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-- WITH PHOTO -- TO NATIONAL, SPORTS, AND TRAVEL EDITORS:
Washington, DC Welcomes USA Weightlifting, USA Powerlifting American
Open December 2014
WASHINGTON, March 27, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Destination DC,
the official convention and tourism corporation for the nation's
capital, has announced the selection of Washington, DC as the host
city for USA Weightlifting's American Open, which will be held at the
Washington Hilton from Dec. 12-15, 2014. This competition will bring
competitors from around the world and will be joined by the USA
Powerlifting American Open and the USA Powerlifting National Police &
Fire Championships, both of which will occupy areas within the
Washington Hilton. It is also anticipated that at least one other
sport will join the two strength sports in the Capital.
Just in time for the winter holiday, this tournament will have visions
of barbells and bumpers dancing in the heads of athletes and fans
alike as visitors and local residents will be able to see hundreds of
the best national and international weightlifting athletes compete, as
they continue their journey towards the Summer Olympics to be held in
Rio de Janeiro in 2016. The events will be open to the public with
opportunities for audience participation and tickets will be priced
affordably.
"We are thrilled to welcome the USA Weightlifting American Open to
Washington, DC at the end of this year," said Elliott L. Ferguson,
president and CEO of Destination DC. "We're honored that they have
chosen to bring this fine event to the nation's capital as these
events offer another fun entertainment option during the busy holiday
season."
Destination DC, USA Weightlifting and DC Public Schools are partnering
to introduce the youth of Washington, DC to the sport, to follow in
the footsteps of DC-based Olympian, Cara Heads, who competed at the
Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and now coaches in the DC Metro area. This
initiative is in line with Washington's ambition to bid for the 2024
Olympic Games, and it is hoped this program will be a footstep on the
way to developing Olympians who will be able to compete in their home
city in 2024.
"Given the increasing weightlifting population in metropolitan
Washington, DC, USA Weightlifting is delighted to bring this
prestigious weightlifting event to the nation's capital. The
District's reasonable hotel rates and free airport transportation for
our membership, as well as our ongoing commitment to expand
participation in our sport within the DC-area school systems makes
this city a logical home for the USA American Weightlifting Open,
especially as our organization works toward hosting the World
Championships in 2015, and competing at the Olympic Games in 2016,"
said Michael Massik, CEO, USA Weightlifting.
Olympic exploratory committee, DC2024, and Destination DC will provide
free transportation to the Washington Hilton from Dulles International
Airport during the event.
About Destination DC Destination DC, the lead destination marketing
organization for the nation's capital, is a private, non-profit
membership organization of more than 800 businesses committed to
marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special
events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and
historic communities. Washington.org
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140327/DC92375LOGO
SOURCE Destination DC
-0- 03/27/2014
/CONTACT: DESTINATION DC MEDIA CONTACTS: Sarah Maciejewski, Destination DC, 202-789-7046, Sarah.Maciejewski@DestinationDC.com, or Kate Gibbs, Destination DC, 202-789-7072, Kate.Gibbs@DestinationDC.com, or USA WEIGHTLIFTING MEDIA CONTACT: Phil Andrews, Director, Events & Programs, 719-866-3386, Phil.Andrews@usaweightlifting.org
/Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140327/DC92375LOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
/Web Site: http://www.washington.org
CO: Destination DC
ST: District of Columbia
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SU: NPT
PRN
-- DC92375 --
0000 03/27/2014 16:26:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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