Jan 08

US SPEEDSKATING TO PARTICIPATE IN SEASON CLOSING WORLD'S LARGEST ICE RINK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE US SPEEDSKATING TO PARTICIPATE IN SEASON CLOSING WORLD'S LARGEST ICE RINK January 8, 2008- Kearns, UT - US World Cup Team Member Travis Jayner and Olympic Gold Medalist Derek Parra are traveling to Mexico City, Mexico, this weekend to participate in season closing ceremonies for the world's largest ice rink located in one of the worlds' biggest and busiest city squares. Parra, the Long Track superstar of the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, was the first Mexican -American to medal in a Winter Olympic Games. He will be joined by Jayner, a Short Track World Team member and Bronze Medalist, in an exhibition event spotlighting the sport of Short Track Speedskating. Since its opening on December 2, 2007, the enormous rink, measuring over 34,000 square feet, has drawn thousands of skaters and spectators-many of whom had never seen an ice rink or even snow. Envisioned by Mayor Marcelo Ebrard, already well-known among Mexico City's citizens for his artificial public beaches and massive city center renovations, the rink was built using private donations and is maintained by US based Ice Rink Events. The rink was opened amid displays of fireworks, performances by European figure skaters, and exhibitions of Short Track speedskating by members of US Speedskating programs. For additional information please contact Kori Novak, Director, PR , Media at 801-417-5360 or media@usspeedskating.org About US Speedskating: US Speedskating is a nonprofit organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the national governing body for the sport of Speedskating in the United States. To date, US Speedskating has won a total of 75 Olympic medals, making it the most successful winter sport in the USA. ####