NBA Hall of Famer Joins Athletes From Over 24 Nations at World Cup Games in Northern Maine

FORT KENT, Maine, Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- After three successful days of competition in Presque Isle, this weekend biathlon fans from around the world were excited for four additional days of competition at the Maine Winter Sports Center's facility, the 10th Mountain Center, in Fort Kent, Maine. Athletes from over 24 nations competed in Northern Maine as the world watched; an estimated 120 million viewers tuned into the games from Europe.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110214/CG47631)

Among the thousands of spectators for the games and the International Light Parade was NBA Hall of Famer and Olympic Gold Medalist Scottie Pippen. No stranger to competition, Pippen was moved by the talent and skill of the athletes in Fort Kent.

"I am very happy to be in the great state of Maine and deeply impressed by the level of athleticism showcased during the games," said Pippen. "Events like these, occurring in world-class venues, instill a love of sports in the next generation of Olympians in Maine and around the world."

Joining Pippen was Maine Governor Paul LePage. Both attendees praised the skills of the biathletes.

"We welcome Scottie, Olympic-level biathletes from over 24 nations, and the tens of thousands of World Cup spectators to Maine," said Governor LePage. "These back-to-back World Cup games are the realization of 11 years of hard work to develop not only world-class sports facilities, but also new economic opportunities for the people of Northern Maine."

The events in Fort Kent and Presque Isle brought an estimated $10 million of economic activity to the region, a boost that the area hopes to sustain through increased tourism revenue.

For more information about the World Cup events or visiting Northern Maine, please visit http://discovernorthernmaine.com/

About the Maine Winter Sports Center: The Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, founded in April 1999 and sustained with annual grants from the Libra Foundation of Portland, Maine. Our mission is to create a model of sustainability for rural Maine. Our assets include world-class cross country and biathlon venues in Fort Kent and Presque Isle, Big Rock Alpine Ski Area in Mars Hill and Quoggy Jo Alpine Area in Presque Isle, Maine. For more information on the MWSC please visit our website at www.Mainewsc.org

SOURCE Maine Winter Sports Center