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For more information, contact: ST. PETERS RAISES OLYMPIC FLAG TO BEGIN ONE-YEAR COUNTDOWN TO U.S. OLYMPIC DIVING TRIALSOLYMPIAN WENDY WILLIAMS LEADS CEREMONY ST. PETERS, Mo. – June 9, 2003 – For the next year, the Olympic rings will fly outside the St. Peters Rec-Plex in anticipation of USA Diving’s highest profile event. Organizers of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Diving hosted a ceremony today to mark one year out from the competition. The Trials take place at the Rec-Plex June 9-13, 2004, and will feature America’s top divers competing for a spot on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. Olympian and St. Louis native Wendy Williams helped St. Peters officials and members of the Trials’ local organizing committee raise the Olympic flag at the Rec-Plex. Originally from Bridgeton, Williams won the bronze medal at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. “It’s a great thrill to return home and be part of the activities today,” Williams said. “I’m really proud that St. Louis is getting the chance to host the Olympic Diving Trials and see the nation’s best divers. This is going to be very special for the athletes and for the people who live here.” Tickets for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Diving Trials will go on sale to the public this fall. Patron Packages, which include VIP seating, parking, recognition and commemorative merchandise, are currently available. Businesses and individuals interested in supporting the Trials by purchasing a Patron Package can call Rick Oloteo at 636-477-6600 (ext. 421) for more information. “The City of St. Peters is very excited to host the 2004 U.S. Olympic Diving Trials,” said St. Peters Mayor Tom Brown. “The Rec-Plex served as a venue for the 1994 Olympic Festival. A decade later, we look forward to bringing America’s best athletes back to our world-class facility.” Between 60 and 100 athletes are expected to compete in the springboard and platform diving events that are part of the U.S. Olympic Diving Trials. NBC owns the television rights to the event and plans to broadcast four hours of the competition to a national audience. The Trials will be part of “Celebrate St. Louis” – St. Louis’ yearlong civic celebration in 2004 that commemorates the centennial of the Olympics and World’s Fair, the bicentennial of the Lewis & Clark expedition, and the region’s recent revitalization accomplishments. In 1904, St. Louis became the first American city to host the Summer Games. That year, the sport of diving made its Olympic debut. USA Diving’s gold medal tradition began when St. Louisan George Sheldon won the men’s platform event at a man-made lake just west of Forest Park. No other American Olympic sport claims a higher medal-winning percentage than diving. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for St. Peters and the entire St. Louis region,” said Steve McFarland, executive director of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Diving Trials. “The road to the Summer Games in Athens goes right through our community. Next June our residents will witness the nation’s top divers compete at the highest level. And we’ll share in the prestige of hosting the Olympic Trials for America’s most successful Olympic sport.” The St. Louis Sports Commission, City of St. Peters and the St. Peters Rec-Plex are the local hosts for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Diving. |
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