WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) congratulated the City of Spokane for its successful bid to host the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Cantwell has long supported the city's efforts to bring high-profile skating events to the region. In April 2006 while in Spokane, Cantwell met with Bob Dunlop of the Site Selection Committee for the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships, hand delivering her letter strongly supporting Spokane's bid for the event. 

 

"Having been in Spokane only yesterday to participate in Bloomsday, I personally know that this special city is among the elite in the country and the world when it comes to hosting large scale community events,” said Cantwell. “The Selection Committee made a very smart decision in bringing the U.S. Figure Skating Championships back to Spokane so soon. I fully expect the city to outdo itself yet again and look forward to being a part of this exciting event. There is no place better suited for an event of this kind, and this bid truly solidifies Spokane’s reputation as Skate City USA.”

 

The 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships determine the U.S. 2010 Winter Olympics figure skating team.

 

"After working with the dedicated team of Barb Beddor and Toby Steward as they guided the City of Spokane to the impressive honor of being named a finalist for the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships, it is of no surprise to me that they put together yet another successful bid for the city,” said Cantwell. “Under their guidance, the 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships hosted in Spokane shattered the previous attendance record and was named the best overall sporting event in 2007 by SportsTravel Magazine."

 

Spokane has a long history of successfully hosting major sporting events. In 1996, Spokane saw the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials, in 1998 it was the Memorial Cup and in 2007 it was the first two rounds of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. The record-breaking action of the 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Spokane was preceded by the attendance records broken when the city hosted the 2002 Smart Ones Skate America international skating competition. These events have all contributed significantly to the Spokane economy, with the 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships pouring an estimated thirty million dollars into the community. The 2010 Championships will likely top that figure and are certain to have a significant economic impact on the Inland Northwest. 

 

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