Talk about a state of the art facility if it could be done! >From ESPN.com
HOUSTON -- Houston Olympic officials, hoping to attract the 2012 games, plan to complete a total conversion of the Astrodome into an elite track and field facility by 2007. Former Olympians lauded the plan as a step into the future for track and field in the United States. ''It will put the competition on level ground,'' former Olympic sprinter Bill Collins said Tuesday after visiting the Astrodome. ''You won't have to worry anymore about a time being wind-aided or the instrument not being calibrated correctly.'' As part of their package to be the host city for the 2012 Olympics, Houston officials already have pledged an $87 million renovation project for the Astrodome if the city is chosen. The facility would host track and field events. Houston officials now have pledged to complete the stadium sooner than earlier planned -- in time to host other events and work out any kinks in the new facility before the Olympics. ''It's going to be so great for fan appeal,'' Collins said. ''No more sitting in the sun for long periods of time to see the events. It'll be weather-controlled. They could even have a halftime and provide entertainment.'' Houston 2012 president Susan Bandy said the city would be ready to begin the process in November. ''If we are the host city for the United States in November, we'll spend the money on architectural design to have all plans ready to go in 2005,'' Bandy said. Houston is competing with New York, Washington and San Francisco to be the United States' nominee to compete with international cities to host in 2012. The United States Olympic Committee will choose the U.S. city in November. The International Olympic Committee will name the host site in 2005. Houston would attempt to host events such as the World Track and Field Championships and other competition to smooth out operations of the new facility before the Olympics arrive. ''The IOC pushes you to have had events the year before the Olympics,'' Bandy said. ''If we got the World Championships in 2009 that would not be the first event we could have here.'' Houston is preparing for another visit from the USOC on July 11-12, for an inspection before it selects its nominee in November. The Astrodome, the first domed facility, would be totally gutted and restyled into a stadium specifically designed for track and field, including a 400-meter track and 70,000 seats. It would be used for track and field events in the Olympics and would share the opening and closing ceremonies with nearby Reliant Stadium, future home of the NFL Houston Texans. John Chaplain, coach of the United States' 2000 Olympic team, has seen the plans and likes the concept. ''This would be a major step forward,'' he said. ''You're talking about a state of the art stadium that will go to the head of the class. I'm not opposed to multipurpose stadiums as long as we are part of the multi-purposes.'' Houston officials are hoping their plan to speed up conversion of the Astrodome, will help their selection. ''This would be the crown jewel of track and field facilities,'' former Olympian Leroy Burrell said. ''This would make for the fairest Olympics ever with no wind or weather. We've all showed up at the Olympics not knowing what the weather would be like. ''We would have the only facility like it in the world.'' _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.
