2010 USA Weightlifting National Championships to be Held in Peoria

Nicole Jomantas September 28, 2009

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – USA Weightlifting is pleased to announce that the 2010 National Championships will be held from June 11-13 in Peoria, Ill. 

"USA Weightlifting is pleased to hold this exciting event in Peoria, a community that strongly supports Olympic weightlifting,” said USA Weightlifting CEO Rick Adams (Colorado Springs, Colo.) “We look forward to bringing the strongest athletes in the world and I am sure the fans will enjoy the competition.” 

The National Championships are expected to draw more than 150 athletes and will be one of the first key steps for athletes on the road to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.  This event will be a primary qualifier for the 2010 World Championships in Antalya, Turkey which, in turn, is a qualifying event for the London Games. 

Located just over two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis, Peoria has been the site of many major sporting events in recent years, including the USA Roller Sports National Championships and the National Junior College Athletic Association Women’s Division II Basketball Championships.   

“We are extremely excited to host the 2010 USA Weightlifting Nationals. It's a great opportunity to showcase the Peoria Area on a national level,” said Chad Mentzer, Sports Marketing Manager for the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

USA Weightlifting will be partnering with the Central Local Weightlifting Committee to host the National Championships.

“I am very happy to see this prestigious event come to our state,” said Marty Schnorf (Charleston, Ill.) “I anticipate working very closely with [Weightlifting Community Liason] Jerry Oary, Chad Mentzer, [USA Weightlifting Coaching and High Performance Director] Mike Gattone and the organizing committee to promote, organize and support this event. I have every belief that the 2010 National Weightlifting Championships will be successful and I look forward to welcoming everyone to Peoria and to our great state.”

Tags: Marty Schnorf, Rick Adams