately 60,000 people serving customers in more than 170 countries. In North America, Zurich (www.zurichna.com) is a leading commercial property-casualty insurance provider serving the global corporate, large corporate, middle market, specialties and programs sectors.

About Chicago 2016

Chicago 2016 is a 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to seek the privilege of hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Chicago. The committee's board consists of business, civic, athletic, cultural and academic leaders representing Chicago and the surrounding Midwest region. Patrick Ryan serves as the organization's chairman and CEO.

Editors' Note: Media representatives are invited to Zurich's employee kick-off event for Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 2 p.m. Central at the Zurich Towers in Schaumburg, Ill. During the event, former Olympian and 1998 wrestling Bronze medalist Bill Scherr will speak about his experience as an athlete and share information about Chicago's quest for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Following his remarks, Scherr will take questions. Reporters interested in attending the event should contact Jennifer Nowacki at 847-605-6511 by 10:30 a.m. Central on Tuesday, July 28, 2009.

Media contact:
Jennifer Nowacki
Zurich
(847) 605-6511
jennifer.nowacki@zurichna.com