ESPN

CHICAGO -- Patrick Ryan will continue his efforts to expand Olympic sports in Chicago, even after the city lost its bid for the 2016 Games.

Ryan was named chairman of the board Thursday of World Sport Chicago, the bid's legacy organization. The group is dedicated to increasing participation in Olympic sports among Chicago's children, and Ryan had promised that its efforts wouldn't end with last month's selection of a host city.

Rio de Janeiro beat out Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid for the right to host the 2016 Olympics.

"We may not have won the honor of hosting the games in 2016, but we have positively impacted the lives of thousands of kids, and we look forward to expanding our programs in the months and years to come to reach even more youth," Ryan said. "I'm honored to take on this role and personally oversee the activities."

World Sport Chicago has already sponsored clinics and programs to introduce local children to archery, fencing, badminton, wrestling, bocci, swimming, track and field, and judo. It also has hosted several international events during Chicago's bid for the 2016 Games, including the world boxing championships and gymnastics' American Cup, and will hold the Chicago Cup wrestling tournament this weekend.

Ryan 's appointment was announced Thursday. Bill Scherr, an Olympic bronze medalist in wrestling and the previous chairman of the board, will be the group's president. Olympic gold medalist Michael Conley, the previous president, remains on the board of directors.

Ryan replaces Bill Scherr, an Olympic bronze medalist in wrestling who will become the group's president. Previous president Michael Conley, a triple jump gold medalist, remains on the board of directors.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press