USA Gymnastics Trials to Be Relocated
Indianapolis – USA Gymnastics is announcing that the bid process for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials will be re-opened, effective Monday, March 24. The 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, previously awarded to the FleetCenter in Boston, are being relocated due to the city being awarded the 2004 Democratic National Convention (DNC).
'Our decision to relocate the Olympic Trials is a reflection of the need for 100% access to the arena, which unfortunately conflicts with the DNC’s needs for the venue,' said USA Gymnastics President, Bob Colarossi. 'We have worked closely with the FleetCenter and the City of Boston to develop a win-win scenario that would allow us to co-exist, but the challenges potentially compromise both the Trials and the Convention. We understand the significance of the DNC and believe that this is the best decision for USA Gymnastics.'
USA Gymnastics has been working closely with the FleetCenter since the award of the DNC to Boston last Fall. The primary concerns related to the venue are the availability of seats and some of the support areas that are vital to conducting a successful event.
'The Olympic Trials have been a premier event for Boston and the FleetCenter,' said John Wentzell, Sr. Vice President, General Manager of the FleetCenter. 'We are obviously disappointed, as our goal is to be the permanent location for the Olympic Trials for gymnastics. We fully support USA Gymnastics’ decision and will work closely with them to help in any way necessary.'
Boston was awarded the right to host the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, scheduled for June 24-27, in August of 2001. Boston, which hosted the event in 1996 and 2000, was selected ahead of two other finalists, Anaheim and New Orleans.
'Boston and the FleetCenter have been fabulous partners for the Olympic Trials,' added Colarossi. 'Our relationship with the city and the FleetCenter is outstanding and we look forward to returning to Boston with future events.'
USA Gymnastics is soliciting letters of interest from various cities beginning Monday, March 24. Interested cities should notify USA Gymnastics of their interest in bidding by April 4. A bid packet will be forwarded to cities interested in hosting the event.
'Our Olympic Trials is a proven financial success,' continued Colarossi. 'We believe this will be an attractive opportunity for cities which have availability in late June of next year. We plan to conclude the selection process quickly and have an outstanding host for this event next summer.'
Cities interested in bidding on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials should send a letter of interest to Steve Penny, USA Gymnastics, 201 S. Capitol Ave., Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN, 46240 or fax it to 317-237-5065.
Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. For more information about USA Gymnastics and its programs, access USA Gymnastics online at www.usa-gymnastics.org.
For more details contact:
Brian Eaton, USA Gymnastics, 317-829-5656, beaton@usa-gymnastics.org
'Our decision to relocate the Olympic Trials is a reflection of the need for 100% access to the arena, which unfortunately conflicts with the DNC’s needs for the venue,' said USA Gymnastics President, Bob Colarossi. 'We have worked closely with the FleetCenter and the City of Boston to develop a win-win scenario that would allow us to co-exist, but the challenges potentially compromise both the Trials and the Convention. We understand the significance of the DNC and believe that this is the best decision for USA Gymnastics.'
USA Gymnastics has been working closely with the FleetCenter since the award of the DNC to Boston last Fall. The primary concerns related to the venue are the availability of seats and some of the support areas that are vital to conducting a successful event.
'The Olympic Trials have been a premier event for Boston and the FleetCenter,' said John Wentzell, Sr. Vice President, General Manager of the FleetCenter. 'We are obviously disappointed, as our goal is to be the permanent location for the Olympic Trials for gymnastics. We fully support USA Gymnastics’ decision and will work closely with them to help in any way necessary.'
Boston was awarded the right to host the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, scheduled for June 24-27, in August of 2001. Boston, which hosted the event in 1996 and 2000, was selected ahead of two other finalists, Anaheim and New Orleans.
'Boston and the FleetCenter have been fabulous partners for the Olympic Trials,' added Colarossi. 'Our relationship with the city and the FleetCenter is outstanding and we look forward to returning to Boston with future events.'
USA Gymnastics is soliciting letters of interest from various cities beginning Monday, March 24. Interested cities should notify USA Gymnastics of their interest in bidding by April 4. A bid packet will be forwarded to cities interested in hosting the event.
'Our Olympic Trials is a proven financial success,' continued Colarossi. 'We believe this will be an attractive opportunity for cities which have availability in late June of next year. We plan to conclude the selection process quickly and have an outstanding host for this event next summer.'
Cities interested in bidding on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials should send a letter of interest to Steve Penny, USA Gymnastics, 201 S. Capitol Ave., Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN, 46240 or fax it to 317-237-5065.
Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. For more information about USA Gymnastics and its programs, access USA Gymnastics online at www.usa-gymnastics.org.
For more details contact:
Brian Eaton, USA Gymnastics, 317-829-5656, beaton@usa-gymnastics.org