March/April 2006 | The Olympian

LETTER FROM WILLIE BANKS U S Olympians P resident

The Alumni Association and I personally, would like to welcome the delegation from Torino into the U.S. Olympians. Now that you have shared our common ex-perience at an Olympic Games yo u are a part of the family and we all welcome you. Many of you are already members of the U.S. Olympians because of your participation in prior Games , but for those of you who are sharing your first experience, welcome! Additionally , may I say that we are very proud of the job that you all did in Torino. Our team was strong and gracious. I am sure that the delegation that attended Torino will be remembered for its spectacular performances and Olympic spirit. From your fellow Olympians , congratulations and thank you for a job well done

The Sunday of the Closing ceremony as I was sitting in church the minister reflected on the Torino Olympic Games and what he felt each Olympian must have been thinking. He speculated that many of the athletes were going to be in shock when they woke up the next day and realized that they no longer had the goal of wimling a medal in the Olympic Games as a motivator in their life. Many would be depressed because a predonlinate part of their life had "ended." Of course my nlinister had a spiritual reason for begimling his sennon this way but I got lost in my 10ughts as his ope1ling remarks caused me to tllink about my own feelings after tl1e Closing cerem01lies of my Olympic career.

Frankly, depression never entered my mind after the Closing Ceremony because I was not wired like tllat. I don't tllink an athlete can be an Olympian and allow depression to take over after the euphoria of the Olympic Closing ceremony We all learn along tlle way tl1at sport is about wimling and losing. Olympians are by nature goal oriented and driven. Certainly, it took me a few weeks to decide what tl1e nell..1: step in my life would be but once I decided what goal to acllieve I set out eagerly, once again , to acllieve the goal. The same is true , I suspect, for tl1e bulk of Olympians.

So , as the Torino Olympic and Paralympic Games wind down , and our delegations coming home from another successful Games , let us remember them and congratulate them for a job well done . I encourage the Olympians to become involved in their local Olympians Association as a way of maintai1ling tl1e memories of your time in Torino. At your local Association you will meet Olympians from past Oly mpic Games who are always happy to share tl1eir particular story about their experience Some of you nlight not live close to an Association so I encourage you to work with tl1e U.S. Olympians to start your own chapter with Oly mpians in your State or c01runmlity.

Over t11e next two ye ars , as we prepare for Beijing and bey ond , we must work hard to make our Association strong and prosperous We presently have a c01runitted group of officers involved who are working hard to introduce new programs and reach out more to the local chapters. Tllis newsletter is one example of the effort to reach out. Look for more innovation in the months to come

~ain, welcome back from Torino and congratulations!

Willie Banks

Con America 1s Olympians Match The Notion 1s Expectations?

Take a deep breath and see now how very much we have come to expect from om Olympic athletes now that America's Team has again surged past seven decades of limited Winter Games expectations and success to become a power alongside the European and Scandinavian nations on snow and ice with 25 shining medals.

And , how rich a mix we have of harsh criticism, fawning television personalities, and fabricated outrage when our young men and women of the U.S. Olympic Team fail to meet the lofty heights and manipulated forecasts created, in equal parts , by the American marketing power, a rivalry-savvy news media , and the workaday lives of millions of our citizens longing for inspiration and escape from the tedium that only the bright glare of a big screen can bring.

211 athletes from 33 states representing their country , their sport , families , small towns , hamlets , fanns and big cities return now to their homes and the prospect of seeing their exploits or their failures on the faces of their communities. As they catch up on the internet or in magazines and newspapers on what has been said while they \.Vere chasing their dreams in the Italian Alps , imagine , if you can, their realization of the stage they perfonned on.

They are kids , mostly, from every .imaginable background , cut from the same rich tapestry of our nation that is the watershed of our history. Rich, poor, some educated, some not. They come from single-parent homes or traditional American families with all the trappings. And this team , again, was composed of the most diverse roster of Olympians in our Winter Games history. Lost for the most part in the unending clicking of media laptops and talk show screeching was the triun1ph of speedskater Shani Davis of Chicago, tl1e first black athlete from any nation to win a solo gold medal in the Olympic Winter Games. His Jesse Owens/Jackie Robinson-like achievement was mostly lost in favor of reports of his perceived feud with teanunate Chad Hedrick , a Texan who won tlrree medals in a sport he had never tried until tlrree years ago.

Image , if you could , the emotions and im1er struggles of young Sasha Cohen as she stood center stage on the ice in the ladies long program witl1 tl1e lead over her rivals, and the unseen burden of the hopes and demands of millions to become America's Queen of the Ice. And , in less than a minute into her final presentation, she fell, then fell again, but regained herself and composure to finish aggressively and capture a silver medal. Not finished , she still must endure endless interviews asking of her disappointment in being unable to grab the gold medal , or her reaction when a reporter asks her if she "choked."

The 20-year-old snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis returns to Stratton, Vennont, to face the queries of why she chose a flip near the end of her race tl1at cost her the gold medal and relegated her to silver. Already we have seen the countless television re-runs , the endless late night show jokes , and the columns tagging her a hotdogger who didn't understand the Olympic stage she was on

And our NHL stars , now in the third edition of tl1eir Olympic competition, failing to reach tl1e medal round 26 years from tl1e date of the Miracle on Ice at Lake Placid, and tl1en listening to tl1e criticisms of the veteran Mike Modano, whose 2004 salary witl1 tl1e Dallas Stars was a reported $9 ,000 ,000, about tl1e difficulties he was forced to endure related to his airline tickets and hotel accommodation, while most of the other Oly mpic athletes enjoyed the spartan, but globally-enriching amenities of the Olympic Village. with its food lines and shared batlrrooms.

But in the end , the stories of the upstarts and the tough-as-nails competitors overshadowed the spats and the bad behavior of a handful of Americans.

Skier Julia Mancuso of Truckee , Cal. , told reporters that her mother's grandfather had b een a liquor runner for Al Capone, then went to the hill and captured a surprising gold medal in the giant slalom Speedskater Apolo Anto Ohno , no w in his sixth year of living and training in Colorado Springs in his small USOC-sponsored dom1 room, can1e through with a gold and a bronze on the final day. His father, Yuki , who directed the then 13-y ear-old Apolo into skating as a teenager in Seattle as an outlet for his behavior, bean1ed as his son won his fifth medal in two Games.

Speedskater Joey Cheek of Greensboro , North Carolina, donated his $40 ,000 in medals prize money from the USOC to Right to Play, a fund that helps children in war-tom and impov erished areas to realize their own dreams. He will go to Africa this spring to speak with children about the gravity and danger of JDS , just as legendary actress Audrey Hepburn toiled on tlmt continent in her later years for UNICEF.

Americans cheered as ice dancers Tanith Belbin, a new United States citizen, and partner Ben Agosto , skated to a silver medal , our nation's first medal in the discipline in some 30 years.

Gold medalist Sham1 White , the "Flying Tomato , " to his legions of fans , left Torino in hopes of landing a date witll Sasha Cohen, who told NBC's Bob Costas that hooking up witl1 White was a "possibility " The X Games skateboarder-tumed-wintersnowboard-ace came home to appearances on the Tonight Show, CNN , and an interview with Rolling Stone . All in his hometo w n of Carlsbad, Cal . (pop . 78 ,000) celebrated its prodigy.

And skier Lindsey Kildow of Vail , Colorado , badly bruised and b attered in an early run, limped out of a Torino hospital to compete again, finishing eighth, seventh and fourteentll in three eve nts after her injuries. Her gold medal drean1 v anished, but what of her spirit and pride in the Olympic ideal of doing one 's best ? She and Cheek were named the winners of the USOC's ~ ly mpic Spirit Aw ard as the Games ended, a testin1ony to the hea rt and depth of their competitiv e spirit in the grandest of all spo rti ng eve nts.

Now, the scores of United States Oly mpic Committee employees who call Colorado Springs their home return quietly to their fantilies and f riends after weeks and ev en months of living in Torino and supporting tlle dreams of the a thletes . More now leav e to support the hopes of our Paraly mpic Team , which begins its chase for glory in just a few day s.

Meanwltile , it is prudent to remember that Olympic athletes are not supem1en and superwomen. The Oly mpic Games cannot eliminate disease , war and poverty, nor can our a thletes re alistically be held to a standard impossible to acltieve in an env ironment wltich places them in the most intense glare of all spotlights for seventeen day s

SHAUN WHITE

Most did their bes t, most will come home with pride in

tl1eir perfonnances,and most will be forgotten within five y ears Some will become Oly mpic heroes and compete again in Vancouv er in 2010 , and be e xpected again to do great things

And , once again, as alway s, the y will carry with them the expectations and hopes of much of America

Fair? Probably not. Is it re ality? Yes.

Mike Moran

Director of C o m munication s. T he C olorado Sprin g s Sports C o1poration , USO C Chief Co mm un ication s Office r, 19 79-20 03

•••SPiRIT AWARD~

2006 Spirit Award Winners Announced

THE UNITED STATES OLYMPIC COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED THE WINNERS OF THE 2006 U.S. OLYMPIC SPIRIT AWARD ON FEBRUARY 26 , 2006 .

Joey Cheek, Lindsey Kildow, and the members of the 2006 U.S Olympic Snowboarding Team were selected by American fans , fellow Tean1 USA athletes , U.S alumni Olympians , and members of the media for best representing "Olympic Spirit" during the 2006 Olympic Winter Gan1es. Athletes were selected based on their demonstration of the Oly mpic Ideals and Olympic Values such as courage , commitment, perseverance and vision, both in competition and in pursuit of their Olympic dream. Votes were cast during the 16 days of competition, beginning February 11 , 2006 through February 26 , 2006.

Male Category Winner: Joey Cheek (speedskating , 2002 , '06) , gold and silver medalist in long track speedskating Cheek selflessly donated his $40 ,000 in perfonnance earnings to the Right to Play organization His generosity inspired others to contribute thousands of dollars to the organization. As a result of his hmnanitarianism and exemplary behavior, he was elected by his peers to carzy the American flag during the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Garnes

"I believe the reason why the Olympics resonate with people is that the spirit of Olympians is in many ways really the spirit of people all over the world. I am proud to be an Olympian, to be a competitor and to be able to give back to people that are less fortunate than me, through a special organization like Right to Play, " responded Joey Cheek.

Female Categoty Winner: Lindsey Kildow ( skiing , 2002 , '06) is the first-ever woman to win the individual U.S. Olympic Spirit Award while not winning an Olympic medal Despite being hospitalized after a spectacular training run accident on the second day of the downhill practice , Kildow returned to the slopes to compete the next day, finishing eighth. Still struggling with the injuries, she demonstrated incredible courage and commitment and went on to compete in four of her five events, resulting in two top ten placements.

"To me , the Olympics are not just about the medals , it's the way people come out to the Garnes and they drean1 about being the best in the world. I am vety proud that people voted for me and I hope that I represented my country to the best of my ability, " said Lindsey Kildow.

Tean1 Category Wilmer : 2006 U.S. Olympic Snowboarding Team not only contributed seven medals to Team USA's 25 medal count total , the team's y outhful and vibrant personalities and perfonnances captiv ated the hearts of Americans y oung and old. Their camaraderie among peers earned them the recognition they deserve The tean1 consists of Mason Aguirre, Gretchen Bleiler, Kelly

Clark , Andy Finch, Rosey Fletcher, Michelle Gorgone , Jayson Hale , Elena Hight , Nate Holland , Lindsey Jacobellis , Tyler Jewell , Danny Kass , Jason Smith , Hannah Teter, Graham Watanabe , Seth Wescott and Shaun White.

Responding for her tean1, Michelle Gorgone said , "Receiv ing the U.S. Olympic Spirit Award means that everybody back home in the U.S. saw how much fun the U.S Snowboarding had doing what we love to do. Hopefully we have set an example so that yom1g kids will have dreams of doing what we did here in Torino and someday they will want to compete in future Oly mpics."

"For nearly 40 years , at the close of every Olympic Games , the United States Olympic Committee has honored those athletes who have inspired our country through their commitment to the Oly mpic Ideals ," said Jim Scherr, USOC Chief Executive Officer. "Through the support of DHL, we are proud to continue this important tradition, and we congratulate this year's honorees for their excellence , both on and off the field of play. "

The wim1ers will be honored at a U.S. Olympic Team celebration dinner on May 16 , 2006 in Washington, D.C. Additionally, DHL will provide a grant of $5 ,000 on behalf of each of the winners to a qualified, Olympicrelated , non-profit organization of their choice.

Following the conclusion of the 2006 Paralympic Winters Games on March 19 , DHL will officially present the 2006 U.S. Paralympic Spirit Awards to the deserving male and female athletes and teams participating in the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games

The U.S. Olympic Spirit Award history began in 1968 , when it was created by the USOC to honor the exiraordinary achieve ments of the United states' athletes. In 2000 , the award was expanded to include the U.S Paralympic Spirit Award , recognizing the excellence and efforts of athletes with physical disabilities Past U .S. Olympic Spirit Award winners include Scott Hamilton (figure skating, 1984) , Dan Jansen (speedskating, 1988) , Chris Klug (snowboarding, 2002), Vonetta Flowers (bobsled, 2002, ' 06) and Sarah Will (alpine skiing , 2002)

The Olympic Games are competitions between athletes in individual or team events and not between countries.OlymJ>ic Charter, Chapter 1

International Olympic Committee - square practices with rhetoric?

The simplest way is to de-nationalize the Olympic medal cerFew who come down with Olympic fever every four years are emony: raise the Olympic flag and sound an Olympic anthem aware of the nationalism-leveling phrase meant to guide the when awarding wi1mers. Although featuring national flags Olympic Movement. One reason: the Olympic medal cere- and anthems is a century-long tradition mandated by the mony continues to feature national flags and national anthems , Olympic Charter, amending the practice would represent a enabling national media to report on national medal counts, daring but sensible action by the IOC to promote world peace often using press releases issued by national Olympic conmlit- through sport, the Olympics' primary purpose. tees.

The Olympic ideals often come in a distant second to Olympic practices .

How nlight idealists - perhaps even members of the

The Olympic flag , representing the continents on which humanity resides and not the nation-states artificially created upon them, has become one of the most recogilized positive sy mbols on the planet. Much of the human community identifies it as a symbol of a force for world peace . If the same

an't be said of the Olympic anthem , perhaps NBC - the Olympics' gold medal sponsor - nright convince the IOC to use Jolm Williams' brassy hymn as a suitably majestic replacement. An obvious question: should the ceremony following an Olympic event mirror the inclusive closing ceremony, in which all competitors fall in behind one Olympic flag? In each, athletes arrive separated by politics and culture, then come together

opportunity at home. The U.S. Olympic Committee and New York City seek to bring the Olympics to the U.S in 2012 for an unprecedented 9th time. Both might consider championing the idea. A c01mnitment to first principles could tip the scales in NYC 2012's favor, arresting anti-U.S. and "envi-U.S." sentiment abroad, including within the IOC.

in a c01mnon struggle for excellence, if not the simple joy found Is making such a dramatic shift in symbolism - in thinkingin effort. worth the effort?

Most Olympic athletes compete for years with the dream of par- It promises not to be easy. ticipating in a ceremony exalting their nation. At three Winter Olympic Games I was one of them. But raising the Olympic flag takes nothing away from the wil1ller, except an opportunity to advance a political affiliation. And quickly, a new generation of aspiring Olympians would grow to associate Olympic victory with humanitarian, not national , achievement.

No other aspect of the ceremony need be altered. Gold medals would still be awarded. National unifonns would still be worn. Political affiliations need not be renounced A de-nationalized ceremony would simply recognize the accomplislunent of the winner - and all competitors - as victory for humankind , giving everyone cause to say: "That is one of our own."

Precedents exist.

The Chinese Govenunent recently allocated billions to its sports machine , charged witl1 ensuring that the Chinese national flag and anthem dominate tl1e 2008 Olympics in Beijing. China's commitment to promoting its politics through its athletes differs only in magnitude and transparency from that of other nations , including the United States , where corporations take the place of govenunent, no less representing a particular political and economic ideology.

Avery Bmndage , Olympic history's lone IOC President from the U.S. , once wrote: "If the Games become contests between hired gladiators of various nations with the idea of building national prestige or proving that one system of govefl1111ent or other is better than another, tlley will lose all purpose." The Chinese govefl1111ent's largess may prove to be a call to square Olympic

At the 1980 Games in Moscow, the IOC transcended the un- practices with ideals. Olympic efforts of several nations by allowing their athletes to participate - and triumph - under the Olympic flag and hymn As Pierre de Coubertin, the force behind the Olympics' modem during the U.S.-led boycott of the Gan1es. This and other exam- revival , recognized nearly a century ago: "Olympism as the ples stand for the idea that athletes compete in the Olympics holder and distributor of social peace , this will be tl1e final rung representing the human family first and as political subjects to climb." Amending the medal ceremony will not guarantee only secondarily. social peace. But the wimting effort in any Olympic event ahnost always begins with one strong step in the right direction.

The call to amend tl1e medal ceremony also presents a timely

Olympians Reaching Out

Many Olympians are actively involved in helping in the community, the nation , and the world . In this section of our Newsletter, we will be highlighting some of the ways our colleagues are continuing the Olympic path of excellence

Karch Kiraly (volleyball , 1984 '88 , '96) and Jack Henn (volleyball, 1968) sit on the Board of Directors of Starlings Volleyball Clubs, the largest club for girls in the country. The Club , in over 40 cities in the US , including Baja, California, and the Navajo and Apache Reservations , affords the opportunity for thousands of low-income and at-risk girls to participate in a positive , structured, mentored environment that is geared to enhancing each girl's self image. Starlings had its meager beginnings ten years ago at Lincoln High School in San Diego. Its Director is fonner National v olleyball team member By ron Shewman. Kim Oden (volleyball , 1988 , '92) was a co-founder

"Real Athletes Play Fair" is part of the multi-y ear National Olympic Education Program unveiled by the USOC in October 2005 . Beginning in February 2006 , select media outlets will be airing four national public service announcements which were developed through collaborative efforts between the USOC and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. The messages feature seven Olympians and one Paralympian, all dedicated to competing clean: Apolo Anton Ohno (speedskating , 2002 , '06) , Julie Chu (ice hockey, 2002 , '06) , Jenny Potter (ice hockey, 1998 , '02, '06) , Angela Ruggiero (ice hockey, 1998 , '02 , '06) , Vonetta Flowers (bobsled, 2002 , '06) , Mark Grimmette (luge , 1994 , '98 , '02 , '06) , Jennifer Rodriguez (speedskating, 1998 , '02 , '06) , Manuel Guerra (sled hockey, 1998 , '02 , '06). Manuel's public service announcement will be aired in botl1 English and Spanish. In addition, moviegoers in five cities (Chicago , Dallas , Denver, Los Angeles and New York) are viewing theater-specific public service annom1cements. Jeremy Bloom (moguls skiing , 2002 , '06) and Michelle Kwan (figure skating, 1998 , '02) hav e joined w itl1 tl1e other eight athletes in pledging support of the c ampaign

through tl1eir involvement witll specific components de v eloped as part of tlle initiative

Proving that The Exceptional Athlete Matters , World T.E.A.M.

Sports offers free clinics for y ouths witl1 disabilities and ablebodied youths ; activities include rock climbing, wheelchair basketball , and beeper baseball. These clinics provide an opportunity for children, often for tlle first time in their lives , to participate in an inclusive sports environment. Committed to bring inspirational and powerful experiences to inner city children as well as adults witl1 disabilities , World TE.AM Sports will be hosting the Face ofAmerica 2006 Bike Ride to honor recently disabled soldiers returning from tl1e wars in Afghanistan and Iraq These recently disabled servicemen and women , tlleir able-bodied active duty co1mades , and anybody else who would like to join tlle team , will participate side b y side in a two -day, 110-mile ride from the battlefields of Gettysburg , Pennsylvania to Frederick, Maryland and tllen on to Washington, D.C. Participants, volm1teers and sponsors will have the opportunity to not only show tl1ese servicemen and women tl1at we care, but also to be inspired by tl1em and have tl1e opportunity to wel-

come them as teammates on this journey. The International Paralympic Committee is a sponsor, and Tom Jager (swimming , 1988 , ' 92) , Sarah Reine1isen (NHS , 1992) , Mark Wellman (skiing , 1994) , and Jimmy Pedro (judo , 1992, '96 , '00 , '04) join Greg LeMond and Diana Nyad in speaking and supporting this inspiring and int egrativ e program

Immediately after winning his gold medal in long -track 500m, and again after his silver-medal run in long-track 1000111, Joey Cheek (speedskating, 2002 , '06) announced tl1at his cash incen-

tives totaling $40 ,000 would be given to Right to Play, Inc. Matching sponsors bring the total to over $300 ,000. After his win in the 500m, Cheek e)qJlained, "I have been blessed by competing in the Olympics in speedskating. I am grateful that my family my coaches , my friends and my country have supported me wholeheartedly without their support, none of the athletes who train and compete would be able to do so at this level. And so , I've always felt that if I ever did something big like this I wanted to be prepared to give something back."

Right to Play, Inc.'s mission is to improve the lives of children in the most disadvantaged areas of the world by using the power of sport and play for development , health and peace. The money will be used to expand programs currently in place aiding Sudanese refugees in Chad, which teach important lessons in HIV/AIDS prevention. "From Right to Play, Inc., the children in disadvantaged places around the world that benefit from our sport and play programs , and from me personally, I want to sincerely thailk Joey Cheek for making this incredible collll1litment, " said Johann Olav Koss, Norwegian four-time gold medalist in speedskating ai1d founder and President of Right to Play, Inc. "To see such m.1 accomplished athlete do his best on tl1e ice and use that to help tl1e over ~ ,00 ,000 children around the world that currently benefit from our prograins is truly inspiring " Read more about this organization at www.righttoplayinc com.

U.S. OLYMPIAN CHAPTERS

Did y ou know that the U.S. Olympians have regional chapters throughout the country? Look for updates on chap ter happenings in fature issues of The Olympian! Jfyou would like to find out what is happening in your area, contact:

Colorado Olympians

President: Gene Kotlarek (skiing. 1960, '64) (303) -807-3911

Florida Olympians

President: Jim Millns (fig u re skating , 19 76) (813) 979-5608

Georgia Olympians

President: TBD

Hawaii Olympians

President: Richard "Sonny" Tanabe (swimming, 1956) (808) 735-1088

Indiana Olympians

President: Ollan Cassell (athletics, 1964) (317) 466-0444

Midwest Olympians

President: Willye White (athletics, 1956, '60, '64, '68, '72) (773) 651-8267

National Capital Area Olympians

President: Arlene Limas (taekwondo, 1988) (540) 720-1988

New England Area Olympians

President: TBD

No1th ern Califomia Olympians

President: Anne Wamer Cribbs (swimming, 1960) (650) 856-3200

Oregon Olympians

President: Clem Eischen (athl e tics, 1948) (503) 492-2232

Southern Califomia Olympians

President: Cathy Marino Bradford (canoe/kayak. 1988. '92) (714) 847-5596

Southwest Olympians

President: Sammy Walker (weightlifting, 19 76) (469) 964 -8824

Tri-States Olympians

President: Otis Dav is (athletics, 1960) (201) 392 - 8448

Utah Olympians

President: Henry Marsh (athletics, 19 76, '80, '84, '88) (801) 560-8698

Washington State Olympians

President: John Stillings (ro wing, 1984) (206) 440-0708

No chapter in your area? Interested in starting a chapter? Contact the U .S. Olympians Association office for details at (800) 717-7555.

ALUMNI NEWS

IN HONOR

Carrie Johnson (canoe/kayak , 2004) has been named the USA Canoe/Kayak Female Athlete of the Year for 2005 , after an incredible year competing in women's kayak in flatwater sprint , winning the top spot on the US team and having great success at the ICF World Championships. She was undefeated in US competition in 2005 , winning first place in the K-1 500111, K-2 500111, and K-4 500111 at the US Team Trials. She then went on to place first in the K-1 500m and 1000111 at the Pan American Championships in Quebec Currently a student at the University of California at San Diego , majoring in biochemistry/chemistry, Johnson is training hard at tl1e Chula Vista OTC in preparation for the 2006 US Team Trials .

Carl Borack (fencing , 1972) has just finished producing a family film , Saving Shilol:i, third in a trilogy based on the novels by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. A film the whole fainily will love , it features a stellar cast of y om1g ai1d seasoned perfonners - ai1d a very cute beagle. In addition to terrific performances , the film has a lot of heart, reinforcing strong values ai1d ethics , beautiful settings and cainera work. If our Olympiai1s would like to use the movie for a fundraiser, Mr Borack has offered to make it available.

Three Olympians will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum on June 3, 2006 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Terry Brands (wrestling, 2000) , Joe Henson (wrestling , 1952) , and Tricia Saunders (wrestling, 2004) will be honored as Distinguished Members of the Hall of Faine.

Terry Brands (wrestling , 2000) was one of the nation's greatest freestyle wrestlers , ,;vinning World gold medals in 1993 and 1995 ; he was on tl1e only two US teams to win World Tean1 Titles in freestyle. Brai1ds placed second to Kendall Cross in the 1996 US Nationals and the 1996 Olympic Team Trials ; his best-of-tlrree finals series against Cross at the Olympic Trials is one oftl1e most memorable ai1d competitive showdowns in US history. Unable to compete witl1 the 1997 and 1999 US World Teains due to injury, he made a comeback in 2000 and earned a bronze medal in tl1e Gaines in Sydney, Australia Also a two-time World Cup chainpion (1994 , 1995) and a gold medalist at the 1995 Pan American Games , Brands now excels as a coach He now holds the position of National Freestyle Resident Coach at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center.

Joe Henson (wrestling, 1952) was Olympic bronze medalist in freestyle in Helsinki , Finlai1d. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy , but interrupted his stuaies to serve in the Soutl1 Pacific during World War II . He returned to the Academy to receive his B.S. degree in 1945. He served in the Navy for 25 years , and also served as FILA wrestling referee , judge and jury member for the Summer Oly mpic Games in Melbourne (1956) , Rome (1960) , Tokyo (1964) , ai1d Mexico City (1968). He served as Special Assistant to tl1e USOC President in 1972 at both Summer ai1d Winter Games , and has been an official participant in every Summer Olympic Gaines since 1952. Five time member of US Olympic Wrestling Committee and Chainnai1 from 1964-68 , Henson was nained "Man oftl1e Year" in Amateur Wrestling in 1967 and received a special commendation from President Ronald Reagai1 Now retired, Henson is known throughout the world as an advocate of the Olympic ideals and a strong supporter of the sport of wrestling.

ALUMNI NEWS

Tiicia Saunders (wrestling , 2004) a four-time World champion now residing in Phoenix , Arizona , will be the first woman ever inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame . Saunders has been a pioneer within women's wrestling , going back to her days as a youtl1 wrestler in Michigan She competed on a national lev el against boys and was ve ry successful , coming from a family of wrestlers , the McNaughtons of Ann Arbor. When there was no opportunity for her to wrestle in high school , she participated in otl1er sports However, when women's wrestling became an international sport in the late 1980s , she returned to the mats and became the greatest women's wrestler in American history . Saunders set numerous records for U.S . women wrestlers , winning four World Championship gold medals (1992 , '96 , '98 , '99) , as well as the 1992 World silver medal. She was the first US woman to win a World wrestling title and tl1e only American to win more tl1an two women's wrestling World titles. She won a record 11 U.S Nationals titles and won the World Team Trials 11 times She was named the Outstanding Wrestler at tl1e 1992 World Championships. When she completed her competitive career in 2001 , she had never lost a single match to a U.S. competitor in women's wrestling She was given the first-ever USA Wrestling Woman of the Year award in 1997 , tl1e top honor within the sport She was also the USA Wrestling Women's Wrestler of the Year twice and the USOC Women's Wrestler of tl1e Year three tin1es . In 2004 , Tricia was Olympic Coach in the first-e v er games to include women's wrestling. The U . S. won two medals in the Athens Olympic Games. Saunders went to Ann Arbor Huron High School in Michigan, graduated from the University of Wisconsin, and has a degree from Midwestern University. She now works as a physician assistant with Ahwatukee Sports and Spine. She and husband Townsend have tl1ree children

ESPN analy st and fonner professional basketball play er Ann Meyers-Drysdale (basketball, 1976) joined a group of legends in sports journalism by winning the United States Sports Academy's Ronald Reagan Media Award. She will be receiving her medallion at tl1e July 22 , 2006 USSA graduation cer:mony in Daplme, Alaban1a. Mey ers-Drysdale began her career as a color commentator for the NBA 's Indiana Pacers in 1979 She joined ESPN in 1983 as an analyst for various events , including men's and women's college basketball and went on to cover the Oly mpic Games for CBS and NBC . As a player, Meyers-Drysdale was the first woman ever to try out for an NBA team when she signed as a free agent witl1 tl1e Indiana Pacers in 1979. She was also the first player drafted in the Women's Professional Basketball League (WBL) , tl1e forerunner to tl1e WNBA. During tl1e '70's she represented the US at the '76 Oly mpics , '75 and '79 Pan American and World Championship Games , and lead tl1e UCLA Bruins to a national championship in 1978.

Anne Donovan (basketball, 1980 , '84 , '88) has been picked to coach the United States women's 2006 World Championship and 2008 Olympic basketball teams. She will coach the team at the World Championships in Sao Paulo , Brazil, and at the 2007 Olympic qualifying tournament if necessary The winner of tl1e World Championships automatically qualifies for tl1e Beijing Olympics. A member of the U.S. squads that won the gold medal in 1984 and 1988 , she was Van Chancellor's assistant during tl1e 2002 World Chan1pionships and 2004 Atl1ens Games. The unanimous choice of tl1e selection committee , Donovan has been part of 19 USA Basketball teams as a player and coach Last y ear, she became the first female coach to reach 100 wins in the WNBA, and has 112 career victories She was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995.

Elliott Denman (atllletics , 1956) completed his 27th consecutive New York City Marathon, racewalking through tl1e five boroughs in 6:00 :08 .

President George W. Bush designated a stellar team of Olympians as the official Presidential Delegation to tl1e 2006 Oly mpic Games .n Torino. Accompanying First Lady Laura Bush and daughter Barbara Bush were Dorothy Hamill (figure skating, 1976) , Debi Thomas (figure skating, 1988) , Dr. Elie Heiden (speedskating , 1976 , '80) , Kerli Stmg (gy mnastics , 1992 , '96) , and Herschel Walker (bobsled , 1992).

ALUMNI NEWS

Ronald Cardwell, (rowing , 1956) was honored by Lafayette High School (from which he graduated in 1950) , when he was inducted into the Sports Wall of Fame on May 6 , 2005. Cardwell won 13 American National and 11 Canadian National Championships , and won a silver medal at the 1955 Pan American Games in addition to stroking the crew to the quarterfinals in Melbourne , Australia. Cardwell was also elected to the Boston University Hall of Fame.

One of the stars of the USA Women's National Sitting Volleyball Team has been elected to a truly unique award. Lora Webster (sitting volleyball , 2004) a cancer survivor who has a smile that lights up a room and a bronze medal from the Athens Paralympic Games , is also a "Fun Fearless Female ," according to Cosmopolitan magazine. The 19-year-old freslunan at Paradise Valley Conununity College in Phoenix was selected from a field of more than 1,000 entries. Ten semifinalists were on the ballot which narrowed the group by a combination of reader votes and Cosmo editor votes. Webster was flown to New York with the other finalists for a photo shoot and interviews. Wiren asked how she felt about being a role model for other girls , Webster said , "I don't think I have ever thought of myself that way, but I hope that if girls read the story it will give them the outlook on life that nothing can hold them back." Webster, who will be transferring to the University of Nebraska in the fall , plans on majoring in physical tl1erapy because "I know I want to help people since I have been tlrrough a lot from a rehabilitation aspect." Webster, who had her left leg amputated after being diagnosed witl1 bone cancer at tl1e age of 11 , was one of tl1e main reasons the USA Women made history on September 27 , 2004 , when it captured the bronze medal at tlle Paralympic Gaines in Athens , Greet, witl1 a 3-1 win over Slovenia. The medal was the first of any kind at the Paralympics for any of the disabled volleyball programs (sitting or standing, men's or women's) .

The U.S. Sports Academy presented tl1e Jim Thorpe All-Around Award to Hunter Kemper (triathlon, 2000 , '04 ) in a ceremony at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center. Kemper is tl1e first American male to be ranked No. 1 in the world in his sport Early in his career, he won five consecutive national chainpionships in the Iron Kids Series, from age 10 to 14. In 2005 he raced a total of 15 triathlons , and eight were World Cup events; he won two of tl1ese competitions , including the race at Beijing on the 2008 Olympic triathlon course. The triathlon was added to tile Olympics in Sydney in 2000 , and Kemper placed 17th; he was nintl1 at Athens in 2004 . "If I get better eight places every time , I'll win gold. I tllink tl1at's a real legitimate goal , " he said after receiving the award. Kemper comes from Orlai1do , Florida , and has lived and trained in Colorado Springs since 1998.

The Atlanta History Center will introduce a landmark exllibit tllis smmner commemorating tl1e 10th anniversary of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. The Museum brings togetl1er some 6 ,000 artifacts donated by the Atlanta Conunittee for the Olympic Games , including atlllete unifom1s , costumes ai1d props from tl1e game ceremmlies, the cauldron from the torch relay , venue drawings , conunemorative game pins and medals. The center has constructed a 6,000-squarefoot , tlrree-level building specifically for the exllibit, wllich will walk visitors tlrrough both the llistory of the Olympic Games and tl1e ten years of work and plamling that led up to tl1e 1996 Games. On the second level , fanlilies and children will er\joy the interactive Sports Lab , where visitors will be able to test their strengtl1 and compare themselves witl1 the world's greatest atllletes tlrrough computer simulations , games and other interactive displays. The Sports Lab will include a trai1ling wall , an assisted long jump witl1 overhead handlebar to allow visitors to experience tlle thrill of moving tlrrough tl1e air, a cycling game inside a velodrome , and a rowing game to allow visitors to row through a variety of scenery. Through tl1e activities and multimedia presentations , visitors will come away witl1 a renewed appreciation for and excitement about the Centennial Olympic Games.

999

n HE OLYMPIANS LEFT FROM RIGHT ARE : MIKE O ' BRIEN , JENNIFER PARILLA, PAULA , EISHOFF, ELAINA ODEN , CATHY MARINO BRADFORD , DR SAMMY LEE AND MONTE NITZKOWSKI

Olympians turned out to help celebrate the 94th birthdays of Girl Scouting (March 12 , 1912) and the birth of former First Lady Patricia Nixon (March 16 , 1912). On Sunday, March 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda , California was the site of a day of "Olympics" entertainment and fun The event's keynote speaker was Cathy Marino Bradford (kay aking, 1988 , '92). Now the President of the Southern California Olympians , Ms. Bradford was an eight-time National Champion in kayaking and went on to become the first female fire recruit to pass the Santa Ana College Fire Academy in 1981 , rising to the rank of Fire Captain in 2000. She now v olunteers for numerous organizations including serving on the board of the Olympians for Olympians Relief Fund. Other Olympians participating in the Girl Scout/Richard Nixon Library Event

are Dr. Sammy Lee (di v ing , 1948 , '52) , considered one of the greatest divers in Olympic history; Paula Weishoff (volleyball, 1984 , '92 , '96) , Mike O'Brien (swimming, 1984) , Monte Nitzkowski (swimming , 1952) , Elaina Oden (volleyball , 1992 , '96) , and the sole representative of the U.S.A. Oly mpic Trampoline Team , Jennifer Parilla (trampoline, 2000 , '04).

MILESTONES

Chris Jogis (badminton, 1992) has a new business position He has moved from Pepsi to a new opportunity heading up US advertising and brand development for Master Card.

Scott Donie (rowing , 1992 , '96) and his wife , Kaili Vernoff, proudly announce the arrival of Lucy Krista Donie , bom December 27 , 2005 at 8:09 pm.

On November 12 , 2005 , Julie Goskowicz (speedskating , 1998. '02) married Jeffrey Koons in Milwaukee , Wisconsin. Jeffrey's brother Scott Koons (speedskating, 1998) was Julie's teaimnate in the Oly mpics in 1998.

On February 25 , 2006 at 9:16 pm , Jon Root (volleyball, 1988) and Laura Ames were graced vith a beautiful bab y girl in perfect health Ayden Alexa Ames entered this world weighing 8 . s. , 8 o z . and measured 21 inches long ; she is described as a "bundle of calm love and joy ." Congratulations t o Mom , Dad and this lov ely young lady.

IN MEMORIAM

We join in mourning the loss of Eric Namesnik (swimming , 1992 , '96) Critically injured in an automobile accident caused by icy road conditions on January 7, he passed away on January 11. Known as "Snik" in the swinuning community, he was a two-time silver Olympic medalist in the 400m individual medley . He became the first American under 4 :15 in the 400 IM and set four US records in that event. He is still the fourth-fastest US performer in the 400 IM In 1993 , he was a finalist for the U .S. Olympic committee SportsMan of the Year. He served as the assistant coach at the University of Michigan, his alma mater, from 1997 -2004 , helping the Wolverines to three Big 10 Championship titles . He also coached 11 Olympians during his tenure. Most recent , he served as tl1e assistant manager for tlle 2005 World University Gan1es team tllat competed in Izmir, Turkey. He also served on the USA Swimming Board of Directors for si x years. His wife is fom1er Michigan swilmner Kirsten Silvester They have two children: Austin and Madison

Cycling legend John Sinibaldi (cycling , 1932 , '36) died in his sleep on Tuesday, Januaiy 10 , 2006 , after a short battle with lung cancer. He was 92 . A legend in tl1e world of cycling, he was an Oly mpian, a record holder, a cy cling ambassador, and a fixture on the American cycling scene for 75 years , winning national chan1pionships right up until last y ear; he won his first national-level race in 1928 and his last in 2005. He made tl1e 1932 Olympic team, but a stomach virus kept hin1 from perfonuing his best Three years later, he rode 100 kilometers in 2 hours , 25 minutes and 9 seconds on a one-geared bike. The record stood for almost half a centuiy. In 1936 , he was back at the Olympics and had a good chance to medal until his wheel broke near the finish line When World War II canceled tl1e 1940 and 1944 Olympics, Mr. Sinibaldi's chances of a medal were scuttled But he kept riding. Most mornings he'd pedal 20 miles through the city of St. Petersburg, Florida as soon as the sun was up , returning home to tend to his garden. In December 2005 , over 350 people participated in a veiy special "I Rode with the Legend" bicycle ride over Mr Sinibaldi's favorite route ; many of the riders personally thanked him for carrying the American cy cling torch for eight decades He shared his secret for a long, healthy life: eat vegetables , go barefoot whenever possible and, of course , ride your bike like crazy.

The Sammy Lee Award is presented once eveiy four years to the one individual in the world who in his lifetime has done the most for Diving through his example of world friendship , knowledge , skill and dedication to tl1e sport of Diving. In 1991 , tl1e award was presented to Dick A. Smith (diving coach, 1964 , '68) and describes succinctly the life and work ofthis diving legend, who passed away on January 2, 2006 At the Dick S1uith Swim Gym in Phoenix, AZ , he developed a world-renowned school for physical education, diving, swimming, gymnastics , martial arts , dance, scuba diving and more After serving as Olympic diving coach, he was a member of US Diving's Olympic Advisoiy Board, and was President of World Diving Coaches' Association from 1976 until his death. Winner of many awards and tributes for his sport and for his humanitarian efforts through physical education, S1uith was revered world-wide for a lifetime of dedication to diving

Captain of tl1e University of Washington's Husky varsity eight crew, Jim McMillin (rowing, 1936) died August 22 , 2005 The entire crew represented the United States at tl1e Summer Oly mpic Games in Berlin, Gennany Entering the race , the crews from Gennany and Italy were the heavy favorites. The Husky -powered U.S shell got off to a slow stalt, but steadily caught up with the field tlrroughout tlle race The U S. boat took tl1e lead in tl1e final 50 meters , winning by a few feet. The gold medals and olive wreatl1s were presented to the crew by Adolf Hitler. The triwnph has been heralded as one of the greatest moments in Seattle sports histoiy,

and was named the " Sports Event of the Century" by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper. A graduate of Seattle's Queen Anne High School , McMillan was one of over 200 freshmen who tried out for the rowing team upon his arrival at the University of Washington He rowed ·with the freshman and junior varsity boats his first two years before joining the varsity eight his finial two seasons . The UW varsity eight never lost a race during his two-year tenure. He coached at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology after graduating fonn UW. He later worked as an engineer at Boeing and lived on Bainbridge Island for over 45 years.

Louis W. Jones III (athletics, 1956) died in Monefiore Medical Center in the Bronx , New York at age 74 . In Melbourne , Jones was a member of the gold medal 4X400 relay and was fifth in the 400m. In the Pan Am Games of 1955 , he set a world record for the 400 meters (45.4) and broke his record in the LA Olympic trials with a 45.2 in 1956. He lived in New Rochelle , New York , and attended Manhattan College

Charles Frederick Leonard, Jr. (modern pentathlon, 1936) a retired Anny major general who won a silver medal in the 1936 Olympics , died February 18 at The Fairfax retirement community in Fort Belvoir, Virginia . He had complications from a heart attack he suffered three weeks earlier.

General Leonard was just a year out of West Point when he competed in the Berlin Olympics , receiving the first perfect score in the pistol event of the pentathlon, an achievement not equaled in Olympic competition until 1980 In addition to shooting , modern pentathlon competitors fence , swim, nm and jump horses. He was a teammate of Jesse Owens and got to know him on the transAtlantic voyage. After seeing Adolf Hitler's Gennany, he wrote home warning friends and relatives to be on guard.

•-ieneral Leonard was born in Fort Snelling, Minnesota , the son of an Arn1y officer, and grew up on a series of Anny posts After vVest Point and tl1e Olympics , he served in sev eral infantry regiments and taught at West Point during World War II. He served primarily in infantry and armored units and also served as tl1e commanding officer of a unit stationed along the Iron Curtain between East and West Gennany from 1958 to 1959. He was commanding general of the Anny intelligence command at Fort Holabird , Maryland from 1964 to 1965 and commanding general of the 10th US Anny Corps in Seattle until 1967.

A finn believer in marksmanship training all his life , General Leonard served as executive officer of the national marksmanship matches in 1955 and 1956 and consulted witl1 tl1e US Olympic marksmanship and pentathlon teams.

OLYMPIC ALUMNI NEWS

I have some news to share with or annormce tomy fellow OlympianAlwnni:

Please fax or email your latest achievement, promotion , significant life event, marriage , birth, etc ; to the U S. Olympians As soc iation c/o Cynthi a E. Stinger, Manager fax : 719-866 -472 8 or email : cindy.stinger@usoc org

ATTENTION ALL SUMMER OLYMPIANS

One of our USO( sponsors, Johnson &Johnson (J&J,) is looking for summer athletes (or family members of athletes) who have or have had a form of skin cancer. J&J will potentially use an athlete(s) and/or their fam ily members in marketing collateral.

If you meet the above criteria, please send Trish Tulloch in the USO( Partnership Marketing Dept. an email with the following information so that you may be considered: your name your sport years you competed for team USA your skin cancer diagnosis date and status

Trish's email address is trish.tulloch@usoc.org.

1 OLYJ\.1PIC PLAZA

COLORADO SPRINGS , COLORADO 80909-5760

COLORADO OLYMPIANS

HOST SKI WITH AN OLYMPIAN AT KEYSTONE RESORT IN MARCH/2006

UNITED STATES OLYMPIC COMMITTEE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

USOC CHAIRMAN

Peter Ueberroth

Bob Ctvrtlik

Erroll Davis

Anita DeFrantz

Jim Easton

JairLynch

Maty McCagg

Jim McCarthy

Mike Plant

Dr. Harold Shapiro

Stephaine Streeter

USOC CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Jim Scherr

U.S. OLYMPIANS OFFICERS

2005-2008

PRESIDENT

Willie Banks (athletics , 1980 , ' 84 , '88)

VICE PRESIDENTS

Anne Warner Cribbs (swinuning, 1960)

Connie Paraskevin-Young (speedskating, 1980 , ' 84/cycling, 1988 , ' 92 , '96)

Carol Lewis (athletics , 1980 , ' 84 , ' 88)

Dick Fosbmy (atltletics , 1968)

Micki King (diving, 1968 , ' 72)

Gary W. Hall Sr. (swi1m11ing , 1968 , ' 72 , ' 76)

HONORARY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dorothy Franey Langkop (speedskating , 1932)

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

Jolm Naber (swimnring, 1976)

PAST PRESIDENT

Bill Toomey (athletics, 1968)

EDITORIAL STAFF

SENIOR EDITOR

Cynthia E. Stinger (team handball , 1984 , '88 , '92)

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Leah Chat1dler Mills

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Denise O'Shea - O'Shea Design

Photos by: Geny Images & The USOC Library

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