Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Drexel President to Kick- Off US Olympic National Team Trial

What: Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Drexel University President Constantine Papadakis will kick off the 2008 U.S. Olympic & National Team Trials in Table Tennis at Drexel tonight. Who: In a ceremony marking the official beginning of the trails in Philadelphia Papadakis and Drexel Athletics Director Eric Zillmer will welcome People’s Republic of China Consul Xiaxia Shi; Joseph Torsella, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center and chair of the Olympic and International Sports Project; and Mike Cavanaugh, interim executive director of U.S. Table Tennis, among others.Visuals:  Mayor Nutter and Papadakis with rackets volleying the ball at a table.  An Asian dance troop performing a Dragon Dance.  Papadakis giving a polo shirt to Nutter with the Olympic and Drexel Athletics logos.When: Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at 6 p.m. (Mayor Nutter expected to speak between 6:45 and 7:15 p.m.)Where: Paul Peck Alumni Center (32nd and Market Streets) Background: The 2008 U.S. Olympic & National Team Trials in Table Tennis will be held at Drexel from Jan. 10 to Jan. 13. The event, combined with the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in gymnastics coming to Philadelphia in June, makes Philadelphia one of only two U.S. cities to host two U.S. Olympic Trials events leading up to the 2008 Olympic Games. News Media Contact: Niki Gianakaris, Assistant Director, Drexel News Bureau 215-895-6741, 215-778-7752 (cell) or ngianakaris@drexel.edu