42nd World Archery Championships Finals To Hit Central Park

(Lausanne, Switzerland and New York, NY, February 4, 2003) -- William Tell famously split an apple with an arrow – now the modern sport of archery is taking aim in New York City. The International Archery Federation (FITA), USA Archery, the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, and the New York City Sports Commission (NYCSC), today announced that the final rounds of the 42nd World Archery Championships will be held in Central Park’s North Meadow on July 19 and 20. As previously announced, more than 500 archers from at least 60 countries will compete in the qualification and elimination rounds in Van Cortlandt Park’s Parade Grounds in the Bronx from July 14-18. Additionally, as an Olympic qualifier, forty-six individuals and the top eight teams in these World Championships will win positions for their countries in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. “I am thrilled that the finals of archery’s premier event for 2003 will be held in such a prominent location as Central Park,” said Jim Easton, the President of FITA. “It is a great credit to the New York City officials and the 2003 World Championships Organizing Committee that we are able to bring this outstanding event to one of the world’s premier outdoor venues. We promote archery as a sport for everyone and the atmosphere created by the archers and crowds should be something very special.” Reigning Olympic and world champions are expected to compete and the public is invited to attend both the qualifying and final rounds free of charge. The opening ceremonies will be held in Van Cortlandt Park on July 14. Central Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1853 and one of the most massive public works in the city’s history, is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. “Central Park draws over 20 million people each year that enjoy a diverse array of cultural events, musical performances, and sporting events,” said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “From Sherwood Forest to the steppes of Mongolia, the bow and arrow have made history as tools of hunting, athletics and conquest. Central Park is a perfect spot to host top athletes in the World Archery Finals and to celebrate a time-honored sport.” This will mark the first time the Archery World Championships will be held in New York City and the first world championship of an Olympic sport held in the city since it won the right to be the U.S. bid city for the 2012 Olympic Games last November. “We are delighted to welcome archers from all over the world and to add archery to the list of great sports that find a home in New York,” said Kenneth J. Podziba, Commissioner, New York City Sports Commission. New York previously hosted the Archery World Team Trials in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens in 2001. While the timeless skills of shooting a bow and arrow remain, archery is a very modern sport. It now uses an exciting finals system which sees competitors in head-to-head contests until the medals are decided. Contacts: Terry Reilly (FITA) - 011-41-21-614-3050 Megan Sheekey (City of New York/Parks & Recreation) - (212) 360-1311

Last Updated On: Tuesday, February 4, 2003