NYC2012 banners have been flying high around New York City during the last few days—as businesses joined city leaders in welcoming the International Olympic Committee’s Evaluation Commission. In what’s being called a historic milestone in New York City’s bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Commission wrapped up a four-day visit to the city on February 24, following a thorough evaluation of the NYC2012 Olympic plan.

“It has been exciting sharing our plans and vision for an unforgettable 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games with the members of the International Olympic Committee’s Evaluation Commission,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “They have been meeting with our team, seeing all of the Olympic sites and venues in each of the five boroughs, and meeting with great Olympians from all over the world and many other supporters of our bid.”

“We have had two days of thorough briefings and yesterday had a fantastic day of visiting the tremendous venues that would host the Games,” said Deputy Mayor and NYC2012 Founder Daniel L. Doctoroff. “It has been a wonderful three days.”

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) was well represented during the Commission’s stay in New York. USEF Executive Director of High Performance, Jim Wolf took part in a group presentation February 23, in which he discussed the role of the USEF in the development of the venue and the long term impact a New York City Olympic Games would have on the development of the sport in the United States.

“I think the presentation was very positive,” Wolf says. “We talked about the scope of equestrian sport in the United States and the logistics and viability of holding a competition of this caliber in New York City. The IOC delegation was very engaged and asked many knowledgeable questions about equestrian sport. The Federation has been invited to participate in the development of this facility, Greenbelt Park, on Staten Island, with the goal of ensuring that we have a world class equestrian center for the Olympic Games that is both competitor and spectator friendly.”

In terms of the city itself, Wolf agrees New York would be a terrific location to host equestrian athletes. “I think future Olympic competitors would find New York an exciting place for the 2012 Olympics.”

The results of the IOC Evaluation Committee’s assessment will be published in a report to the IOC, which will be released in advance of the Host City decision on July 6. For more information on New York City’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games, log onto www.nyc2012.com.
~~~For more information, please contact Sarah Lane, Public Relations Manager at (859) 225-6974 or via email at [email protected]. USEF press releases are available on our web site – www.usef.org.