Denver Sports Renewed for United States Olympic Committee's Community Partner Program

The Mile High City is Considered One of the Nation's Premiere Sports Cities

News provided by

VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau

Mar 02, 2015, 05:30 ET

DENVER, March 2, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Denver Sports announced today that it has been renewed as a Community Partner Program by the United States Olympic Committee. As a member of the program, the organization will continue to promote the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movements by hosting national and international events, promoting USOC sport outreach initiatives, and supporting sanctioned programs and clubs in The Mile High City. In return, Denver Sports can use the official USOC logo in marketing programs.

"This is a tremendous honor for Denver and we are very proud to be a partner in helping the many programs of the USOC," said Matthew Payne, Executive Director of Denver Sports, an affiliate of VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Denver is one of eight cities to be part of the USOC program. The Mile High City has a history of being a major sports destination, going back to the 1990 NCAA Men's Final Four, the NBA, MLB and NHL All-Star games, as well as the NCAA Frozen Four and NCAA Women's Final Four in 2012. Denver also hosted the 2007 Junior Olympic Fencing Championships and the 2009 USA Boxing National Championships.

"Continuing to host world-class events like the 2014 World Lacrosse Championships, the 2014 BMW Championship and the USA Pro Challenge bring economic development and major media attention," said Payne. "And, they are a lot of fun for residents to attend."

Upcoming, Denver will host the 2015 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Quarterfinals, 2016 NCAA Division II Spring Sports Festival, and the first and second rounds of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Road to the Final Four Tournament in 2016. In addition, the city will host the 2015 MLS All-Star Game on July 28 and the 2016 NHL Stadium Series on Feb. 27.

"We are pleased to renew our partnership with Denver Sports," said Alicia McConnell, USOC director of training sites and community partnerships. "Denver's dedication to Team USA and youth outreach is exactly what we look for when developing partnerships to enhance the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movements."

To meet the designation requirements, Denver Sports will continue to host at least one National Governing Body, U.S. Olympic or Paralympic event per year. The area will also work with local community organizations and schools to annually host three events that promote the USOC's FLAME (Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere) Program, the Olympic and Paralympic movements and Olympic Day.

About Denver Sports
Denver Sports is an official affiliate of VISIT DENVER, which is a resource for all sporting event organizers interested in Denver as a future location. The mission of Denver Sports is to proactively identify, pursue and attract new regional, national and international sports events and sports-related business opportunities that generate economic impact, engage the community and support Denver's brand as an active, healthy city. More information can be found at VISITDENVER.com/DenverSports.

About VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau
Celebrating 106 years of promoting The Mile High City, VISIT DENVER is a nonprofit trade association that contracts with the City of Denver to market Denver as a convention and leisure destination, increasing economic development in the city, creating jobs and generating taxes. A record 14 million visitors stayed overnight in Denver in 2013, generating $4 billion in spending, while supporting nearly 50,000 jobs, making Tourism the second largest industry in Denver. Learn more about Denver on the VISITDENVER website and at TOURISMPAYSDENVER or by phone at 800 2 Denver. Follow Denver's social media channels for up-to-the-minute updates at: Facebook.com/visitdenver; Twitter.com/visitdenver; Instagram.com/visitdenver; and YouTube.com/visitdenver.

With press or photo inquiries, please contact:
Deborah Park: (303) 571-9451 or [email protected]
Sarah Welch: (303) 571-9418 or [email protected]

SOURCE VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau