Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today joined Tishman Speyer Properties and Restaurant Associates, Champions on Ice and NYC2012, to cut the ribbon to officially open the 66th annual season of The Rink at Rockefeller Center. The event, produced and directed by JoJo Starbuck, two-time Olympian and figure skating Hall of Famer, was also an opportunity for New Yorkers to show their support for New York's bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games. Dozens of Olympians were on hand as the NYC2012 flags flew above the ice in an effort to generate "Olympic Fever" in New York City.

"Skating at Rockefeller Center is one of New York City's great winter traditions for young skaters and those who are just young at heart," said Mayor Bloomberg. "We are fortunate to have with us so many of New York's treasured Olympians who support New York City's bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games. The bid has received enormous support from all New Yorkers and as decision day draws near, we thank the tireless efforts of the thousands who have worked to make our Olympic vision into a reality. Their support is a testament to the Olympic spirit that drives this City each and every day."

"The Olympic Games is the world's biggest event and we're here today to show why the Games belongs on the world's biggest stage - New York City," said Daniel L. Doctoroff, NYC2012's Founder and Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding. "Bringing the Games to the 'World's Second Home' would celebrate our unequalled diversity and participants from every nation would feel welcome. And as a center of international media and diplomacy, finance and business, culture, sports and academia, New York has networks that already reach out around the world, around the clock."

New York and San Francisco are the two finalist U.S. cities now under consideration by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) for U.S. Candidate City designation for the 2012 Olympic Games. The USOC will make its decision on November 2, 2002, and then the U.S. Candidate City will go on to compete against other international cities with a final decision to be made by the International Olympic Committee in 2005.

The champion skating line-up featured Olympic medallists Elvis Stojko and Victor Petrenko; 2002 Olympian Sasha Cohen; U.S. Champions Naomi Lang and Peter Tchernyshev; Olympian and Russian Champion Alexander Abt; and New York's rising star Emily Hughes, younger sister of 2002 Olympic figure skating Gold Medallist Sarah Hughes.

Cast members from Cabaret opened the event with the National Anthem and the Radio City Rockettes performed to a New York medley. The cast of Thoroughly Modern Millie sang "Jimmy" for Emily Hughes' performance, and "Gimme Gimme" for Sasha Cohen. Elvis Stojko skated to "Nicest Kids in Town" performed by the cast of Hairspray, and Lang and Tchernyshev skated to "It Takes Two" also sung by cast members of Hairspray. Victor Petrenko skated to a performance of "New York State of Mind" sung by Aida lead Adam Pascal, and all Broadway cast members and Olympians returned to the stage for the grand finale - "New York, New York."

Rockefeller Center is home to one of the most well-known ice skating rinks in the world. The Rink originally opened to the public on Christmas Day of 1936. The first artificial outdoor skating pond to be built in New York City, The Rink is 122 feet long and 59 feet wide. Each year, from October through mid-April, a quarter of a million people skate on and visit The Rink. The Rink is operated by Restaurant Associates, a Compass Group subsidiary, which owns a number of major restaurants.

NYC2012 is the committee leading New York's bid to become the U.S. Candidate City for the 2012 Olympic Games. For more information about the City's Olympic bid for the 2012 Summer Games, visit www.NYC2012.com.