FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          

Contacts:

Tom Frank                                                                                 Annie Hetman
President                                                                                  Manager, Communications & Marketing
Ohio Speedskating Association                                                   Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
440.892.9029                                                                             216.363.1128
president@ohiospeedskating.com                                               ahetman@clevelandsports.org

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS TO HOST U.S. NATIONAL SHORT TRACK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
University Hospital’s 2007 National Speedskating Championships Return to Cleveland Heights Community Center February 22-25  

CLEVELAND, OH – February 1, 2007 – The Ohio Speedskating Association, along with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission have organized University Hospital’s 2007 U.S. National Short Track Speedskating Championships to be held February 22 – 25 at the Cleveland Heights Community Center.  The event will decide the 2007 World Team of five men and five women, as well as the National Champions in all age groups, ranging from age 9 to 70+. 

“We appreciate U.S. Speedskating choosing Cleveland as the site of the 2007 National Championships.  We worked hard to bring this event to town and will work even harder with the local speedskating community to assure it is a major success,” said David Gilbert, President & CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

This event was hosted by the Ohio Speedskating Association and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission at the Cleveland Heights Community Center in 2004, as well.  There is a strong tradition of speedskating in the Greater Cleveland area, with clubs based in Cleveland Heights, Lakewood and Strongsville. 

Skaters reach speeds up to 35 mph and are the emerging stars of the sport’s future.        

“The Ohio Speedskating Association, along with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, is very excited to be hosting the U.S. National Short Track Championships.  Skaters are coming to town to participate in this event, which includes several members of the 2006 Olympic Team.  During the course of the weekend, not only will we have new National Champions for each age group, but a new World Team to represent the United States next month in Italy.  I encourage everyone to come out and watch,” said Tom Frank, President of the Ohio Speedskating Association. 

Tickets are available by individual tickets per session ranging from $10 to $25, or all-session packages for $85, which include the Thursday session, Friday Session (1 & 2), Saturday Session (1 & 2) and Sunday ALL DAY Session.  To purchase tickets, contact the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission at 216.363.1107.

For more information, including a schedule of events, please visit www.ohiospeedskating.com/nationals or contact the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission at 216.621.0600.       

The mission of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is to measurably enhance the economy, image and quality of life in the Greater Cleveland community by attracting and creating significant sporting events and activities.                                           
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