By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MASON - Warren County is home to national and international sporting events like tennis, golf and running.

Now, officials are setting their sights on another arena.

The Warren County Convention and Visitor's Bureau and the Cincinnati Junior Olympians will host the 2004 Olympic team trials in archery at Heritage Oak Park in Mason, June 14-20, 2004.

The top three competitors in the men's and women's divisions will represent the United States at the 2004 games, to be held in Athens, Greece, in August.

With more than 400 athletes, families and fans in town, staying at hotels, eating at restaurants and attending local attractions, the trials are expected to bring an estimated $1.2 million into the county.

"It turns into more than just an event; it's business for Warren County," said CVB executive director Shirley Bonekemper.

"It's just adding to the economy, to visitor attendance, to prestige and it's giving us more credibility in the sports arena."

Additional details of the event have not yet been released.

Tourism already is big business in Ohio's second-fastest-growing county, home of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters and Kroger Classic at the Tournament Players Club at River's Bend.

Last year, about 6.6 million people visited the county, which had an economic impact of more than $400 million, according to the CVB Web site.

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com