They are cities defined by iconic sporting events.
When Augusta comes up, one instantly thinks of the Masters. If Omaha is mentioned, it’s often in the same breath with the College World Series. It’s hard to imagine Louisville without the Kentucky Derby.
In the coming weeks, The Associated Press will look at those cities and others like them – from Williamsport to Oklahoma City to Cheyenne – to examine how the shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic is an especially wrenching blow.
“This is who we are,” said Jason Fink, the chamber of commerce president in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, which has been synonymous with the Little League World Series since it was founded in 1947.
They can certainly relate to that sentiment in Augusta.