LA To Host U.S. Marathon Trials For 2016 Summer Olympic Games
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles will host the U.S. marathon trials for the 2016 Olympic Games, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Wednesday.
The trials are scheduled to take place Feb. 13, 2016 at the LA Memorial Coliseum, a day before the LA Marathon, officials said.
"I'm happy and honored USA Track & Field and the U.S. Olympic Committee have chosen Los Angeles as host city for the 2016 Olympic marathon trials," Garcetti said in a statement. "With its iconic landmarks and decades of experience hosting world class sporting events, Los Angeles is the ideal location for America's elite marathoners to prepare for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil."
The trials will be used to select three men and three women to compete for the U.S. team in Rio de Janeiro.
"Securing the privilege of hosting the Olympic Trials Marathon could not have been accomplished without the tireless partnership and commitment from business and civic leaders across Los Angeles, including the LA Sports Council," said Tracey Russell, CEO of LA MARATHON LLC. "It truly seems appropriate that today, some 30 years after Joan Benoit Samuelson's 1984 triumph in the first Olympic women's marathon here in this city, we're announcing once again that America's Olympic marathoners will create history and find glory on the streets of Los Angeles. By securing the Olympic Trials, Los Angeles is now set to deliver this city's biggest running weekend since that iconic victory, providing our LA Marathon participants and fans with a rare opportunity to be part of an Olympic Trials celebration."
Houston, the location of the 2012 trials, and Cincinnati were also bidding to host the event.