Translation trouble blamed for 2016 slogan change

March 14, 2009 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- There was word Saturday night on why Chicago's Olympic bid team dropped its slogan earlier in the week. The phrase "Stir the Soul" was replaced by "Let Friendship Shine."

It turns out, there was some trouble with the translation of "Stir the Soul." A Chicago 2016 spokesperson says, in some languages, the phrase comes out as "stir your insides."

The slogan change comes just three weeks before an International Olympic Committee inspection team arrives in town. The city is polishing its pitch.

The new tagline is "Let Friendship Shine." It'll be used in all ads and videos promoting Chicago's bid to help indicate that Chicago is a friendly town. "Stir The Soul" had been used since Chicago was named the U.S. candidate city more than a year ago.

"Chicago is known for its warm and welcoming people and its hospitable nature, and we hope to demonstrate this to the evaluation commission next month," said Chicago 2016 Chairman Patrick Ryan in a prepared statement. "We know that many friendships are formed between athletes and fans of different nations because of the games. The historic friendship of Olympians Jesse Owens and Luz Long is just one example of a friendship formed because of the games."

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