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Top Athletes Confirmed for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Oklahoma City
04/03/08 - OKLAHOMA CITY

With Olympic dreams on the line, the nationís top sprint canoe/kayak athletes, including 17 members of the U.S. National Team, have committed to compete in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Flatwater Sprint. They will vie for slots on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team for the Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Oklahoma City will host the Trials on the Oklahoma River in Regatta Park, April 18-20.

"The stage is set in Oklahoma City for spectacular performances from our nation's top sprint canoe/kayak athletes," said Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation Executive Director, Mike Knopp. "This event is not only significant because of the Olympic connection, but it's also the first major canoe/kayak event in Oklahoma."

U.S. Olympic hopefuls include two-time Olympian and top-ranked U.S. male kayaker Rami Zur, Olympian and top-ranked U.S. female kayaker Carrie Johnson, two-time Olympic canoeist Jordan Malloch and Olympian Jeff Smoke.

Zur and Johnson have secured two berths for the U.S. in the Olympic Games in the K-1 500 meter races. If they win in Oklahoma City, they will automatically be qualified for the Olympic Games. The other Olympic hopefuls must place at the top in Oklahoma then compete in the Continental Qualification this May in Montreal, Canada to secure a chance to race at the Olympics.

"These athletes have worked around the clock, keeping a grueling training schedule just to be here," says Executive Director of USA Canoe/Kayak, David Yarborough. "You can bet that with spots on the U.S. Olympic Team on the line, these athletes will be working as hard as they possibly can to finish well on the Oklahoma River."

The U.S. Olympic Team Trials will also determine the athletes who will represent the U.S. at the 2008 Pan American Championships.

Coaches, trainers and athletes will begin arriving in Oklahoma City Wednesday, April 16, for registration and training. The event will officially begin Friday, April 18, and will conclude Sunday, April 20. Admission to the event is free for children five and under, $5 per day for children six to 12 and $10 per day for visitors 13 and older.

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