U.S. Olympics Training Site for Canoes, Kayak and Rowing Awarded to Oklahoma City

A U.S. Olympics training site for canoes, kayak and rowing was awarded July 28th, 2009, to Oklahoma City. The coveted designation as an official Olympic training site gave Oklahoma City another jump start to its vision of a world-class sports and recreation center. Oklahoma City is fired up.

U.S. Olympics Training Site

The U.S. Olympics training for canoes, kayak and rowing designation arrived as Oklahoma City completed a $3 billion renaissance of the Bricktown Entertainment District located downtown. It consists of restaurants, clubs, sporting facilities, shops, public sculptures, attractions and canal. Once finished, Bricktown was connected by canal to the Oklahoma River complete with state-of-the-art boathouses.

Regatta activities include: 2.5 mile head races, 2000 meter sprints, and 500 meter sprints. It is the only location in the US conducting officially-sanctioned night sprints under lights. Recently, 50 Olympic rowing athletes trained on the Oklahoma River.

The USA Rowing World challenge in 2007 and USA Canoe/Kayak Olympic Trials in 2008 were held here. On August 13-16, Oklahoma City masters rowers earned seven, first-place finishes at the 2009 US Rowing Masters National Championships on the Cooper River, Camden, New Jersey.

U.S. Olympics Training Site for Volleyball and Archery

Additionally, the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, a suburb of Oklahoma City, has been designated as the Olympic training site for archery and volleyball for both Olympic and paralympic athletes.

Edmond is the hometown of 1996 Olympic gold medal-winner Shannon Miller.

U.S. Olympics training the whole family can enjoy

While Olympic training takes place in both places, downtown Oklahoma City has something to offer the whole family. From Flaming Lips Alley, sculptures, canal rides, wall climbing, restaurants and clubs to a music hall, botanical gardens, renovated hotels, movie theater and ball park. There is something for every one and walking, water taxi's or trolleys provide access.

Future plans include completion of the $82.9 million American Indian Cultural Center and Museum, white water rafting and creation of large parks with lakes and pavilions for festivals interconnected throughout downtown Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City Happy about U.S. Olympics Training Site

Needless to say, after spending billions renovating and improving the downtown area, Oklahoma City is pleased with these U.S. Olympics developments. Oklahoma City started its vision of redevelopment in 1993 with creation of the Metropolitan Area Programs (MAPS).

MAPS has become one of the most aggressive and successful public-private partnerships ever undertaken in the U.S. exceeding $3 billion. A dream came true beyond expectations of MAPS with designation of an official U.S. Olympics training site.

Sources:
Daily Oklahoman
Future plans for Oklahoma River
Sports news re: Oklahoma River

Related article by author: First of a 3-part series on downtown Oklahoma City

US Olympics Official Training Site for Canoes, Kayak and Rowing Awarded to Oklahoma City
copyright 2009