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View the Mayor's
Press Conference |
"I'm delighted to announce that we are bringing the first-ever National Sports Hall of Fame to New York City," said Mayor Giuliani. "Our City's rich tradition of track and field excellence makes New York the perfect home for this interactive Hall of Fame and museum. This addition to our City will solidify our position as the Sports Capital of the World and attract thousands of tourists to our great City."
The Hall of Fame, which is expected to open in 2002, will provide an interactive
learning experience for visitors to explore the politics, history and physiological
aspects of track and field athletes and events. It is expected to attract more
than new 100,000 visitors each year and generate up to $3.5 million in economic
activity annually for the local community.
"This is a great moment in the history of sports in the City of New York,"
said Commissioner Podziba. "We would like to thank USA Track and Field
for choosing New York City as the new home of its Hall of Fame. It will enable
our residents and visitors to learn about the history of track and field in
an entertaining, interactive museum setting."
Craig Masback, CEO of USA Track and Field, the national governing body for
the sport, said, "For more than 100 years, New York City has been a center
for track and field, home to the very first tracks, the Millrose Games and the
New York City Marathon. It makes perfect sense for us to bring the National
Track and Field Hall of Fame to the Big Apple.
The Armory Track and Field Center will host more than 80 track meets this season
and serves as the training location for more than 40,000 athletes. Its Mondo
track, a banked 200-meter track, is recognized as one of the fastest tracks
in the world.
Dr. Norbert Sander, President of the Armory Foundation, said, "We are very proud and excited by the addition of the National Track and Field Hall of Fame to the Armory Track and Field Center. It will have a tremendous impact on the Washington Heights community and on the continued growth and development of track and field in our great City."
Joining the Mayor and Commissioner Podziba for the announcement were Dr. Norbert Sander, President of the New York Road Runners Club Allan Steinfeld, and Renaldo Nehemiah who is the former world record holder in the 110- meter hurdles and is a member of the Hall of Fame.
www.nyc.gov