Cantwell Statement on the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Hosted by Spokane, WA

Statement

Cantwell Statement on the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Hosted by Spokane, WA

Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) issued the following statement today from the opening reception of the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, hosted by Spokane, Washington:

"Today is a significant day for the city of Spokane, and I am thrilled to be here to help kick-off the National Figure Skating Championships in the best possible venue for this event. I congratulate everyone involved in the successful effort to bring the 2010 Olympic trials to "Skate City' USA, with special recognition to Group Health for sponsoring the championships and providing health services to the athletes.

"I've long-supported Spokane's efforts to bring high-profile skating events to the region.

In 2006, I met face-to-face with a site selector for the 2007 Championships to convey the merits of bringing the event to Spokane. The committee concluded that Spokane was indeed best-suited to host this national event in 2007, and Spokane went on to prove the committee right by shattering the previous attendance record. No wonder that just three years later the road to the Olympics are marked with yet another stop here in Spokane. In fact, this is the first time in 50 years that the championships have been held in the same city within a four-year Olympic cycle.

"Spokane really has a knack for putting on these great events -- just last year I ran in Bloomsday and plan to do it again this May, and I know Hoopfest makes a big impact as the largest three-on-three basketball tournament in the world. Spokane is among the elite in the country and the world when it comes to hosting large-scale community events."

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