City chosen to host world races

By JANET ZINK, Times Staff Writer
Published October 2, 2007

TAMPA - The city may have failed in its bid to win the 2012 Olympics, but Tampa will host the 2011 World Dragon Boat Racing Championships.

"It's a great event," said Santiago Corrada, administrator of neighborhood services.

"We're thrilled that we were able to land it. It's going to bring people from around the world who might not otherwise come to Tampa."

Up to 55 countries will participate in the event, which is expected to have an economic impact of $24.3-million, according to Tampa Bay & Company, formerly the Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau.

A local organizing committee returned last week from Australia, where it made the pitch to host the races in August 2011. Tampa competed with cities in China, Canada and elsewhere.

"We've gotten the attention of the world as far as being a great destination to have that event," said Travis Claytor, a spokesman for Tampa Bay & Company.

The competition has been held in Sydney, Australia; Berlin, Germany; and Shanghai, China. Philadelphia hosted the races in 2001.

Janet Zink can be reached at jzink@sptimes.com or 813-226-3401.

Dragon boat racing

Origin: Dragon boat racing originated in China more than 2,000 years ago.

Tampa connection: Tampa held its first dragon boat race in 2004, and two years later hosted the national championships.

[Last modified October 2, 2007, 01:26:14]