USATH vows Olympic qualification

Although disappointed by the International Olympic Committee's decision to award the 2016 Olympic Games to Rio de Janeiro, USA Team Handball today announced its intention to redouble its efforts to qualify for the 2012 and 2016 Games on merit.

"First, we're pushing forward in an effort to create a second handball federation and a second Olympic berth for the Americas," said General Manager Steve Pastorino. "Regardless of that effort, I'm confident that the youth initiatives that have started in the past year, our close relationship with Germany, Poland and other European handball powers, and the athletic ability and will of our young people will result in an Olympic berth by 2016, if not sooner."

USA Team Handball had hoped for the automatic berth for men's and women's teams that comes with hosting the Olympic Games. With that no longer in play, USA Team Handball will still proceed with grassroots and development initiatives launched in the past year. For example, handball has a long history in the Windy City; USA Team Handball has worked closely with Chicago 2016 and World Sport Chicago to establish a long-term foundation for the sport in the region.

Additionally, the federation, regardless of the bid's outcome, set forth several initiatives this year to grow the sport around Lake Michigan, such as a sister city partnership with German handball power HSV Hamburg, National Team tryouts and selection camp, 2009 National Championships in Elgin, and at the conclusion of the 2010 season, a major international match between two of the world’s top contenders, the men's national teams of Poland and Germany.

"Chicago is the great multicultural American city and team handball will thrive here for generations," said Pastorino.

For more information about USA Team Handball, call the federation at (801) 463-2000.