U.S. Equestrian Fed Marks One Year to Rio 2016 -- ATRadio

(ATR)The United States Equestrian Federation is hoping its performance at the 2015 Pan American Games signals a strong performance at the Rio Olympics next year and maybe even benefits a U.S. Olympic bid.

Will Connell, director of sport for the USEF, spoke with Around the Rings on Monday and said that he was disappointed last week to hear news that the U.S. Olympic Committee and Boston leaders were dropping the city's bid for the 2024 Games.

In a joint statement from the USOC and Boston 2024 released on July 27,the two groups said the time was right to withdraw the bid from the Massachusetts city.

The USOC must submit a letter of intent to the IOC before Sept. 15 in order to bid for the 2024 Olympics.Connell said federations like the USEF would only benefit from a U.S. Olympic bid.

In speaking about the road ahead for U.S. equestrian, Connell said that it is business as usual for the federation, with athletes always keeping preparations for Rio 2016 in mind.

Written and produced byNicole Bennett

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