 |
U.S. Olympic Committee: Kevin Neuendorf, 719/866-4786
Philadelphia Sports Congress: Sarah Hines, 215/636-3412
Danielle Cohn, 215/636-3320
Drexel University: Mike Tuberosa, 215/895-1591
PHILADELPHIA SELECTED TO HOST
2008 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS – TABLE TENNIS
-Philadelphia One of Only Two U.S. Cities to Host Two Olympic Trials in 2008-
PHILADELPHIA…August 7, 2007…Philadelphia will roll out the red carpet when USA Table Tennis (USATT) brings the 2008 U.S. Olympic & National Team Trials – Table Tennis to Drexel University’s Daskalakis Athletic Center in Philadelphia, from January 10-13, 2008. This event, combined with the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics (that Philadelphia will host in June 2008) makes Philadelphia one of only two U.S. cities to host two U.S. Olympic Trial events leading up to the 2008 Olympic Games.
“We are proud to partner with Philadelphia and Drexel University to bring one of our most prestigious events to the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia put together a compelling bid, and we are confident this will be a successful event,” said Teodor Gheorghe, USATT Executive Director. "In January, fans will have an excellent opportunity to see the nation’s top table tennis athletes as they continue on the path to Beijing in 2008."
The U.S. Olympic & National Team Trials – Table Tennis is expected to draw the elite 24 table tennis athletes from across the country based on rankings by USATT. Athletes will compete on January 10 in the qualification round followed by three days of finals. The event will be open to the public with tickets on sale in the coming months. For more information, visit www.PhiladelphiaSportsCongress.org or www.USATT.org.
“On behalf of Drexel University, I am certain that we will stage a well-run and visible event of the highest competitive caliber that will also serve as a showcase for the sport of table tennis,” said Dr. Eric Zillmer, Director of Athletics, Drexel University. “The Olympic Games celebrate an essential part of what makes us human. It is thrilling to me personally that the ‘road’ to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, at least for Table Tennis, will go through Philadelphia and Drexel University.”
“Our previous Olympic bid efforts served as a great launching pad for Philadelphia to bring more Olympic-related sporting events to this region,” said Joseph M. Torsella, co-chairman, Philadelphia Olympic & International Sports Project, an initiative of the Philadelphia Sports Congress. “Hosting the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for both Table Tennis and Gymnastics will help us to celebrate the 2008 Road to Beijing, and sets us well on our way to positioning Philadelphia as a truly international sports city.”
-more-
Philadelphia to Host 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Table Tennis
Page 2 of 2
"This is another great example of Philadelphia's diversity as a leading sports destination," said Larry Needle, executive director of the Philadelphia Sports Congress, a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. "With Drexel as host, and the support of our amateur sports community, we know that this will be a tremendous event for the city."
"Drexel University is proud and honored to host the Olympic team trials in table tennis," said Dr. Constantine N. Papadakis, President, Drexel University. "It is exciting for the University to serve as the location of such a high-stakes event in which teams will compete for the privilege of representing the United States at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing."
The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for all sports is a collaborative, three-way partnership between the U.S. Olympic Committee, the National Governing Bodies and the Local Organizing Committees.
The Philadelphia Local Organizing Committee consists of Drexel University, the Philadelphia Sports Congress, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, Philadelphia Olympic & International Sports Project, and the area table tennis community.
Philadelphia boasts an impressive track record of hosting many premier sporting events, including the 2005 and 2006 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championships, 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup, 2002 NBA All-Star Game, 2001 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, 2001 and 2002 ESPN X Games, 2000 NCAA Women’s Final Four, and the 1998 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
USA Table Tennis (USATT) is the national organizing body for table tennis in the United States. Created in 1933 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, its staff serves the 8,000+ members and 240+ clubs that are affiliated with USATT. USATT oversees a wide variety of membership services, the national teams, and other areas such as the rules of the game, the Hall of Fame, and numerous online instructional and historical articles. USATT is governed and run by the 13 members of the board of directors, numerous committees, and paid staff. USATT is affiliated with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), the world governing body for table tennis, as well as the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).
Founded in 1891, Drexel University is a private, comprehensive, doctoral research university widely recognized for its focus on co-operative education and technology. With an enrollment of more than 20,000 students, Drexel is the 16th largest private university in the nation. Drexel became the first major university to operate a fully wireless campus in 2000. The University includes the nation’s largest private medical school and a new College of Law.
The Philadelphia Sports Congress (PSC), a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.PhiladelphiaUSA.travelPhiladelphia Olympic & International Sports Project, an initiative operating out of the Philadelphia Sports Congress, was created following the region’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games. The Project focuses on sporting opportunities that will help Philadelphia become a more international sports destination and increase the spirit of Olympism throughout the region., seeks to attract major sporting events and conventions to the Philadelphia area. The Sports Congress, working in conjunction with the City of Philadelphia, the city’s professional teams and universities, has attracted many events to the city and is currently working on bids for future sporting events. The Philadelphia Sports Congress produces the Army/Navy Game on behalf of the City of Philadelphia.
*Coach Wolski uses Double Fish Balls and Double Fish Tables for junior training and development.
