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The Utah Sports Commission announced that two national athletic events are heading to Utah in 2014 and 2015.
USA Weightlifting will hold its 2014 championships July 15 to July 20 at the Grand America Hotel's Grand Ballroom with Utah Weightlifting, Visit Salt Lake and the commission serving as hosts.
USA Hockey has selected Salt Lake City to host the 2015 Toyota-USA Hockey National Championship in the Tier II Under 14 age division March 26 to March 30 at both the Salt Lake City Sports Complex and the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns.
The three-day USA Weightlifting championship is the group's premier event and is the primary qualifier for teams representing the United States at the World Championships, Pan Am Games and the Olympic Games depending on the year.
It is projected to bring 200 competitors, 75 coaches and 3,000 spectators to Salt Lake City.
The competition includes eight body weight categories for men and seven for women. Events include the Snatch and the Clean and Jerk in which each athlete is permitted three attempts in each lift. The competition will test virtually all of the muscles in an athletes' body.
"The event marks our last major event prior to the 2014 World Championship, a qualification event for the 2016 Olympic Games," said USA Weightlifting CEO Michael Massik. "The commitment shown by our partners in Utah to grow the sport is outstanding, and we look forward to delivering a great national championship this coming July."
The 2015 hockey championship will bring in 40 teams from throughout the United States.
"The 2015 Toyota-USA Hockey National Championship event is yet another marquee sporting event that will generate economic impact to our state," said Jeff Robbins, president and CEO of the Utah Sports Commission. "In addition, hosting this tournament again is a testament that Utah is a solid destination for the sport of hockey."
Utah hosted a similar tournament in 2012, with Utah Amateur Hockey working as the host.
"A major factor in awarding the bid to our state was the tremendous positive feedback we received after having hosted the 2012 USA Hockey High School National Championships," said Fred Wilner, president of the Utah Amateur Hockey Association in a prepared news release. "Members of the 2012 USA Hockey National High School Tournament committee told the national selection committee that our recent tournament was one of the finest tournaments they had ever attended. The combination of world-class facilities, an exceptionally friendly volunteer staff, and a terrific locations with reasonable-priced hotels, restaurants and family-friendly activities for the hundreds of folks coming to town for the event all added up to a winning bid."
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