The Chinese are coming — again
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Updated: July 08, 2009 4:16 PM
The Chinese national speed-skating men’s and women’s teams will return to Kamloops this summer.
The squads, which made their first visit to the Tournament Capital last summer, will train in Kamloops from July 19 to Aug. 23 as they prepare for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, which take place in February 2010.
Jeff Putnam, the city’s sport development and business operations manager, said the visit is estimated to inject about $80,000 into the Kamloops economy, including $19,200 the Chinese team will pay for facility fees.
The agreement between the speed-skating teams and the city specifies facilities and costs for which the Chinese athletes and coaches will be using during the five weeks, including the skating oval at the McArthur Island Sports Centre and the Tournament Capital Centre, where the skaters will use the fitness facilities, strength gymnasium, fields and aquatic centre.
The Chinese team will be composed of at least 30 people, including male and female athletes and coaches.
“We are thrilled to have Team China train in our facilities for the second year in a row,” Putnam said.
In addition, the Chinese Skating Association will be available at specified times for local speed-skating clubs and spectators to observe training sessions.
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