"It is an honor for USBC to be a part of representing the Olympic efforts of the
United States," USBC Vice President-National Governing Body Neil Stremmel said.
"The USOC understands the significance of this training center and the fact that
we will be utilizing new technologies in the training arena as well as designing
bowling specific exercise regimes that will impact the future of our sport."
The USOC decision gives the International Training and Research Center - a joint
venture between the USBC and BPAA - the distinction of being the lone testing
and athlete-development facility in the sport of bowling to feature the Olympic
rings.
"This further validates the vision of bringing together the efficiencies of BPAA
and the USBC under one roof to promote the sport," BPAA President Jim Sturm
said. "With bowling's history and worldwide appeal, hanging the Olympic rings in
Arlington can only enhance the bowling industry and its partners within the
international community."
The new training facility in Arlington adds to the city's already-impressive
collection of elite sporting venues, which include the Rangers Ballpark in
Arlington, home of the Texas Rangers, and Cowboys Stadium, the new $1.15 billion
home of the Dallas Cowboys.
"The City of Arlington is extremely proud to welcome the U.S. Bowling Congress
and the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America to our community," Arlington
Mayor Robert Cluck said. "Both organizations are very important additions to our
sports-oriented community."
Upon completion, which is forecast for fall 2009, the International Training and
Research Center will include 14 lanes for training and six for research and
testing of bowling equipment. Four lanes will be specially designed and equipped
for broadcast television finals. High-tech tools in the test center's research
area will include a robotic ball thrower, C.A.T.S. (computer-aided tracking
system) and state-of-the-art biomechanics technology that includes grip
pressure, foot pressure and motion capture, which uses a sensor array and
computer system to precisely track a bowler's bodily movements.
Plans call for USBC coaches to use the test center lanes to coach Team USA,
Junior Team USA, national teams from World Tenpin Bowling Association countries
as well as other coaches who want to train in the facility. In addition, the
center will host International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association and
BPAA seminars and be available for a fee to bowlers who want to take high-tech
coaching lessons.
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