The 45 National Governing Bodies with membership in the United States Olympic Committee have provided a statement of support for NYC2012 and its efforts as the Applicant City from the United States to William C. Martin, USOC President, and Daniel L. Doctoroff, Founder of NYC2012 and Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding for the City of New York.

New York is contending for the honor of hosting the 2012 Olympic Games in the most competitive field in history, including Havana, Istanbul, Leipzig, London, Madrid, Moscow, Paris and Rio de Janeiro. The International Olympic Committee will select the host city for 2012 on July 6, 2005, in Singapore.

Robert Marbut, Chair of the USOC National Governing Bodies’ Council and the Executive Director of U.S. Pentathlon, said that the unanimous resolution of support indicates solid U.S. Olympic Family commitment to New York’s hopes.

“As a group, the NGB Council wanted to make a strong statement representing the fact that sport in the United States and the USA’s Olympic family is united behind New York’s superb bid, which reflects a commitment to the athletes of the world, the worldwide Olympic movement, and to the advancement of the Olympic ideals which are the foundation of the Games, said Marbut. “We have met with the leadership of New York’s bid and the city and have toured the venue sites and the proposed location of the Olympic Village. We were particularly impressed by the dramatic setting of the Olympic Village, just across the river from the United Nations, and the extraordinary plans for a comfortable and convenient home for 16,000 athletes and officials. Our NGB leaders have seen, first-hand, a remarkable plan to stage the 2012 Games during our visits to New York and witnessed the tremendous execution, coordination and success of the four major international sporting events hosted in New York’s Summer of Championships in 2003. We strongly believe this is a plan that meets the needs of the world’s best athletes and one that will advance the Olympic movement and leave a legacy to be proud of.”

The statement of support from the 45 United States Olympic Committee National Governing Bodies follows:

USOC NATIONAL GOVERNING BODY COUNCIL STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR NYC2012 AND NEW YORK’S BID TO HOST THE 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES

“It is with great pride and confidence that the 45 National Governing Bodies of Olympic and Pan American Games sport in the United States unanimously endorse and support NYC2012 in its quest to bring the 2012 Olympic Games to New York City.

Our officials and our athletes have seen on a first-hand and comprehensive basis a bid that is built on solid principles and themes in five key areas; Athlete-centered and the commitment that the Games are for the elite athletes of the world; Convenience in terms of concentrating energies in a compact plan, the Olympic X, which keeps distance and travel time to a minimum and delivers the athletes safely and efficiently to their venues; Drama which capitalizes on New York’s iconic sites, vistas and cultural and entertainment resources to create a spectacular setting for the Games; Public enthusiasm which is tremendous, and which ensures broad support from every community in this incredibly diverse city; and a bold concept which leaves a profound and enduring legacy for the Olympic movement, the athletes of the future, the world of sport, and New York City.

New York City’s bid is enthusiastically supported by more than 1,450 Olympic and Paralympic athletes in its Circle of Olympians. This group’s support and effort shows us that the athletes are the ones whose ideas, experience and input are at the front of NYC2012’s planning and philosophy, and that fact is critical to the endorsement of our National Governing Bodies.

From its inception, NYC2012 has been strengthened by the participation of our National Governing Body family, the USOC, Olympians and Paralympians. This collaboration has helped to create a plan that offers the best possible experience for athletes while leaving a dramatic legacy for the future. Our NGBs are committed to work with NYC2012 on venue design and event planning and bring our combined resources to the effort.

We are aware of the tremendous responsibility that comes with being selected to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games and their unrivaled power to bring the world together through sport and fair play. For that reason and countless others, the USA’s National Governing Bodies are pleased to unanimously endorse and support NYC2012 and its effort to win the right to host the 2012 Olympic Games.”

National Archery Association, Mark Miller, President
USA Badminton, Don Chew, President
USA Baseball, Mike Gaski, President
USA Basketball, Tom Jernstedt, Presidentv U.S. Biathlon Association, Lyle Nelson, President
U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, Bob Pokelwaldt, President USA Boxing, Dr. Robert Voy, President
USA Canoe/Kayak, Anne Blanchard, Chair
USA Curling, Robert Fenson, President
USA Cycling, Jim Ochowicz, President
U.S. Diving, Dave Burgering, President
U.S. Equestrian Federation, David O’Connor, President
U.S. Fencing Association, Stacey Johnson, President
U.S, Field Hockey Association, Sharon Taylor, President
U.S. Figure Skating Association, Chuck Foster, President
USA Gymnastics, Robert Colarossi, President
USA Hockey, Walter L. Bush Jr., President
USA Judo, Dr. Ronald Tripp, President
U.S. Luge Association, Doug Bateman, President
U.S. Association, Ralph Bender, President
USRowing, Lawrence Terry, President
U.S. Sailing, Janet Baxter, President
USA Shooting, Michael English, President
U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, Bill Marolt, President
U.S. Soccer Federation, Dr. S. Robert Contiguglia, President
USA Softball, H. Franklin Taylor III, President
U.S. Speedskating, Andy Gabel, President
USA Swimming, Dale Neuburger, President
U.S. Synchronized Swimming, Betty Hazle, President
USA Table Tennis, Sheri Soderberg Pittman, President
U.S. Taekwondo Union, Bob Gambardella, Executive Director
U.S. Team Handball Federation, Robert Djokovich, President
U.S. Tennis Association, Alan Schwartz, President
USA Track & Field, Bill Roe, President
USA Triathlon, Valerie Gattis, President
USA Volleyball, Rebecca Howard, President U.S. Water Polo, Rich Foster, President
USA Weightlifting, Dennis Snethen, President
USA Wrestling, Stan Dziedzic, President
USA Bowling, Cathy Cooper, President
USA National Karate-Do Federation, Julius Thiery, President
U.S. Racquetball Association, Frank Taddomio, President
USA Roller Sports, George Kolibaba, President
U.S. Squash Racquets Association, Kevin Jernigan, President
USA Water Ski, Sherm Schraft, President

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Robert Marbut, NGB Council Chair: (210) 229-2004
NYC2012: Mike Moran (719) 331-7266
USOC: Darryl Seibel (719) 866-4531