FEDERAL WAY, Wash. -- If you like to watch Olympic champions just weeks before they become household names, you are in luck. Federal Way will host the 2012 U.S. Olympic diving trials.
USA diving officials made the official announcement Tuesday morning in Seattle. They arrived by seaplane, then shared the news in front of Seattle's Ivar's restaurant.
"It is my honor to announce that the 2012 US Olympic team diving trials will be held here in KC at the Weyerhouser Aquatic Center in Federal Way," said Dow Constantine, King County Executive.
The Weyerhauser Aquatic Center in Federal Way beat out several others across the country to host the 100 or so divers who will be competing for spots on the Olympic team.
The trials were held at the center in 2000, which was the year Olympian Laura Wilkinson made the team.
"Thats what King County Aquatic Center is for me. It's that hope, that dream, that excitement," she said. "I was blown away when I made that Olympic team and I went on to win a gold medal. But for me, that biggest defining moment happened at the Olympic trials,and that is one of my most special memories."
This is a big deal, not just for Olympics fans, but also for local businesses in Federal Way, which saw a decisive boost in businesses the last time the Olympic diving trials were held there in 2000.
In the weeks that followed, the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce estimated the event brought about $2 million into the city.
This time round, the preliminary dates for the event are June 18-24, 2012. Roughly 100 to 125 athletes are expected to compete for the coveted spots on the U.S. team. The Olympic team trials there will include men's and women's events in both three meter and ten meter competitions, plus synchronized diving as well.
The team that is selected in Federal Way will go on to compete at the Olympics in London, which will be held in July of 2012 and will be aired on KING 5.
