[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 149 (Wednesday, October 22, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S13048]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CELEBRATING WORLD CUP SPEEDSKATING IN MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN

 Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I call attention to a wonderful 
sporting event that will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the 
city of Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
  On those days the United States Olympic Education Center will host 
World Cup speedskating at the Berry Events Center at Northern Michigan 
University.
  I am sure you recall how short track speedskating suddenly became the 
sport of the hour during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, as 
we all cheered on the American speedskating phenomenon Apolo Ohno. The 
excitement of this high-speed sport, where a slip and a fall always 
seems to be just a step away, became one of the most-talked about 
events of the games.
  When the Olympic games were finished and Apolo left with his medals, 
I am afraid that for most viewers speedskating slipped back into the 
sports shadows. It was not likely to be a sport that would bump 
football, golf or NASCAR from the prime Sunday afternoon viewing slot.
  Despite this media eclipse, however, speedskating remains as riveting 
as it was during the Olympics. Highly-trained athletes still challenge 
both gravity and centrifugal force on the razor edge of their skates. 
Strategists on the track still plot their pace, waiting for the right 
moment to begin a sprint or challenge for the lead. And 150 of the 
world's best speedskaters from more than 25 countries will thrill 
crowds of northern Michigan residents who know their winter sports, 
from dog-sledding to ski-jumping.
  The event also promises an economic boost to an area that has been 
sustained many economic blows, and it will showcase Marquette, MI, an 
All-American community.
  I have long supported the United States Olympic Education Center at 
Northern Michigan University, and I praise them for their successful 
effort in matching this world-class event to an area that I have always 
considered world-class in its natural beauty--Michigan's Upper 
Peninsula.

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