Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 11, 1994 TAG: 9404110110
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short
Bobby Ukrop, the president of Metropolitan Richmond Sports Backers, and Jon Lugbill, the Sports Backers' executive director, are leading the group that will bid this summer to host the festival in 1997, '98 or '99.
"I think this can be to Richmond like the Olympics is to Atlanta," said Ukrop, executive vice president of the Richmond-based Ukrop's Super Markets Inc.
The annual festival is designed to develop American athletes for the Olympic Games. Festivals are not held in years that include a Summer Olympic Games. This year's festival will be held July 1-10 in St. Louis. It will feature 37 sports, including three winter events: figure skating, ice hockey, and short-track speed skating.
The Sports Backers said recent studies estimate the total economic impact on a host city is more than $35 million.
"I think it's a very exciting opportunity for the city," said Joseph James, economic development director for Richmond. "It presents one of those wonderful occasions where there can be regional cooperation to promote the economy."
Cities interested in being host to the festivals in 1997, '98 and '99 must submit bids with $25,000 to the U.S. Olympic Committee by Aug. 1. The USOC will narrow its list to five or six cities in November, then announce the choices for 1997 through 1999 in February.
- Associated Press
by CNB