JOHN NABER,
"Jump ball! "
What would happen if, in a basketball game, no one showed up for the jump ball , or in hockey, no one wanted to challenge for the face off, or in a game of water polo, the ball was dropped into the middle of the pool for the opening sprint, and no one wanted to take possession?
If there's one thing all Olympians share it's a degree of competitiveness , the desire to receive the ball, the willingness to "feel the burn", take the hit, or risk the throw when the game is on the line
Some of the most memorable stories in Olympic lore concern athletes who should have retreated from insurmountable obstacles , exercised discretion as the better part of valor, who yet return to the action, because that's where they want to be. Al Oerter had a pulled muscle that caused him great pain in the discus. When doctors suggested a hard throw might put him out for the year, he said, (and I paraphrase) "Doc, the Olympics only come around once every four years!"
Greg Louganis was offered the chance to withdraw from the preliminaries of the 3meter event after hitting his head on the springboard, but he refused. Temporary sutures, a sticky plaster and seventeen minutes later, he was standing on the back of the board preparing for his next dive (on his way to his third of four gold medals).
Even if "Put me in coach " is the refrain of each and every bench warmer, sometimes the sign of a greater team player is his or her willingness to be pulled out of the game so that a more rested or better skilled player can take their place
At the recent U S. Olympic Congress in Colorado Springs, the annual meeting of the U.S. Olympians featured a series of reports from the presidents of many of our local chapters. Each state (or region) shared their success for the year in terms of membership, activities and fundraising , but the most distressing remarks concerned the chapters' difficulty in getting younger (more recent) Olympians to get involved in the leadership circles at the chapter level.
"The only reason people show up is when there's a party going on "
"We haven't had an election in over seven years , because no one wants the job."
"I've been writing the newsletter, collecting the dues , answering the phone and I don't have time to actively seek out any sponsorships."
These are the types of comments we heard, that point out a very serious concern I haveforthefutureofthe U.S. Olympians. People who used to have a "take charge" attitude during their athletic career , now seem reluctant to assume any responsibility for the future of the movement.
As we approach the new millennium, I am delighted to point out that the le adership of this organization (the U.S. Olympians) is eager to welcome new, younger blood, with all their ideas and enthusiasm. Like the hockey players on the ice after a long shift, we see the next line bringing a refreshing change of pace to the game , and a much needed increase in enthusiasm.
At the next Olympic Congress (scheduled for the end of next year), all the national offices of the USO will be up for re-election. The Legacy newsletter will publish the names and ideas of each candidate, and any Olympian who attend s the Congress will have the opportunity to voice their choice for the future direction of our group. Meanwhile , chapters will continue to function with their limited resources , experienced leaders and tried and true methods.
CONTINUED ON PAGE: 7 7
CONTENTS Letter from John Naber 2 "A Century of Memories" Am e rica 's Olympic History 3 ..... ,l' -~ T,o u r d e La n c e ~ V •_. f------4--5 ___ J l ' ~ ,. Olympians Relief Fund 6 Book Reviews 7 James F. Quinn 8-9 Al Oerter Summit 2002 12 Jimmy ~ ~dro Wins Title 12 . ff.~,:;.. i;:1u,~......,. 24 - •• -~ lympic History Series 13 """Olympic IJa) 14 - 16 ll 17 Alumni News 18-25 Always an Olympian 26 2000 Olympic Game Fun Facts 27 Official Newsletter of the U.S Olympians LETTER FR D M
U.S. Ol y mpians Pre s ident
Visit the Alumni site at http: //www olympic -usa org/olympians
G RE.Ali MIIJMENliS AMERICA'S El ILYM Pl C IN HI STiCD RY
1960 Rome
James Connolly wins the first event , the triple jump , to become the first Olympic champion in more than 1,500 years.
1912 Stockholm
Jim Thorpe wins the decathlon and the pentathlon.
1932 Los Angeles
Babe Didrikson announces, "I am out to be at everybody in sight. " She almost doe s, winning the hurdles and javelin and taking second in the high jump.
The world first meets 18-year-oldLouisville boxer Cassius Clay, who would become Muhammad Ali and gain the world heavyweight title three times. He was so proud of his gold medal that he didn't take itofffortwodays. WilmaRudolph , one of 19 children wins three golds in the 100 meters, 200 meters and by anchoring the 400-meterrelayteam
1964 Tokyo
Billy Mills burst from nowhere with a miraculous final sprint to win the 10 ,000 meters
1968 Mexico City
1936 Berlin
Jesse Owens dominates the athletic events with gold-medal victories in the 100 meters , 200 meters, long jump and 4x100 meter relay.
1948 London
Bob Mathias wins the gold medal in the decathlon, two months after graduating from Tulare High school.
American sprinters James Hine s , Tommie Smith and Lee Evans rewrite the worldrecord books. Al Oerter' s prowess in the discus becomes legendary with his fourth consecutive gold.
1972 Munich
Mark Spitz wins four individual and three relay gold medals, all in world-record time.
1980 Lake Placid
Eric Heiden sweep s the speed skating program winning all five events and a group of ice hockey college kid s produce a " miracle on ice " and go on to claim gold
1984 Los Angeles
Carl Lewis , duplicate s the four-gold-medal achievements of Jesse Owens. Mary Lou Retton becomes the first American allaround champion in gymnastics by sticking a perfect "1 O" on her fin al vault.
1994 Lillehammer
Bonnie Blair wins two more speedskating gold medals and with a career total of five , becomes the most decorated American woman in Olympic history.
1996 Atlanta
Michael Johnson dominates the 400-meter field and goes on to a never before achieved double , demolishing the 200-meter world record with his 19 .32 seconds. America's women ' s basketball team win s all of their eight games and claims the gold medal.
1998 Nagano
The U.S. women 's icehockeyteammakes history with its gold medal performance following a 3-1 triumph over Canada.
Official Newsletter of the U.S. Olympians
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By: Justin Jones
Two-time Olympian, Lance Armstrong (cycling, 1992 , '96), won the world's most prestigious cycling event this July with his victory in the Tour de France. The dominating victory was overshadowed on the evening news and in the newspapers. It was not overshadowed by the stories of crime and disaster , which we are all so used to seeing , hearing and reading about. Instead, the victory was overshadowed by the story of an American man and his family's struggle to overcome and eventually defeat cancer. Lance and his family experienced struggles that many families do when a family member is diagnosed with cancer. He suffered hair loss from chemo treatment and was given a "fifty-fifty chance ofli ving " from the medical experts who were alarmed to learn that the cancer had spread to Lance's lungs , stomach and brain.
As commonly done with the finish line in sight, cancer patient Lance Armstrong focused on what he could do to defeat the road and challenges that lie ahead He had s urgery on his brain lesions and had a testicle removed He lost hi s hair and felt weak as a result of the chemo treatment hoping that it would kill the cancer, which had spread throughout his body . In his weakened state, this once world class athlete decided to get on his bike and ride , while receiving treatment. With loved ones and friends supporting him, the Olympian used his
competitive spirit to persevere and amazingly over-
come the strength of a deadly disease.
Official Newsletter of the U.S . Olympians
CHAMPION OF THE 1 999 TOUR DE FRANCE, LANCE ARMSTRONG, YOU HA VE
• • • • . . "---• . : . . . • ·;:;~ . • .. • • -·...... . • • • • •• .• ... . • t· I • ' .. ' • '• • • ~... i: . "I' J .. . • • l • • • - • .. . •• 4• .. • •.. .,... . l-"'" • ; .... ., . , .. . t.\.: • ' ;..- . y :;: . . . i . • =·~ • - r, . .. • • • • • • •
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Twenty-seven-year old Lance Armstrong has beaten more than cancer since his diagnosis in 1995. He overcame adversity to beat the field in the 1999 Tour de France. Lance is now back on top of the cycling world and looked upon as an inspiration by the entire world. He provides hope and inspiration for those that face an uphill battle in the fight for their lives. In 1997 , he was found to be cancer-free and
founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation (800 496 -4402, www .laf.org) to help people manage and survive cancer. The foundation has raised over 1.4 million dollars for cancer research and treatment.
Lance is an examp l e to us all! He faced death and used every attribute that he and the medical world had to save his life and has provided an awareness of cancer and
the never-say-die attitudes of cancer patients. Lance Armstrong, "wo rl d class athlete " is now Lance Armstrong "world class person." Thank you, Lance, for representing and providing hope not on!~ for yo ur c ountr y bu t every in dividu al w ho i
life . Lanc
s still can cer free withhi sfamily by his side and a world watching and cheering his every move!
L ance has his wheels rolling for a gold medal in Sydney , where our country will begin a new chapter in another century of Olympic tradition . Lance , I hope you know that you will be carrying not only the weight of your country on your cycle , but you will be carrying the torch for anyone who has ever faced extreme adversity and been told there is little hope of climbing back to the top! You have my vote for carrying the Stars and Stripes in 2000, on second thought , how many flags can you carry? You have impressed the world!
Official Newsletter of the U.S. Olympians
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s c hall e nge d wi th ad ve r sit y in the ir d ai l y
e i
In the la st issue of the The Legacy you were informed of the creation of a fund desi g ned to address short- term financial assista nce for Olympians in need The IRS has given us approval to begin raising funds and the Olympians for Olympians Relief Fund is now a reality All contribution s will be tax deductible Again , this fund willbeusedtohelpOlympians, who for reasons outside their control, experience overwhelming financial difficulties from illness or from the results of a national disas ter such as a flood, earthquake or tornado. Our Olympic Famil y faces the sa me misfortunes of life that all peopl e face It is the objective of this fund to offer help For the OlympicFamily,From the Olympic Family with short-term monetary assis tance.
Official Newsletter of the U. S.' Olympians
There are other ways you can help in addition to your financial contribution. Following the USOC Congress in Colorado Springs in October, USA Today and other newspapers carried the story of the creation of the Olympians for Olympians Relief Fund. One of our Olympic Family members, Dr. Ron Jo seph (pairs figure skating, 1964) , read the story in USA Today and called me in Dalla s. He said, "Earl , I would like to offer assistance to the Olympians for Olympians even beyond the obvious financial contribution." Ron is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulders and hands. He said that he recognized that Olympians from past Games might find them se lv es with shoulder or hand problem s and not be in financial condition to care properly for the problem. Ron h as sai d that he will be pleased to consult with Olympic alumni and address the financial requirements on a situation-by-situation ba sis.
Other Olympians, like Ron, may wish to assist professionally as well as through a financial contribution. I know there are others of you able to participate beyond the financial contribution. We will be
pleased to rec e iv e more offers like this one from Ron We are all bles sed to be a part of the Olympic experience from an athletic
perspective. Some of yo u hav e been ble sse d with athletic talents and beyond that have brought you financial good fortune. I think for all of us the phrase is, "To he that is given much, much is expected".
Although thi s fund is titled Olympians for Olympians Relief Fund , we will be pleased to accept contributions from friend s and family. Ifacorporation wo uld like to contribute, we will thankfully accept the tax-deductible contribution All contributions of $100.00 or more will receive an Olympians for Olympians Relief Fund commemorative pin.
I know that as an Ol ympian you are called on to speak about your Olympic experience, to attend and lend yo ur Olympic pre s tige to civic events, and to work with youth groups delivering the me ssage of Olympism I know that you are aware of the strong impact you have in this world because you are an Olympian. More importantly, you practice the fundamentals of Olympi s m. Your contribution to the Olympians for Olympians Relief Fund will make fund s available for the po ss ible emergency needs within yo ur Ol y mpic Family As important , it will continue th e example of caring and involvement th at you exhibit in your daily lives as Olympians living Olympism
Thanks for the help in kicking off the Fund. I wish you and your family a safe and happy Holiday Season . Plea se se nd your contribution to the following addre ss:
Olympians for Olympians Relief Fund United States Olympic Committee clo OLYMPIC ALUMNI RELATIONS
4615 Foreign Trade Zone Boulevard Colorado Springs, CO 80925
Earl Young, President
Olympians for Olympians Relief Fund Athletics, 1960
THE LIVES DF CHAMPIONS DN AND DFF THE ICE
Ol y m p ic sk atin g go ld medali sts Sco tt H amilto n a nd P eggy Fl e min g rece ntl y sh are d their ex perien ces in li fe , skatin g, an d ov er co ming c an-
cer in their r ece nt a ut o bi ographi es L a nding I t and T he L on g Program , r es pectiv e ly, w hich hit s he lve s in mid-Octob er. Th e b ooks provi de de t a il s o f th e ir stru gg le s a nd triumph s in li fe , skatin g , a nd battl es t o d efe atin g ca n ce r. B o th Olympia n s ga in e d new per s p ec tives in li fe a n d in s port th ro u g h d i ve r s e e x peri e nc e s in th ei r Ii ves.
" Th ere are cert a in e ve n t s in m y li fe th at may b e pos iti ve l y applied b y ot hers," sa id H a milt o n , w ho h a d surge r y and c h e m o therapy in 19 9 7 for tes ticul a r can ce r wh ich h ad s p r e a d to hi s abdome n. " It's n o t o dd b e in g s i ck as a c hild , bein g ad opted , grow in g up in a sm all tow n , fai lin g in skati ng time and ti me ag ain. Th e n , ba rn, hittin g it , ge ttin g c a ncer , winning a n Oly mpi c gold me d al.
But , it' s unu sual for all th os e thin gs to h a pp e n t o o ne p erso n ."
F le ming learn e d , " Wh e n y ou fac e a cri si s like thi s a nd co m e throu g h i t , yo u see li fe differentl y I kn ow wh a t make s me happy. A fter b ein g d e pr esse d throu g h m y med ica l c ri si s, I k now th a t I a m ba sica ll y a h app y p e r s on , a nd I want to k ee p th at a li ve in m e I w ant t o e nj oy li fe full y , a nd I rea li ze no w th a t ev e ry d ay i s a g if t. "
'' Li fe i sn ' t easy, it isn ' t fa ir at tim e s b ut it s ok ay b ecau se w ith p a ti e nce
P EGGY FLEMING
w,rh Prter Kamin skr
OLYMPIAN ALUMNI
CHAPTER
NEWS
Did yo u kno w that the U. S. Olympi ans ha ve re giona l chapt ers throu ghout th e coun try? Lo ok fo r upd ates on chapter happ enin gs in futur e iss ues of Th e Lega cy 1 If yo u wo ul d li ke to fin d ou t what is hap pening in yo ur area, co ntact:
North ern Cali fo rni a Ol ympian s
Pr es id ent: Anne Warner Cribbs (swimming, 1 9 60) (650 ) 856-3200
Southern Califo rni a Ol ymp ia ns
Pre sident: Cathy Ferguson ( swimmin g, 1964 ) (310 ) 643-6455 , ex t. 110
Georg ia Ol ympi ans
Preside nt: Rock y Lane (box in g, 1956) (770 ) 963-5903
New England Are a Ol ympi ans
Pre side nt: Tina Noyes (fi gure skat ing, 1964, ' 68 ) (78 1) 646-0763
Mid wes t Ol ym pi ans
Presiden t: Willye White (athl e ti c s, 19 5 6, ' 60, '64, ' 68, ' 72) (773 ) 651-8267
Was hin gto n State Ol ympi ans
Pre siden t: Caroline Holmes ( gymnast i c s, 196 8 ) (206 ) 246-2934
So uthwe st Ol y mpians
Preside nt: Earl Young (at h le tics, 1960 ) (214 ) 361-7050
Orego n Ol ympians
Preside nt: Clem Eischen ( athletics, 194 8) (503) 492-2232
Flor ida Ol y mpi a ns
Pre sid ent: Bob Beamon (athletic s, 1968) (305 ) 470-6262
Indi ana Ol ympi ans
a nd p ersevera n ce yo u ca n li ve a qu a lity li fe," say s H a m ilt o n
H a milto n a n d Fl e min g h ave both been g re a t am b assad or s fo r th e ir sport and c o u n tr y. Th ey hope th at th eir auto bi ograp h y w ill h ave a p o si ti ve influ e nc e to all w ho c o m e in co nt a ct w ith them.
Pres ide nt: Ollan Cassell (athle ti cs , 1964) (317 ) 466-0444
Utah Olympi ans
Pre side nt: Dick Roth (s wi m min g, 1964 ) (43 5) 645-814 8
Co lorado Olym pians
Pres ide nt: Hank Kashiwa ( skiin g , 1972) (303 ) 420-3900
Nat ional Cap it a l Are a Oly mpi ans
Pr eside nt: Jair Lynch (gy mnas t ics , 199 2, '96) (20 2) 462-1092
No c hapt e r in yo ur are a? In te res ted in ~tar ting a c hapter? Co ntac t the Ol ympic Alumni Re lati o ns off ice fo r detail s a t (80 0) 71 7-7555.
Official Newslette r of the U S Olympians
JAMES F.
TRACK & FIELD
iott Denman (athletics , 1956)
When James F. Quinn won the 100-yard dash at the 1928 IC4A Championships as a senior at Holy Cross, he considered it the absolute pinnacle of his athletic career. He clocked a 9 9 over a battered cinder track and told himself "this is just the greatest" How wrong he was .
The Olympic Trials were coming up and the IC4A gold medal earned him a place on the entry li st. But he was hardly a favorite and showed up with a "whatever happen s , happens" attitude.
"There were a lot of guy s who'd run faster than I," remembers Quinn , a 93-year-old resident of Cranston , RI, who now ranks as America's oldest living Olympic gold medalist in track & field.
But the Fate s were on his side when he ran fourth in the 100-meter final oftheTrials and earned a trip to the Games of the IX OlympiadinAmsterdamasamemberofAmerica's 400-meter(4xl 00) relay squad .
The '28 Am sterdam Games were historic for so many reasons-women ' s track and field events were included for the first time;
German athletes were back in the Games for relay, USA hopes were hardly riding high. the first time since 1912 ; future Tarzan , Johnny Weismuller, added two gold medals to the three swimming golds he'd won at Paris in l 924;Finland' sPaavoNurmiand Willie Ritola shared distance running honors; athletes from Japan (triplejumper Milio Ada) and Ireland (hammer thrower Patrick O'Callaghan) won the first golds for their nation and Quinn was a witness to all this history.
Of course , he helped write some Olympic history of his own. Percy Williams, a 20year-old long shot from Vancouver, B.C., had shocked the rest of the world's best sprinters by racing off with the 100-meter title in 10.8 seconds and the 200-meter crown in 21.8. In a stunning development, and the only time it has ever happened, (save the 1980 Games, which the U.S. did not attend) - America' steam failed to win a medal in either of the individual men ' s sprints.
Britain ' s Jack London and Germany's Georg Lammers had run 2 - 3 behind Williams in the 100; Britain's Walter Rangeley and Germany ' s Helmuth Kornig trailed the Canadian flash in the 200
Fourth places by Frank Wykoff in the 100 and Jackson Scholz in the 200 were the best American sprint efforts.
So, when it came down to the 400-sprint
Wykoff, Quinn, Charley Borah and Henry Russell (who ' d failed to qualify in the 100 heats) were given the assignment of regaining the nation's sprint prestige in the 4x100.
Still, with powe rful entries from Canada, Germany, Britain, France and Switzerland aligned against them, America' s four were expected to have their hand s full
They were a true East-West combination. Wykoff and Borah were University of Southern California men , Russell a Cornell grad. All, too , wereIC4A 100-yardchampion s Russell had won it in 1926 and Borah in '27, before Quinn's '28 victory. Wykoff would succeed them in 1930- ' 31-' 32.
"We breezed through our trial and that put us in the final, " Quinnremembers. " When the final came, we were pretty confident, and it worked out just that way for us."
Wykofftook the lead on the first leg and the rest of us just held it. Henry (Ru ssell) just brought it in."
The Canadian te am, with Willi a ms, would be disqualified for a baton infr action. Germany would take second and Britain third , with France and Switzerland trailing
To top it all, Wykoff-Quinn -B orah-Russell
Official Newsletter of the U S Olympians
THE ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• LDEST LIVING
U IN N ....
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would be clocked in 41 seconds flat, to gain a share of the world record with the 1924 U.S. Olympic team (anchored by Lafayette's AlfLeconey), the Newark AC team (featuring 1924 Olympian Chet Bowman), and Germany's EintrachtFrankfurt club team.
Alas , the record-set August 5 , 1928-would last less than a month as a world mark. Germany's team wouldrun40 .8 atBerlin28 days later.
But Quinn & Co. had played their role in maintaining one of the greatest of Olympic distinctions. The 400 relay made its debut on the Olympic program at Stockholm in 1912 ; there have been 19 others all told, and American teams have won all but five.
The 1912, 1960 and 1988 teams bungled the batons, and the '96 team was beaten by Canada. Of course, the U.S. stayed home in'80.
All these years later , James cherishes his moment in the Olympic sun. "We won by a good margin and when Henry (Russell) crossed the line that was such a great, great feeling," said Quinn.
And the thing is, we hardly practiced at all forthe relay; I'd say we worked at it (passing the baton) for maybe half an hour or so, total."Quinn was bornandraisedinBrooklyn and attended Brooklyn Prep School before heading up to Holy Cross in Worchester , MA., whereheearnedabachelor of arts degree that eventful spring of '28.
Things were very different then ," said Quinn. "It was awfully hard to k eep running after college. There certainly wa sn ' t any money in it , the way there is now. So, after the Olympics I quit then and there." With the great depression looming, Quinn knew he had to "go out and make some money" as soon as he came home from the Games-with v ery little fanfare. There were no parades , no ticker tape celebrations.
Official Newsletter of the U.S. Olympians
producer of athletic medals and was also a leader in the school jewelry field.
The company, originally based in New York, moved to Rhode Island in 1956andQuinn, who'drisenfrommanager to vice president, moved with it.
Quinn took as much ' pride in the medals Dieges and Clust produced as he did in the lone Olympic medal he won. "We made beautiful, classic medals , nothing like the medals out there today,"hesaid. Now , they just stamp them out and put in a little color. They're nothing at all like t e medal s we used to make. "
Quinn went to work for the Dieges and Clust Co and was fortunate enough to have the sameemployerfornearly 40years. Dieges and Clust was America's foremost
James and Katherine Quinn have been married for 47 years, and they celebrated his 93 rd birthday on Sept. 11 th In a busy life , he admits, "I kind oflost contact with the sport (track)."
But the sport has not lost contact with him. America ' s oldest living gold medalist says he's in excellent health and looking ahead
to many busy years
Of course, he admires Maurice Greene and the spri nt champions of today. "Did he eall y runa9 79?"Quinnasked. "That'sso fa st it's kind of hard to believe. I guess that wouldputhimabout l0yardsaheadofme."
"At the least. "
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every sport during th e 2000 Summer Olympic Games
whi c h be gi n in S y dn e y on September 15, 2000 and cl ose on October 2000. In re sponse to audien ce demand and an ag reement with the United States Olympic C o mmittee, NBC will ex pand its coverage
o f les s popul ar sport s and offer complete g ame co vera ge of th e major sport s
sports. With the other cable outlets carrying the more unfamiliar, less-viewed sports. The cable outlets will also allow us to "see almost every minute of women 's soccer, softball and basketball," said Ed Markey , vice pre sident of sports press for NBC. The additional broadca st time will
B y usin g it s c able outlet s, CNBC and MSNCB, th e network (NBC) will double it s covera ge by bro ad cas ting 160 hour s
on the main network (NBC ) and 170 on two • of its cabl e outlets. "The cable really op en s up wh at ha s bee n shown in the p as t. " NBC sports pre sident , Dick Ebersol , sa id. Each network will have its own studio ho s t who will provid e introduction, transition and wra p up of coverage NBC will continue to fo cus it s c overage
o n the " Bi g Sports" track, g y mna s tic s , b as ketball , swimming and other major
also let us watch a lot of the "non major" sports and give us the pleasure of watching complete game s and matches in man y cases . The " wrap-ups " we ate used to seeing during overage of the games will be limited to 4 or 5 of the 28 sport s.
GAMES
TELEVISICN
COVERAGE
Weekdays 19 .5 hours/day
(September 15!.lh_IB!h-22!!.Q., 251h -29!h}
NBC 10:00-noon, 7pm - midnight, 12:30-2:00am MSNBC
10am-5pm 5pm-9pm
Weekends 24.5 hours/day
(September 16 th ,17 th ,241lh25 th ,30th October P 1}
NBC 11 :00am-6pm 7pm-midnight 12:30am- 2am
10am-4pm 4pm - 9pm
Official Newsletter of the U.S. Olympians
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OLYMPIC
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CNBC
MSNBC CNBC
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DEven though the greatest Olympic thrower of all time has resided in the retirement community of Fort Myers Beach, Florida for several years now, he is by no means retired.
In fact, the63-year-old,Al Oe1ter, still lifts weights and even throws in senior competitions around the country. All this , after being told by cardiologists a year ago that he needed a heart transplant.
"I have been hypertensive from birth," Oerter said in an interview with the New York Times last month. "My heart is enlarged and has thickened, and I've had 63 years of that. I told them I didn't want a transplant, so they put me on pills. I looked up the pills in a medical book , and it said if you don't get a transplant, take the pills."
According to the Times , Oerter suffers from high blood pressure that makes it difficult for his heart to pump blood. This causes his heart to tire out and may cause it to stop beating.
This doesn't stop the four-time gold medalist from making the most of his post-competitive life, though. After retiring following his gold-medalwinning performance at the 1968 Games, Oerter unretired, then retired again, before finally coming back to win the metropolitan championship in 1977. In 1980, and again in 1984 at the age of 4 7, the discus thrower tried out for the Olympic team.
Much like cheese and wine, Oerter' s performances got better with time . His 227 feet 11 inches in the 1980 trials was his career best throw which is still good for the eighth longest throw in American history. His four gold medals were all Olympic records , improving each year, and just a couple years ago, with Oerter over 60 years old, the diseasedheart patient threw 204 feet.
Now, Oerter tries to take it easy. He still lifts but only lightly to help him feel better. Occasionally he pulls out his discus and gives it a whirl, for old-times' sake
Official Newsletter of the U.S. Olympians
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SUMMIT 2002 •
Athletes in training can benefit greatly by listening to those who have come before them.
Olympic hopefuls training for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City had the opportunity to do just that at SUMMIT 2002, where they were able to talk and interact with Olympic champions from past Games.
At the workshop, the hopefuls participated in three days of listening, learning and participating in interactive activities with the Olympians, whichincludedNormanBellingham (canoe/kayak, 1984, '88, '92),Bonnie Blair (speedskating , 1984 , '88, '92 , '94), Cammi Granato (hockey, 1998), Jack O'Callahan (hockey , 1980), Diann Roffe Steinrotter (skiing, 1988, '92, '94),NikkiStone(skiing, 1994, '98) and Paul Wylie (figure skating, 1988, '92).
"We talked about things that helped us, things we struggled with and things that worked for us ," Stone said.
The workshop also provided future teammates a chance to bond through group activities and games; something Stone admitted was big during her run for gold.
" Athletes feed off each other," she said. "When you have a teammate who's winning, you kind of feed off that energy "
The workshop was funded through PODIUM2002,aUnitedStatesOlympic Committee program aimed at increasing the number of American medalists in winter sports events and the idea came from a program in Norway that is credited with increasing that country ' s medal count at the LillehammerGames.
On October 9, 1999 history was made when Jimmy Pedro won a go ld medal at the 1999 World Judo Championships to become only the se cond American World Champion ever in the sport. Pedro claimed the 7 31<: g (160 lb) title by winning six straight matches in a weight class r epresented by 52 countries.
With this victory Jimmy Pedro surp ass es Michael Swain (World Champion '87) as the most decora ted American judo player in history. In addition to winning an Ol y mpic bronze medal in Atlanta , Pedro became the Tournoi de Paris in France(' 98), and the World Masters Competition in Germany ('95 and '97). Jimmyisalsoa5-timeU.S National Champion.
P edro will compete and be the favorite to win the gold in Sydney, a f e at that no American judo player ha s ever accomplished before.
, Official Newsletter of the U.S. Olympians
• •• •• •••
I-
24-VOLUME OLYMPIC HISTORY
SERIES GOES TO PRESS
THE OLYMPIC
CENTURY: THE 0 F'F'I C IAL 1 ST
CENTURY HISTORY OF" THE MODERN OLYMPIC MOVEMENT
The long anticipated English edition of the 24 - volume ser ies , The Olympic Century , specially designed to be the cornerstone of the International Olympic Committee's classroom and on line support for schools (grades 6 through 12 +), libraries and individuals will be printed in late December and distributed in February, 2000. This beautiful , user-friendly, definitive reference
work , which has t a ken 16 years of inten sive re search, writing and production by an international team , was originally undertaken to sati sfy the thousands of r e quests the USOC receives each year for accurate and reliable Olympic classroom information. The international series presents the scope of the Olympic story within the curriculum framework of social studies , humanities , history and current events. And , beginning in March 2000 , special series components will go permanently online in service to teachers , students and individuals throughout the English speaking world. The online programs will eventually include real - time access to the series master index, in a sophisticated , data/search format to
find events , d a te s, places , m1111 histories,biographie s of a thletes & leaders , and serie s themes. Within this context , there will also be grades pecific , core curriculum guides , teacher ' s lesson plan s , a nd a selfta ught program for interested individuals , pre pared by teach e rs and all based on a combination o f compute r and library or home use of the serie s. Between now and December 2 9 Th e Olympic Century series is being made available to libraries and individuals at 'cost ', which is $358.00 , plu s shipping and handling. For more series information , forthcoming features and pre - orders visit www .olympic - u s a.org and www olympiccentury .com.
Official Newsletter of the U.S. Olympians
Official Newsletter of the U.S. Olympians DAY - WASHINGTON, D.C. • r • •••••••••• 1 •• •• • • • •• A. .J. , , ~,, , ·..- ,J... : a ,,n u n Li AMERICA* S OLYMPIC TEAM • • • •• • •• • ••
MILT
AND RDN FREEMAN
BRUCE JENNER ,
CAMPBELL
" Olympic Day served as a positive reinforcement ," Charlie Greene (athletics, 1968) said. "We proved that we ' re not going to let things fe s ter. "
Greene went on to say that he would like to see the program continued and expanded by adding school visits and athlete appearances to the agenda.
Even though athletes came from all over the country, many Olympians who attended the event were from the Washington , D.C., metro area.
"The event was very important to the local chapter becau se we realize we can set the tone for all chapters for awarene s s, pro-
grams and initiatives, because the nation's capital sits on such a grand stage and will be viewed by people around the country ," said Capital Area Chapter President ]air Lynch (gymnastics, 1992, '96) .
In addition to the Olympians , several paralympic athletes and Olympic hopefuls attended the event.
After the rally, the athletes were invited to a congressional picnic sponsored by General Motors
SE:N. BE:N NIGHTHDRSE: CAMPBELL SHARES HIS DPE:NING REMARKS WITH GUESTS TD KICK OFF THE: OLYMPIC DAY CE:LE:BRA T/DN.
,inrr 1 111 ,,.,,,.,......°'"
Official Newsletter of the U.S. Olympians
OLYMPIC DAY PARTICIPANTS
Olympian participants: Theresa Andrews (swimming , 1984) , HoraceAshe nfelter(athletics, 1952, '56) , Evelyn A s hford(athletics, 1976, '84, '88, ' 92),BobBeamon (athletics , 1968) ,Alana Blahoski (hockey , 1998),JeffBlatnick (wrestling , 1980 , ' 84 ) , Beth Botsford (swimming, 1996) , John B rosi us (canoe/kayak, 1972), Lesley Bush (diving, 1964, '68), Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (judo , 1964), M ilt Campbell (athletics, 1952 , ' 56), Robin Campbell (athletics , 1980, '84),ChrisColeman(bobsled, 1992, '94), BartCo n ner(gymnastics, 1976, '80, '84),ArtCook(shooting , 1948), Kendall Cross (wrestling , 1992 , ' 96) , Butch Curry (weightlifting, 1980), Wi llie Davenport (athletics, 1964 , '68 , ' 72 , ' 76) (bobsled, 1980) , GlennDavis (athletics, 1956 , ' 60) , Otis Davis (athletics , 1960) ,Dominique Dawes (gymnastics , 1992 , ' 96),BillDemby (paralympics , athletic s, volleyball),DonnaDe Varona (swimming, 1960, ' 64) , Anita De Frantz (rowing , 1976 , '80), Harrison Dillard (athletics, 1948 , '52), Trent Dimas (gymnastics, 1992), H erb Douglas (athletics, 1942),James Dzmbar(rowing, 1952) , Teresa Edwards (basketball, 1984 , ' 88 , '9 2 , ' 96) , Ebo Elder (boxing , hopeful) , Francis Conn Findlay (rowing, 1956, ' 60 , '64)(yachting, 1976),JonathanFish (rowing, I 988),BenitaFitzgeraldMosley (athletics , 1980, ' 84) , H ermanFrazier(athletics , 1976 , ' 80),RonFreeman (athletics, 1968) , Charlie Green (athletics, 1968), Frank Haven s (canoe/kayak , 1948 , '52, '56, ' 60) ,DanHenderson (paralympics, sledge hockey), Dan Henderson (wrestling, 1992, '96),Josiah Henson (wrestling, I 952), Russ Hodge(athletics , 1964),LarryHough(rowing , 1968 , '72), Sheila H udson (athletics, 1996) , G. Larry James (athletics, 1968), Charles Jenkins Sr. (athletics, 1956), Bruce
Jenner (athletics, 1972 , '76),J.T. Kearney (canoe/kayak , l 980) , Dave Krmpotich (rowing, 1988) , Buddy Lee (wrestling, 1992), Lynnette Love (taekwondo, 1988, '92), Ray Lumpp (basketball , 1948) , Jair Lynch (gymnastics, 1992 , '96) , Madeline Manning Mims (athletics , 1968, '72, ' 76 , '80),JohnMarshall (athletics , 1984) , Billy Mills (athletics , 1964),NathanielMills(speedskating, 1992, '94 , '98),Jason Morris (judo, 1988 , '92, '96), Aimee Mullins (paralympics, athletics), John Naber (swimming, 1976), Sean O'Neill (table tennis, 1988, '92),FredPollard (athletics, 1936) , Jean Racine (bobsled , hopeful),John Register (paralympics , swimming),Lindy Remigino (athletics, 1952), John Ruger (biatholon, 1980) , Rep. Jim Ryun (athletics, 1964 , '68, '72), Jim Shea (skeleton , hopeful) , Hilary Smart (yachting, 1948),Justus Smith (rowing, 1948), Cindy Stinger (team handball, 1984 , '88, '92),Dave Stephens (athletics, 1988 , ' 96) , Todd Sweeris (table tennis , 1996) , Wyomia Tyus (athletics, 1964, '68), Anne Warner Cribbs (swimming , 1960),BonnyWarnerSimi(bobsled , 1984 , ' 88, '92), Wendy Weinberg Weil (swimming, 1976) , Donna Weinbrecht (skiing, 1992, '94, '98),PeterWestbrook(fencing, 1976 , ' 80 , '84, '88, '92, '96), Willye White(athletics, 1956, '60, '64, '68, '72) , Mal Whitfield (athletics, 1948 , ' 52) , Earl Young (athletics, 1960)
Other hopeful participants: Thomas Jef£ (V A)rowingteam, Curl-Burke High Sch North Baltimore Aquatic Club , Hills Club(MD)
Official Newsletter of the U.S. Olympians
D
NATHANIAL
FIRST
FRED POLLARD MEETS
MILLS FDR TH£
TIM£.
Official Newsletter of the U.S. Oly-mpians
WORLD OLYMPIANS ASSOCIATION (WOA)
universal representation of national associations of Olympic athletes in the WOA''.
ELECTS
NEW OFFICERS
Lausanne, Switzerland
December 7, 1999
The second General Assembly of the World Olympians Association (WOA) met in Lausanne and elected Mr. Pal Schmitt the new President of the Association.
"It is a great honor and a great responsibility to be elected President of the WOA, and I can assure you th at I will do my best to serve the interests of the association, " said Pal Schmitt. " Today , we have 45 members in the WOA and my immediate order as President will be to increase the number of membe r s in order to achieve a
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
While none of the above is meant to demean what we've accomplished, or where we are going , I do believe it's time to send out a clarion call to the many Olympians that seek to belong to an organi zation that is getting stronger and more influential by the season.
Just as I promised myself during the height of my swimming career that I would retir e as soon as I swam for a full year without doing a "best time" in at least one event , so to, am I eager to step out of thi s game just as soon as I can no longer contribute, and as soon as the team makes no measurable progress in its agenda to promote Olympic ideals while gathering socially on occasion
What about you? Is there an opportunity in your town to attend two or three chapter meetings a year, or perhaps to suggest ways in which we can bring our alumni organi zation into the new millennium with ideas fit for the future?
" We also need to stimulate the involvementofOlympians in Olympic activities in their own countries to educate young people, promote Olympic Ideals and strengthen the Olympic Movement".
The second General Assembly was composed of35 member countries. Each country was represented by Olympic athletes which together participated 80 times in the Olympic Games and won a total of 50 medals ( 19 Gold; 18 Silver and 13 Bronze). The General Assembly elected the following members to the Executive Committee.
Honorary President: Mr. Juan Antonio SAMARANCH, Spain
President: Mr. Pal Schmitt, Hungary
Vice Presidents: Dr. Elizabeth A.E. Ferris , Great Britain; Mr. William A Toomey, USA
Secretary General : Dr. ListonD. Bochette, Puerto Rico
Executive Committee Members: Mr. Herb
Elliot, Australia; Mr. El Hadj Amadou Dia BA, Senegal, and Mrs. Irena Szewinska, Poland.
Founded in 1995, the WOAis an independent non-profit organization headquarteredinLausanne , Switzerland. The WOA is composed of National Associations of Olympic Athletes ("NAOAs") from 45 countries.
The objectives of the WOA are the following:
To further the development of communication across the world between Olympic athletes in order to encourage and promote the fundamental principles ofOlympismandtheOlympicMovement as established in the Olympic Charter;
To promote the establishment of NAOAs across the world;
To encourage contact between NAOAs in order to promote the objectives of the WOA.
USOCOLYMPICALUMNI RELATIONS and U.S . Olympians (800) 717-7555 Fax :(719) 578-4911 United States Olympic Committee Tele: (719) 632-5551 e:mail
OLYMPIC ALUMNI RELATIONS Manager Cindy.Stinger@usoc.org
Consider volunteering your industry and judgment , your eagerness and ideas at the chapter and national level, too. Runforan office , or nominate and campaign for someone else. Enter the fray and be not what Theodore Roosevelt called " those
INTERNET ADDRESSES: U.S. Olympic Committee http://www.olympic-usa org
Alumni Relations
http:I!www.olympic-usa.org/ olympians
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cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
The ball lands in front of you What will you do?
Thelma "Keko" KalamaAiu (swimmin g, 194 8) , a member of th e gold-medal - winnin g 400 met er fr e esty l e r e l ay at th e London Olympics diedMonday , May 17 , 1999
Sh e w a s 68. As a 17- year-oldhi gh sch oo l student , s he brok e se ve ral n ati o na l sw immin g re c ord s, and in I 997 , Aiu w as indu c ted as a charter m emb er into th e H awaii Sp ort s H all of Fame Sh e is sur v iv ed by ei ght children, 19 grandchildre n and si x gre at-g ra ndchildr en.
Lloyd Otto Appleton (wr es tlin g , 1928 , ' 32 ) died W e dn es day, M arch 17 , I 99 9 aft er a long battl e with he art di sease . H e wa s 93 As a re spect ed p ro fe ss or a t th e U.S. Military Ac adem y at We st Point for 34 ye ar s , Applet o n wa s th e fir s t ci v ilian profe ss or in the sch oo l' s hist or y to recei ve th e Di stingui shed Service Aw ard A sil ver m e dali st in the Am s terd am Olympic s , Appleton w as indu c ted into th e Nati onal Wr es tlin g H all ofFam e in 198 3. He is surviv e d by hi s wi fe , Lind a , tw o children , three g randchildren and ten gre at-grand childre n .
Bob Backus (athl e tic s , 19 52) , the world rec ord h o ld er in the 35-pound and 56pound weight throw, pass e d aw ay July 1
He w a s 72 C on sider ed by so me as the world' s be st w ei g ht thro wer ev er , Ba cku s compete d in hundred s of wei g ht-throwin g competition s throu gh o ut New En-
Official Newsletter of the U S Olympians
EV E LYN
KAWAMOTOKONNO (SWIMMING, 1 952)
1 AND B I LL S M I TH (SWIMMI N G , 1 94B)
PRESENT TH£
FAMILY OF TH£ LAT£ THE L MA
"K E KO" KA L AMA
AIU (SWIMMING , T 94B) TH£
OLYMPIC FLAG
AND LETTER FROM TH£ U N ITED STATES OLYMPIANS.
g land . A f ter hi s retirem e nt fr o m the sport , Ba cku s ow ne d a nd op erate d a gym in Pe mbroke , M ass achu se tts a nd became a fitne ss c on sult ant.
Mel Blickenstaff ( athl e tic train er , 1976 ) , an athleti c trainer at th e Montre al Game s , p asse d a wa y S aturday , M a rch 2 7, 19 99 He was 82.
M ark Harrington (ro w in g, 19 68 ) di ed Thur sday , June 25 , 1998 in New York City He wa s 52. H arrington , a CBS new s an chor w ho ros e to Vi ce Pr e sid ent i n ch arg e of c oo rdinatin g th e tel ev i sion co ve rage of th e Albert v ill e and Lill ehammer Winter Olympics , worke d clo se ly with IOC a nd US O C offi c ial s in te le vi sin g the G am es .
Steve Hea s ton (wat er po lo co ach , 19 8 8) p asse d awa y thi s p as t Jul y after a l o ng b attle with brain can ce r. H e w a s 51. H e ast o n co ach ed the U.S. w ater po lo team to a sil ver med al at the S e oul G am e s.
G eorge "Shorty " Hun t (ro win g , 193 6) p ass ed aw ay S e ptember 3 , 199 9 at age 83. He love d pe opl e and en g ine erin g a s w ell a s bein g in the water , ac co rdin g to fa mil y m emb ers. His l ove for w ater and a stro ng wo rk ethi c help ed ea rn him and hi s c o untr y a g old med al in ro w in g at th e 19 3 6
B erlin Olympi cs Ge or ge rowed No 6 in th e U niv er sity of W as hi ngt o n e i g ht with coxswain
MEMBERS OF T HE 1 928 WRESTLING OLYMPIC TEAM
STANDING LEFT TD RIGHT ARE: GEORGE PINNED CDACHj W .E. CANN, TRAINER; AND C W. STREIT, JR., MGR.
MIDDLE ROW LEFT TO RIGHT ARE: LLOYD o. APPL ETON; Lr H.L. £DWA Ros; GEORGE RULE AND RALPH W. HAMMOND
FRONT ROW LEFT TD RIGHT ARE: ROBERT HEWITT, ARTHUR L HOLDING, JAMES REED , ALLIE R - MORRISON, RALPH A - PRUNTY, LESLI£ B££RS AND CLAR£NG£ BERRYMAN.
Des Koch (athletics, 1956), a bronze medalist in the discus , died Tuesday , January 26, 1999 from injuries sustained in an auto accident. He was 58. Koch was also the 1955 NCAA discus champion and competed on the USC track team that won three national titles.
Frank Lubin (basketball, 1936) passed away July 8, 1999 of heart problems. He was 89. Lubin captained the first U.S. basketball team to a gold medal in the Berlin Games.
D E SMOND TH£ BRONZE MEDALIS T I N TH£ D I SCUS A T TH£ 1 956 MELBOURN£ GAMES (LEFT) IS PICTURED WITH TEAMMATES AL 0 E RTER (CENTER) TH£ GOLD MED A LIST A ND GORDIEN (RIGHT) T H £ SILVER MEDALIST FDR A U S A SWEEP
Forrest Towns (athletics, 1936), the namesake of the Georgia University track, died Friday, April 9, 1999 of heart failure. He was 77. Towns , gold medalist in the 110meter hurdle s in Berlin , won more than 60 races in a row and broke the world record three times. As head coach at Georgia, he won 21 Southeastern Conference outdoor championships and five indoor titles. In 1976 , he was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
Marshall Wayne (diving, 1936) , the man who angered Adolf Hitler by beating a German athlete at the 1936 Games in Berlin,
B ETT Y R OBI N SON SCH WA RTZ
Eugene Oberst (athletic s , 1924) died May 30, 1998. He was 89. Oberst won a bron ze medal in the javelin at the Paris Games.
Betty Robinson Schwartz (athletics, 1928 , '36), the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in track, died Tuesday, May 18 , 1999 She was 87. Asa 16-year-oldand in only her fourth competitive race, Schwartz won her first gold medal in the 100-meter dash, breaking the world record. She returned to ticker tape parades in New York City a nd Chicago. However , afteran airplane accident in 1931 in which she broke a leg and an arm , Schwartz was unable to crouch down in the starting position , so she began competing exclusively in relays . Eight years after her first medal, she struck gold again in the 4xl00 meterrelay in Berlin . Schwai.tz was a member of the National Track and Field Hall of Fame and the Chicago Park District Hall of Fame.
died June 16 at his home in Hendersonville, North Carolinaashe was writing a novel at his computer. He was 87. After winning a gold and a silver medal, Wayne returned to Europe to fight the Nazis before he was shot down over Italy. After the war, Wayne flew for Pan American Airways. He is survived by his dau ghter, Marilyn Wayne; two sisters, Dever Antes and Olga Stewart; and four grandchildren.
Lucinda Williams Adams (athletics, 1956, '60), a memberof the gold-medalwinning 4x 100 meter relay in Rome , has been elected President of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education and Dance at its convention in Boston.
Andre Agassi (tennis, 1996) became th e fifth
pl ayer in history to win all four Grand Slam tournaments in hi s career when he ou ste d Andrei Medvedev in the French Open final in June. He join s Don Budge, Rod Laver, Fred P e rry and Roy Emerson in winning the Australia Open , the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Agassi is the only playerto win on
the three different surfaces of grass, hard court and clay
Congratulations goes out to Olympians Michelle Akers (soccer, 1996); Brandi Chastain (soccer, 1996) ; Joy Fawcett (soccer, 1996);JulieFoudy(soccer, 1996); Mia Hamm (soccer , 1996) ; Kristine Lilly (soccer, 1996) ; Shannon MacMillan (soccer, 1996); Tiffeny Milbrett(soccer, 1996); Carla Overbeck (soccer, 1996); Cindy Parlow (soccer, 1996); Tiffany Roberts (soccer, 1996) ; Briana Scurry (soccer,
)
Official Newsletter of the U S. Olympians
A NDRE A GASSI
MA RSHAL L WAYNE
1996); and Tisha Venturini (soccer, 1996); who were members of the 1999 World Cup championship team. USA beat China in penalty kicks in the final atthe Rose Bow 1 in front of over 90,000 spectators
Seven gold-medal-winning Olympic athletes including Evelyn Ashford (athletics, 1976 , '84 , '88, ' 92);DorothyHamill (figure skating, 197 6); Grant Hill (basketball, 1996); Carl Lewis (athletics , 1980 , '84, '88, '92, '96);BobMathias (athletics, 1948, ' 52); Pablo Morales (swimming, 1984, '92); and Kristi Yamaguchi (figure skating, 1992) joined General Motors and the United Auto Workers in a $1 billion Olympic sponsorship that wi ll aid the families of Olympic hopefuls.
Bob Beamon (athletics, 1968) will join Florida Atlant ic University's Athletics Department as director of development and head coach of the men's and women's track and field teams. He is also on a book
Official Newsletter of the U S.
Olympians
Carl Borack (fencing, 1972) produced the movie Shiloh 2: Shiloh Season, the story of a boy, his dog and the difference between right and wrong. The film was hailed by critics as a q uality educational film for small children.
Lindsay Davenport (tennis, 1996), a go ld med~1ist in the Atlanta Olympic Games ,
signing tour to promote his new bo ok, "The Man Who Could Fly ". The book discusses his record jump in the 1968 Mexico City Games , his athletic career and the things that have helped him become the person he is today. The book is published by Genesis Pres s.
won both the women's single and women's double titles on July 4th at Wimbledon. She defeated Steffi Graff 6-4/7-S before teaming up with partner Corina Morariu to defeatMariaan de Swardt and Elena T atarkova in straight sets Lindsey is the daughter of Winthrop Davenport (volleyball, 1968) .
Oscar De La Hoya (boxing, 1992) just signed a deal with EMI Latin Records He will be recording Spanish and English-language album s for the record company
Alison Dunlap (cycling, 1996) placed fourth in the HP LaserJet Women's Challenge in Boise, Id aho, June 2 1. France's Jeanie Longo-Ciprelli won the 12-day, 693-rnil e rac e, and Ame1ican Mari Holden placed second. Dunlap is currently the highest-ranked American road racer in the world ranking s
DavidA. Fox (sw immin g, 1996) comple ted hi s Masters in Business Administration atthe University ofNorth Carolina. He has accepted a position in Philadelphia with Goldman Sachs.
JohnnyGray(athletics, 1984, '88, '92 , '96), bronze me dalist in Barcelona, won the 800 meters at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg. The win came twelve years after hi s first victory in the event, the lon gest gap between victories in the histor y of the Games. Gray, 39, posted a time of 1:4S.38, also a meet record.
JohnD. Hartigan (rowing, 1968 , ' 76) was recently promoted to Manager of the Community Relations department at RhonePoulenc Rorer Inc., an int ernational pharmaceutical company. He is also an assistant rowing coach at Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. Dave Krmpotich (rowing, 1988), a silver medalist in Seoul , is the head coach.
The NHL Dallas Stars, l ed b y Olympian s Derian Hatcher (ice hoc key, 1998) ; Brett Hull (ice hockey, 1998); Jamie Langenbrunner (ice hockey , 1998) and Mike Modano (ice hockey, 1998), won the franchise's first Stanley Cup championship with a 2-1 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabers in the series' sixth game. Hull scored the championship-clinching goal minutes into the third ov ertime, securing the victory.
Mike Herbert(canoefkayak, 1988, 92, 96), who was the first U.S. athlete to be saluted by Fidel Castro during medal ceremonies at the 1991 Pan American Games in C ub a, retired from competition. At the Seoul Games,Herbertplaced4' h inK-l 500m.
KarchKiraly(volleyball , 19 84, '88, ' 96) became the winningest professional beach volleyball player in history when he and partner Adam Johnson captured the Association ofVolleyball Professionals-Paul Mitchell Grand Slam defeating the allBrazilian team of Roberto Lopes and Franco Neto 15-7 . Kiraly a nd partner, Adam Johnson , won the finals in Chicago to give Karch 140 victories moving past Sinjin Smith on the all-time winners ' list.
BOB B E AM O N
OSCAR DE LA HOYA
Kiraly played indoor volleyball at the Los Angeles and Seoul Olympics and beach volleyba ll in Atlanta, the first time it was an official Olympic sport. He won the gold medal all three times.
Michelle Kwan (figure skating, 1998) will be the subject of a new figure skating video game being produced by Electronic Arts. The Nagano silver medali st consulted game programmers on jumps, rotation and hand position.
Dr. SammyLee(diving, 1948 , ' 52);Cathy Marino-Bradford (canoe/kayak, 1988,
DR. SAMMY LEE
92); Pat McCormick (diving, 1952 , '56) ; and Bonny Warner Simi (luge, 1984 , '88, '92) flew to Albania to distribute food, blankets and personal care items to Kosovar refugees who stayed in camps during N.A.T.O. airstrikes. In Albania, they met with Albanian Olympi ans, who also helped distribute supplies
JasonMorris(judo , 1988 , '92, ' 96)wona gold medal at the U.S. Senior National Judo Championship held in April in Spokane, WA to earn the right to compete in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
Madeline Manning Mims (athletics, 1968 , 72, 7 6, 80) worked as a volunteer chaplain at the world track and field championships in Spain.
TinaNoyes(figureskating, 1964 , ' 68)and John Thomas (athletics, 1960, '64) helped present the Boy Scouts of America Connecticut River Council a $5000 grant from the United Postal Service Olympic Sports
Legacy Program. The grant will be used to provide canoes, archery equipment and mountain bikes to local Boy Scout camps.
Three-time OlympianDavid Robinson (basketball, 1988, '92, ' 96) won the National Basketball Association championship in June by leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 4-1 series victory over the New York Knicks. The championship is Robinson's first in his storied 10-yearNBAcareer.
Detroit Pistons point guard, purchased the entire nine-team Continental Basketball Association. Thomas plans to use the league as a developmental league for the NBA, creating affiliations between teams in each league.
Steve Trittschuh (soccer, 1988) was traded by the Colorado Rapids to the Tampa Bay Mutiny halfway through the Major League Soccer seas on. During the 1997 season with Trittschuh anchoring the defense , the Rapids made it to the Western Conference finals.
Amy VanDyken (swimming, 1996)completed a remarkable comeback in June by winningthe50-meterfreesty le attheCharlotte Ultraswim, her first competitive race since undergoing shoulder surgery last year. Van Dy ken, the record holder in the event, was timed at 25.95 seconds.
USA Water Polo and the USOC sponsored a showing of " Olympic Glory, " an IMAX film about the Nagano Games, attended by 65 Southern CaliforniaOlympians and their guests. Xerox also invited its
JohnRuger(biathlon , 1980) ,.._ em p 1o ye es was named USOC Athlete nearly filling Ombudsman by Executive the 575-perDirector Dick Shultz in son theater caMarch. Ruger's duties in-
pacity. The elude providing independent advice to event was the first of its kind in the Southathletes, mediating disputes between ath- ern California area in three years. letes and the USOC, and developing and implementing policies to secure and support the rights of elite athletes
Bonny WarnerSimi(luge, 1984, '88, ' 92) was promoted to 727 captain with United Airlines.
Isiah Thomas (basketball, 1980), former
Carrie Englert Zimmerman (gymnastics, 197 6) founded and serves as the president of the Zimmerman Agency , a public relations agency in Florida. The agency was recently ranked as the second largest independent hospitality public relations firm in the United States.
Official Newsletter of the U.S. Olympians
DA V/D ROBINSON
AMY VAN
DYKEN
TIME magazine celebrated three Olympic athletes by naming them to its 100 most
MUHAMMAD ALI
influential and important people of the 20 th century list Muhammad Ali (boxing, 1960) ; Michael Jordan (basketball, 1984, '92);an dJesseOwens (athletics, 1936) were honored.
Charles Ditmon Davis (shooting, 1972) was inducted into the U.S. Army Marksmanship UnitHallofFame The Army Master Ser• geant competed internationally for many years in the service rifle, international rifle and running target events.
Janet Ely Lagourgue (diving, 1972, '76)andTomJager(swimming, 1984, ' 88, 92)wereinductedintothe Albuquerque Sports H a ll of Fame in February, part of the last class of the 20 t h
century. Not only was Ely honored for her performance in two Olympic s, but she was celebrated as a youth coach when she was named National Age Group Diving Coach of the Year in 1988 Jager, a fivetime gold medal winner, was honored as a local sw imming legend. His seven career Olympic medals place him in the top ten of all U.S. medal winners. He is also the world record holder in the SO-meter freestyle.
Mia Hamm (soccer, 1996) was honored by Nike in June when the shoe company dedicated a research and development building in hername at its headquarter s in Beaverton, Oregon.
Catherine Hardy Lavender (athletics, 1952)wasinductedintotheGeorgiaSp01ts Hall of Fame in April at a ceremony in Macon. Hardy anchored the world record breaking 4x 100 meterrelay team that won the gold medal i n Helsinki , Finland. Hardy anchored the relay team which took the gold that year and set a new world record of 45 .9 seconds, eclipsing the 46.4 seconds set b y the Germanrelayteamin 1936.
Hersey Hawkins (basketball, 1988) was awar ded the National Basketball Association Sportsmanship A ward following the 1999 seas on The Seattle SuperSonics star received 70 out of 118 votes issued by members of the media. In 1988, Hawkin s helped the Olympic team to a bronze medal.
Erik Henriksen (speedskating, 1980, '8 4 , '88) andDan]ansen (speedskating, 1984, '88, '92, ' 94)wereinductedintothe Amateur Skating Union Hall of Fame in May.
Josiah Henson (wrestling, 1952) was honored by the Montfort and Allie B Jon es Library with the Hen son Collection, a room in the library dedicated to wrestling literature Henson donated many trophies, meda ls, mementos, sculptures, gifts and awards he accumulated during his years of competition.
Two Olympians and one Olympic team made the list of top-ten Wheaties boxe s of the century. The boxes featuring Michael Jordan(basketball, 1984 , '92),MaryLou Retton (gymnastics, 1984) and the 1980 U.S. Men's lee Hockey team will be rereleased throughout the upcoming year.
Jackie]oyner-Kersee(athletics , 1984, '88, '92, '96) was recognized in June by the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance for s port s manship , ethics and community ser vice In addition to Joyner - Kersee, major leag ue baseball's , Sammy Sosa, the NBA ' s, Avery Johnson, theNationalFootba ll Leag ue 's, Frank Sanders, and NCAA athlete, Jarrett Erwin, wer e honored.
Official Newsletter of the U S. Olympians _ INHDNOR . . . .,.. ,. . "
HERSEY HAWKINS
JOSIAH HENSON
Francie Larrieu-Smith (athletics, 1972, '76, '80, '88, '92) andBilly Mills (athletics, 1964) will be inducted into the National Distance Running Hall of Fame in Utica, New York along with Johnny Kelley and NinaKuscsik.
Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie (basketball, 1996) won the Most Valuable Player award in the first annual WNBA All-Star Game Leslie, who played on the winning West squad scored 13 points and pulled down five rebounds.
Kristine Lilly (soccer, 1996) and Joan Benoit Samuelson (athletics, 1984) will be inducted into the New England Women's Sports Hall of Fame September 15'\ as the hall's inaugural class. The second class to be inducted, next September, will also be an-
nounced at the event. Candidates include Olympians Anita De Frantz (rowing, 1976, '80); Lynn Jennings (athletics, 1988, '92, '96); Nancy Kerrigan (figure skating, 1992, '94);AndreaMeadLawrence (skiing, 1948, '52, '56);Holly Metcalf(rowing, 1984);TinaNoyes(figureskating, 1964, '68); and Nikki Stone Spencer(skiing, 1994, ' 98).
Utah Jazz forward, Karl Malone (basketball, 1992, '96), wasnamedNational Basketball Association's Most Valuable Player following the 1999 regular season. He also was named to the AllNBAfirstteam, becomingthefirstplayer to be selected 11 times. Grant Hill (basketball, 1996) and Gary Payton (basketball, 1996) were named to the second team, and Hakeem Olajuwon (basketball, 1996) and Malone's tearnmate,John Stockton, (basketball, 1992, '96) made the third team.
Mark McGwire (baseball, 1984) had his USA Baseball jersey numberofficially re-
Official Newsletter of the U.S. Olympians
tired. President Neil Lantz presented the slugging first baseman with his framed jersey with the number "41" prior to a St. Louis Cardinals game on May 8.
Billie Moore (basketball coach, 1976), the first U.S. National Women's coach, was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. Moore, who became the only women's college coach to lead two schools to a national championship when she won the title with Cal State-Fullerton and UCLA, led the 1976 Olympic team to the silver medal.
Lindy Remigino (athletics, 1952), a twotime gold medalist, was honored by Hartford Public High School, when the high school rededicated its new eight- lane urethane running track in his name. After winning two gold medals in Helsinki, Remigino spent 34 years coaching track in Hartford amassing 31 state championships. Remigino retired in 1998.
Melanie Ainsworth Taylor (equestrian, 1980, '84 ), a gold medalist at the Los Angeles Olympic Games, was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall ofFame in Tampa. She is the youngest member to be inducted into the Hall.
John T. Walters (speedskating, 1972) was presented with his 1972 USA Olympic team ring by International Skating Union Representative for U.S. Long Track Speedskating, Gene Sandvig. The presentation was made in February at the World Sprint Speedskating Championships in Calgary.
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ChristineM.Ahmann (swimming, 1992) and Capt. Charles Pe r ham joined in marriage June 11, 1999.
NancyHogshead(swimming, 1980, ' 84) has married Scott Makar on October 10th of thi s year. Hogshead i s a three-time gold medal winner and also has one silver medal.
Vicki Lyn Huber (athletics, 1988 , '96) married Andrew Rudawsky on May 22,1999.
Ronald D. Karnaugh, M.D. (swimming, 1992) has wed his hometown sweetheart, Tracy Beder , during the Labor Day weekend.
Sean T. Killion (swimming, 1992) married MonicaTeirneyCaseccionJuly 18, 1998.
.Ray Ricky Armstead (athletics, 1984) and his wife, Kimberly, celebrated the birth of their new so n born March 15, 1999. Ray Ricky, II weighed in at 5 pounds 7 ounces and 19 inches at birth
Mihai Bagiu (gymnastics, 1996) and Kris Bagiu welcome a new baby boy into their lives. Jared was born February 24,1999 at a healthy 11 pounds 5 ounces and was 22 ¼ inches long.
NonnBellingham(canoe/k.ayak , 1984, '88, '9 2) and wife, Lori , are celebrating the birth
Glenn Lee Meyers (archery, 1984) married JenniferTrewernonOctober24, 1998and are now celebrating their first annivers ary Meyers is a buyer with Bissell , Inc
Mandy James (gymnastics, 1996) and Kevin Morgan were married August 7, 1999.
Peter Newton (kayak, 19 92, ' 96) married Jennifer Gerber on November 6 th , 1999
Matthew Colin Ryan (team handb all, 1996) and Cherie Ann married September 27,1997.
Bryan C. Sanders (skiing, 1992) , an Olympic ski jumper and S ara MeslowjoinedinmarriageonJuly 10'\ 1999
Robert Christopher Smith (soccer, 1996) married Tracey AnnonJuly31, 1998.Smith now plays for the Columbus Crew in major league soccer.
NikkiStone(skiing, 1994, '98) married Michael Spencer on July 31, 1999.Nikki wonagold medal in Nagano in the freestyle aerial event.
of their new daughter, Eloise McCann Eloise was born in Atlanta, Georgia on February 24, 1999 and weighed in at 6 pounds 11 ounces and measured 19 ½ inches long.
JeJJBlatnick(wrestling, 1980, '8 4)andhis
wife, Lori , celebrated the birth of their daughter , Niki Rose , born on April 26, 1999
Thomas N. Brands II (wrestling, 1996) and his wife Jennifer , welcome Kin see Jae in to the family. Kin see Jae was born March 25.
Official Newsletter of the U.S. Olympians
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Chantal Lynelle Dunn-Cermak (speedskating, 1994) and her husband, David, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Nolan William Cermak, who was bornApril 18, 1999.
Oscar De La Hoya (boxing, 1992) and his fiance, Shanna Moakler, had a beautiful baby girl named Atiana Cecilia on March 29, 1999. Atiana was 6 pounds 5 ounces at birth.
Rowdy Gaines (swimming, 1980, '84) and his wife, Judy, are parents of a baby girl, Isabel Margaret.
Isabel Margaret was born t--._,.... June13,1999and weighed 8 pounds and was 22 inches long at birth.
Cindy Gilbert (athletics, 1972) husband, Russ, and son, Scott Snow, are proud to announce the birth of their new addition, Alana GilbertSnow, bornMarch 14, 1999.
Chris Huffins (athletics, 1996) and his wife, Monique, celebrated the birth of their first child, Zachary. Zachary was born a week before Huffins successfully defended his decathalon title at the USA Track & Field Championships.
Jim Hyde (weightlifting, 1988) and his wife, Darby, brought into the world a new son, Ben, January 29, 1999. Ben weighed 8 pounds 5 ounces and was 21 inches long at e; birth. Haley Rae, 3 years of age, is Ben's proud big sister.
Official Newsletter of the U.S. Olympians
Matt Petri (skiing, 1988) and his wife, Nell, celebrated the birth of their new son, Chase Morgan, bornonJune29, 1999. He weighed in at 7 pounds and was 19 ½ inches long.
Kerrin Petty (cross-country skiing, 1994, '98) and Jorgen Nilsson celebrated the birth of their son, Erik Oskar Filip Nilsson, onMarch3, 1999.
Susan H. Preston (swimming, 1984) and her husband, Jim, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Sarah Anne, on
March 11, 1999. Sarah Anne weighed in at 7 pounds I ounce and was 20 inches long
Diane C. Simpson-Bundy (gymnastics, 198 8) and her husband, Hollister, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Alexis Merrill Bundy, who was born on June 21, 1999.
RUSSE LL HODGE ( ATHL£T/CS , 1 964) IS PICTLJR£D WITH HIS WIF£, PAM, AN D HIS FAMILY ON HIS FARM IN Rosca£, N Y.
R uss CLJRR£NTLY S£RV£S AS VtC£ • PR£S/D£NT OF TH£ U S OLYMPIANS
RaoulP. Rodriguez (rowing, 1988), a silver medalist in Seoul and his wife, Meg, are happy to announce the birth of their third child, Augustine Evans. Augustine was born on June 1, 1999 and weighed in at 9 pounds 8 ounces. He was 22 inches long
Joe Paul Wanag (judo, 1992) and his wife, Rebecca, brought a daughter, Dimity Juliet, into their lives on October 17, 1998.
DyanDuShaun Webber(athletics, 1992) gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Ariele Journe Adams on March 23, 1999.
Joan Marie Miller Smith (biathlon,
1992, '94)andherhusband,Allan , arethe JoAN
new parents of Xander Noah who was born November29, 1998.
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Calendar of events around the world in December
Racquetball: Pro mus Hotel Corporation 4 th US Open Championships, Memphis, TN 6
Swimming: US Open, San Antonio, TX
Volleyball : Men Brazil Open, Victor, Brazil
Badminton: Mexico International, Mexico City
Gymnastics: USA National GymFest, Tempe, AZ
Taekwondo: Taekwondo Olympic Test Event , Sydney, Australia
Sailing: Sun & Sail International Regatta (AOC), Brisbane, Australia
2000 OLYMPIC GAMES FUNFACTS
Track and Field: US Cross Country Championships, Los Angeles, CA
Team Handball: XIV Women's World Champion ships, Norway
Luge: World Cup #5, Calgary, Canada
IOC: Executive Board, Lausanne, Switzerland
Gymnastics: National TOP' s Championships (W), Tulsa,OK
Badminton : Irish International, Dublin, Ireland
Cycling: National Cyclo-Cross Championships, San Francisco Bay Area, CA
S i te:
S port s : 28
New Sports/Disciplines/Events:
Sports -Taekwondo (M&W), T riathlon (M& W)
Di s cipline s-Trampolining (M&W - added to the gymnastics) , M odern Pentathlon (W) , Water polo (W) , Weightlifting (W )
Even ts -HammerThrow (W), Pole Vault (W), 20km Walk (W) (replacing the 10km Walk), Sailing49erclass (Mixed), Trap Shooting (W) , Skeet Shoot ing (W), Duet Synchronized Swimming (W) , Synchronized Diving 3mand 1Om (M& W), Cycling 500m time trial (W), Cycling Olympic sprint (M) , Cycling Keirin (M ), C ycling Madison (M)
Sport Facts:
Whitewater kayaking was provisional at the 1996 Games and will remain on the program for the 2000 Games.
The Freestyle and Greco - Roman wrestl ing events have been reduced from 10 weight cl as ses to e ight.
The 800m (W) and 1,500m (M) wheelchair exhibition events will remain on the program for the 2000 Games
Mascots: Olly, Syd, Millie
Logo: The Millennium Athlete A t h l e t e s : A pp r o x i m a t e l y 1 0, 2 0 0
Budget: Approximately $2.3 billion
Tickets: Approximately 6 million
Addresses:
Sydne y Or ga nizing Committee fo r th e Olympic Gam es 235 Jones Street ULTIMO , NSW 2007 Australia
Postal Address:
G P O Box 2000
Sydne y, NSW 200/ Australi a P hone: (612) 92 9 7 2000
F ax: (612) 9297.2020
Website: www sy dne y .olympic. o rg
U.S. Ticket Agent:
Cartan Tours, Inc. /334 Parkv iew A ve., Su ite 2/0
Manhattan B each, CA 90266
Phone: (800) 818 - 1998
Fax: (3/0) 546-8433
Website : www . cartan. co rn
Important Dates:
June 18 , 1999
- 454 days to the Gam es June 8, 2000 - 100 days to the Games
(\ Official Newsletter of the U.S. Olympians
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UNITEDSTATESOLYMPIC COMMITTEE 1997 -2000
PRESIDENT
William J. Hyb l
VICE PRESIDENT
Sandra Baldwin
VICE PRESIDENT
Herman Fra zier
VICE PRESIDENT
Paul E. George
SECRETARY
Andy Kostanecki
TREASURER
James T. Morris
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Richard D. Schultz.
,M O!S)
DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MARKETING
Da vid W. Ogrean
20090 OLYMPIC ALUMNI RELATIONS
UNITED STATES OLYMPIC COMMITTEE ONE OLYMPIC PLAZA
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO 80909-5760
Official Newsletter of the U.S. Olympians
U.S. OLYMPIANS OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
Joh n Nabe r (swimming, 1976)
1SI VICE PRESIDENT/SECRETARY
Caroline P ingatore Ho lmes (gymnastics, 1968)
2nd VICE PRESIDENT/TREASURER
Ea rl Young (athletics, 1960)
3rd VICE PRESIDENT/CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT
Willie D. Davenport (bobsled, 1980) (athletics, 1964 , '68, '72, '76)
4 th VICE PRESIDENT/HISTORIAN
Wil/ye B White (athletics, 1956, ' 60, '64 , ' 68, '72)
5th VICE PRESIDENT/ALUMNI SERVICES
Russe ll Hodge (athletics, 1964)
6 th VICE PRESIDENT/MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
Rocky Lane (boxing , 1956)
EDITORIAL STAFF
SENIOR EDITOR
Cynthia E. St inger
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
BanyKing
MANAGING EDITOR
Linda J. Nevare z
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Denise O ' Shea
NoN-PROFIT0RG. US.POSTAGE PAID ALBUQUERQUE, NM PERMIT No. 379
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