Kevin Nance rearranges the letters on the marquee at the Tivoli Theater on May 8, 2012.HEADLINE: Chattanooga draws praise for hosting bicycle championship
THE RECAP: USA Cycling President and CEO Steve Johnson said that “Chattanooga knocked it out of the park” on Monday when the city successfully hosted the USA Cycling Professional Road and Time Trial National Championships. Police estimate that more than 25,000 spectators lined the streets for the men’s and women’s road race.
The Memorial Day event marked the first year of a three-year agreement for the Scenic City to host the event.
DREW’S VIEW: We salute all of the volunteers, sponsors and spectators that joined in making the USA Cycling Professional Road and Time Trial National Championships a great success. You did Chattanooga proud.
Chattanooga will never be a major league city (unless we can work out that trade with Georgia to move the state line in exchange for the Braves). However, admirably hosting world-class events such as the cycling championship, national canoe and kayak competitions, and other events that take advantage of the area’s geography, scenic beauty and welcoming atmosphere will put Chattanooga on the map in the sports world. It also will give us more opportunities to see great events in our own backyards — and that’s something our region desperately needs in order to continue growing.