Science is an integral part of every aspect of our lives. From clothes we wear and the food we eat to medical advances and space discovery, science plays a role in every element of our past, present and future. Even just within the field of the sports, science is at the core of every detail; a fast ball, an athletes training schedule… Chicago Science in the City will examine these and many other elements of the Science of Sports through interactive zones containing a wide range of interactive activities aimed to engage and teach participants.

Olympians and Paralympians scheduled to attend include:

Nathalie Bartleson - Synchronized Swimming

After 19 years devoted to her sport of synchronized swimming, Nathalie Bartleson won the team Olympic gold medal in Atlanta , Georgia . She is a 9-time world champion and 5-time national champion. Nathalie coached Stanford University’s varsity synchronized swimming team, the U.S. Junior National Team, produced National Age Group Champions for three consecutive years and was the 2004 Olympic Coach for the Netherlands. Nathalie is currently the Manager of Outreach at the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

Michial Foy – Wrestling

Michial Foy competed at the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games in Greco-Roman wrestling. He placed second at the 1989 World Championships, fifth at the 1994 worlds and captured the silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games. Michial won four U.S. National Championships and took third at the World Cup. Michial, who resides currently in Crete, Illinois, is a restaurateur and a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Michael McCahey - Fencing

Olympian Michael McCahey fell in love with fencing at an early age, discovering the sport at the Chicago Athletic Club. After winning the Illinois High School State Championship, and the U.S. Under-19 National Championships, he led his team at the University of Notre Dame to two National Championships and received the NCAA Fencing Athlete of the Year award. Michael holds 8 US National Championship team gold medals and was the 1984 Individual U.S. National Champion. At the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984, Michael finished fifth in the men's team foil event. He is now vice president of sales for a software company and a motivational speaker.

Paul Moran - Paralympic Sitting Volleyball & Wheelchair Tennis

Paul Moran competed in Beijing, China in the sport of wheelchair tennis and is a four-time Paralympian in the sport of sitting volleyball. Paul works for the Park District at the A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center, teaching tennis to wheelchair and able-bodied tennis players. He has been on two national championship wheelchair softball teams and also enjoys playing wheelchair football, basketball and skiing. In wheelchair tennis, Paul ranks among the top 4 in the United States and the top 30 players internationally.

Bill Mulliken - Swimming

Inspired by Bob Richards, an Olympic gold medalist in pole vaulting, Bill won gold at the 1960 Olympic Games in the 200-meter breaststroke. Prior to becoming an Olympic champion, he was a gold medalist at the 1959 Pan American Games. He won the AAU and NCAA championships and broke five American records in breaststroke, including the 200 yards, 220 yards and 200 meters. Bill has also been inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

LeeRoy Murphy - Boxing

Known as "Solid Gold", LeeRoy Murphy had an amateur record of 157-17 and won the 1979 Light Heavyweight National Golden Gloves. Although, he earned a place on the 1980 United States Olympic Boxing team. Lee Roy and the rest of his team were not allowed an Olympic berth due to the Olympic boycott. Turning pro in 1980, he won the IBF Cruiserweight Title with a 14th round TKO of Marvin Camel in 1984 and defended his title for three consecutive years.

Brian Ruhe - Paralympic Sled Hockey

Brian is a gold medalist on the 2002 USA sledge hockey team. He contributed to his sport through sledge development and technology, working with designers to create custom seats for players on Team USA. Brian is now working on his Ph.D in biomedical engineering, specializing in biomechanics. Researching the effects of different surface inclinations on static standing compensatory actions of persons with transfemoral amputations, he tests his hypotheses at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Cindy Rusher - Rowing

Cindy Eckert Rusher won a silver medal as a member of the women's four without coxswain in rowing at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona and placed fifth in the women's four with coxswain at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. A native of Brookfield, Wis. and seven-time U.S. National Team Member, she won a collegiate national title in the women’s Varsity Eight in 1986. Cindy graduated from the University of Wisconsin's Physical Therapy Program and now works as the assistant women's rowing coach at New Trier High School.

Debi Thomas – Figure Skating

Debi Thomas captured the bronze medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary and is the first black athlete to win an Olympic medal at the Winter Games. She was crowned 1986 World Champion, won two titles at the US National Championships and earned three World Professional skating titles. Debi has entertained audiences, headlining in shows and skating for four years with the popular Stars On Ice tour. She has served as a TV commentator, public speaker, philanthropist as well as an ambassador for two US presidents and the US Olympic Committee. Debi is currently an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacement.