Olympic Goals: Task Force Visits UC
As Part Of 2012 Evaluation Process

In what might have been the most important day yet in Cincinnati's bid to land the 2012 Summer Olympics, nine members of a United States Olympic Committee Site Evaluation Task Force began touring proposed venues around the city Tuesday, including sites at the University of Cincinnati.

UC would host swimming and diving events, indoor volleyball, gymnastics and the medal rounds of basketball if Cincinnati won the 2012 games. Gymnastics and basketball would be played under a dome enclosing UC's 36,000-seat Nippert Stadium.

An emphasis in UC's presentation was placed on attitude. "We are ready to make this happen with you. We want to be your partners for the next 11 years,'' said Mitchel Livingston, host for the visit and UC's Vice President for Student Affairs and Human Resources.

UC Athletics Director Bob Goin added, "I've been in athletics for 47 years, and I've always told mothers and fathers (in recruiting) that if there's one thing that can make a difference, it's to go to a place that really wants you. It should be very clear that the University of Cincinnati and the city of Cincinnati really want you."

University Architect Ron Kull then gave a rundown on UC's plans for its Olympic venues, including architectural sketches of how a framework could be constructed for the Nippert dome. The other major project that would come if Cincinnati's bid is accepted would be construction of an Olympic natatorium on a site now occupied by the Sander dining facility and annex.

The USOC group also toured the Shoemaker Center, which would be the host for indoor volleyball.

"I think UC has shown itself to be a great host with great facilities and a great spirit of cooperativeness," said Cincinnati 2012 president Nick Vehr, after the tour concluded.