A LETTER FROM USOPA PRESIDENT
Jackie Washington | Track & Field, 1984
I am extremely proud and honored to serve as the President of the United States Olympians and Paralympians Association (USOPA). This opportunity adds to the many victories I have celebrated throughout my lifetime. I feel fortunate to be a part of something so magical, inspiring, and impactful.
As I take on the role of USOPA President, the need for action on a national level is greater than ever. Together with the incoming Executive Committee consisting of caring and caring and creative Olympians and Paralympians such as Jessie Smith (Water Polo), Bill Schuffenhauer (Bobsled), John McCardle (Track & Field), Michelle Finn Burrell (Track & Field), Sharon Jewell (Taekwondo), and Paralympians Rory Cooper (Para Track & Field) and Billy Lister (Para Cycling) we are committed to advancing our purpose with clear direction and determination. Work is not a foreign concept to Olympians and Paralympians we thrive on challenges and understand what it takes to succeed.
Your 2025 Executive Committee will remain focused solely on you while improving communication, fostering engagement, and strengthening relationships with the USOPC and the communities that surround them. Here is my plan:
Restore Chapter Development
My top priority is to strengthen chapter development nationwide by restoring and enhancing their presence and activities
Honor Legacy
We will work to establish a nationwide initiative that recognizes and honors USOPA members’ achievements and inspires future generations to pursue their dreams while upholding a legacy of excellence.
Enhance a pipeline of gainful opportunities for alumni
We are dedicated to improving communication channels and fostering greater engagement and opportunities for qualified USOPA applicants to be employed and/or participate within the USOPC and engage more in programs and organizations.
The pursuit of Olympic and Paralympic momentum does not stop here. As Keepers of the Flame, we will continue to fuel the spirit of Olympism through initiatives such as Willie Banks' Walk to LA 2028 and your participation in the Olympian and Paralympian Reunion. These efforts honor your legacy and strengthen the movement.
Our goal as USOPA Executive Committee is committed to raising awareness, fostering community engagement, and driving social impact. Our goal is to build a visible, impactful organization that creates legacy athletes while promoting the Olympic and Paralympic movement. We aim to inspire youth across the country, showing them they, too, can share in the legacy of the few and the proud While tasks may be challenging, Olympians and Paralympians excel at focusing - not on why something cannot be achieved, but on why it should and can be achieved.
I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the outgoing Executive Committee, led by Caryn Davies. Their leadership has laid a strong foundation of governance, and it is now our responsibility to build upon it with action and development
Your participation and momentum are crucial in all levels of USOPA and USOPC success. To ensure you are in the most current Team USA alumni database, please add or update pertinent information by clicking here. If you know any other alumni, please ask them to do the same. Please remember without YOU there is no US.
Let us move forward together with purpose, vision, and unmeasurable dedication.
Jackie Washington
USOPA Annual Meeting
During the 2024 USOPA annual meeting, our USOPA leadership gathered for three consecutive days of collaborative discussions where the outgoing Executive Committee "passed the torch" to the incoming Executive Committee.
We are excited to welcome our newly elected group of leaders who will continue the good work of their predecessors to advance the reach of our Olympic and Paralympic alumni.
USOPA leadership passes the torch to the 2025 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Sharon
John
Bill Schuffenhauer
Jackie
Jesse
Rory
STAY CONNECTED
From providing valued services and support to networking with established alumni and beyond - We are here for you! Update your contact information and stay in the know of all things USOPA.
UPDATE YOUR INFO
DFW USOPA CHAPTER SHOUT OUT!
“Our DFW Chapter remains proud to help local Olympians and Paralympians with fundraising efforts over the last two decades! After 15+ golf tournaments, we have donated almost $100K to dozens of worthy ParaAthletes, including seven that competed in the Paris Games! We’re transitioning from golf tournaments to pickleball tournaments and look forward to continuing our efforts in 2025 and beyond!” - DFW USOPA Chapter President, Sammy Walker.
2024 DOROTHY FRANEY LANGKOP AMBASSADOR AWARD
WINNER: JACKIE WASHINGTON
The DFL Ambassador Award was established by the United States Olympians & Paralympians Association to recognize an individual with a U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Chapter that demonstrates the special spirit of Olympism and has illustrated the Olympic & Paralympic Ideals through their actions or have rendered outstanding services to the Olympic & Paralympic cause.
THE PODIUM
Welcome to The Podium, a quarterly spotlight of life updates, career or personal milestones, and more from USOPA members across the country. This is our opportunity to stay connected with fellow alumni who choose to take The Podium and give us an inside look at their lives!
Edwin Moses
Track & Field, 1976, ‘80, ‘84, ‘88
The story of Edwin Moses hits the big screen!
Click here to read more.
Jeff Pagels
Para Skiing, 1992, ‘94
Jeff’s story, Always Climb Higher, has been published on Amazon and is available in printable and listening mediums. The book can also be obtained through the Library of Congress Visually Impaired Program. Congratulations, Jeff!
arol Brown
owing, 1976, ‘80, ‘84
hree weeks cycling nd trekking in the ngdom of Bhutanhe Happiest Place in e World! Had so uch fun cycling up passes to 14,000 with 30 mile descents, as well as trekking and camping above 13,000 with Yak herders and spectacular Himalayan views
Bobby Aldighieri
Ski & Snowboard, 1992
I continue to do various ski technique videos with my friend and fellow Olympian, Deb Armstrong. Click here to watch our most recent video.
Michael Theimer Shooting, 1976
I am coaching the first-ever varsity Rifle Team at Merit Academy Public Charter School in Woodland Park, Colorado
The team competed in their first sanctioned Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) competition on Dec. 11 at Fountain - Ft Carson High School against 50 threeposition sporter air rifle (3PAR) teams. We placed 25th out of 50 3PAR teams – an amazing accomplishment for a first-ever Rifle Team competing in their first-ever competition.
Elliott Denman
Track & Field, 1956
Congratulations to Elliot for being honored with the Bob Hersh Memorial Award, presented by the Track & Field Writers of America.
"I am incredibly honored to receive the Bob Hersh Memorial Award for my lifetime dedication and service to the sport of track and field," reports Elliott Denman.
Denman, who placed 11th in the 50K (31 1-mile) racewalk, the longest event on the Olympic program, at the 1956 Melbourne Games, has served his sport in many ways - as writer/columnist for the Asbury Park Press and many other publications for over six decades, Track Writers Association past president, founder of the "new" Shore Athletic Club track and field team, a national and international official, USA national team leader, founder and director of numerous track, road running and racewalking over the years, and more Now 90, the West Long Branch, NJ resident remains active in all these activities and will recently hosted a "90's Gala" honoring many notables of the sport, on November 24, 2024, in Long Branch, NJ
AWARD RECOGNITIONS
John McArdle
Track & Field, 1980
Congratulations to Independence Mayor and Olympian, John McArdle, for being awarded the Mark O Hatfield Statesmanship Award!
Honored for his lasting benefits to the quality of life for Oregon citizens, John is one of the longest-tenured mayors in Oregon. He is a selfless leader who convenes, leads challenging conversations, and generates momentum for achieving goals. Throughout his 26 years leading Independence, Mayor McArdle has advocated for community-led initiatives, which include broad vision plans and citizen guidance.
Mary Mazzio & Grant Hill
Rowing, 1992 & Basketball, 1996
Congratulations to Mary Mazzio and Grant Hill on the production of their film, BAD RIVER, which was nominated for three Critic Choice Awards and featured in The New Yorker’s crossword puzzle!
BAD RIVER is a new documentary film which chronicles the Wisconsin-based Bad River Band and its ongoing fight for sovereignty, devastating losses, and a powerful legacy of defiance and resilience, which includes a David vs. Goliath battle to save Lake Superior, the largest freshwater resource in America.
2002 U.S. Sled Hockey Team
The 2002 Sled Hockey Team was honored by USA Hockey as a 2024 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee – a feat that recognizes not only the first U.S. squad to win gold in the Paralympic Winter Games, but also their impact on shifting attitudes towards disabilities and paving the way for the development of the country’s successful Para Ice Hockey Program.
The 2002 U.S. Sled Hockey Team’s historic achievements were celebrated at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame’s 52nd Induction Celebration in Pittsburg on Wednesday, Dec. 4. The team’s induction into the Hall of Fame makes them the first Para Ice Hockey Team to join the Hall of Fame, which was established in 1973 recognizing extraordinary contributions of players, coaches, administrators, officials and teams. Click here to read more.
Greg Bell Track & Field, 1956
After recently celebrating his 94th birthday on November 7, Dr. Greg Bell learned that he was selected to the Indiana Sports Hall of Fame - his fifth such honor to a Hall of Fame. Other Halls of Fame that have previously honored Greg include Indiana University, USA Track & Field, Indiana Track & Field and Cross Country, and the Penn Relays Carnival. Greg was the premier Long Jumper in the world in the mid 1950's before going on to earn his Doctorate in Dentistry at Indiana University.
Congrats to Dr. Greg Bell on his many accomplishments, and to Cindy Stinger for submitting an alumni spotlight on his behalf!
HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS
Rick Abrahamson andball, 1972, ‘76
port Oregon unveiled its esteemed 2024 class of ductees into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame, which cluded Olympian Rick Abrahamson. Rick and his ellow inductees were honored on October 29 at the ight of Champions. Congratulations to Rick!
Summer Sanders Swimming, 1992
Check out this interview of former NBA Inside Stuff hosts, including Olympian Summer Sanders, discussing the iconic series being inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Inducted into the Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Curt Gowdy Transformative Media Award, the show and its team were honored for their innovative use of media to revolutionize how fans understood and enjoyed basketball. Congratulations to Summer and the NBA Inside Stuff crew!
Cullen Jones
Swimming, 2008, ‘12
Known as one of those most influential swimmers of the 21st century, Cullen Jones was recently announced as an inductee to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame class of 2025.
Breaking barriers in the swimming community, Jones become the first African American swimmer to ever hold a world record as part of Team USA’s 4x100 meter freestyle team.
Step up to The Podium and share your life updates, career milestones, and more with our USOPA community. Submissions will be featured on the Team USA alumni website and in the USOPA quarterly newsletter.
U.S. OLYMPIANS SHINE ON
DANCING WITH THE STARS
en Nedoroscik shine in Dancing with
Fresh off their recent Olympic successes at Paris 2024, Olympic bronze medalists Ilona Maher and Stephen Nedoroscik traded their Team USA uniforms for dance shoes, jiving, waltzing and kick ball-changing their way to the Dancing with the Stars finale - and they did not disappoint!
In the finale, rugby star and social media phenomenon Maher lit up the stage alongside pro partner Alan Bersten with a fiery freestyle to “Femininomenon.” Her energy, charisma, and signature humor shone as brightly as her sequins, carrying her to a runner-up finish in the season finale. Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson won the finale to take home the coveted Mirrorball trophy
Meanwhile, Nedoroscik, Team USA’s pommel horse virtuoso, wowed audiences audiences with a moving and gymnastics-inspired freestyle to Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida," earning them a perfect score to finish fourth in the series finale. Paired with Rylee Arnold, his redemption quickstep to “I’ll Be There for You” ended the season on a friendly note while showcasing ballroom class
The finale also featured stunning performances by the pros, celebrity reunions, and special appearances from reigning champions Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy. Highlights included Derek Hough and Mark Ballas’ tango duet and the high-energy DWTS LIVE 2025 Tour preview
As the Olympic and ballroom seasons come to a close, the world waits to see what Ilona and Stephen will do next. Maybe a cha-cha in the next big competition, or perhaps some welldeserved rest. With these two, anything is possible. Click here to read more.
Fans can rewatch Ilona and Stephen’s performances on the Dancing with the Stars YouTube channel or on Hulu.
ATHLETE SUMMIT 2024
This year’s Team USA Athlete Summit welcomed our Paris 2024 Olympians and Paralympians to a one-day conference style experience to engage in professional development and learn more about the resources available to them through the USOPC and our partners and sponsors The Summit took place as part of the DC Week celebration where Paris 2024 Olympians and Paralympians had the opportunity to visit The White House. The goals of the Summit were for athletes to feel connected to each other and the Team USA community, informed of the resources they have access to, and supported regardless of what stage they are at in their athletic journey. During the Summit, our alumni relations staff hosted a networking session and a dinner that officially welcomed our Paris athletes to the USOPA community.
TICKETS ON SALE SOON!
SECURE YOUR TICKET
Don’t miss out on your early access to tickets. Register by January 15!
ON THE ROAD TO SLC 2034 - IOC PRESIDENT VISITS HOST OF THE OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES 2034
Two months after the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2034 were awarded to Salt Lake City-Utah by the 142nd IOC Session in Paris, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach visited Salt Lake City and the State of Utah. He returned 22 years after the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2002.
During his two-day stay he met the Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 team led by its President and CEO Fraser Bullock, their many supporters from the private sector and officials from the city and the state. Bach was accompanied by IOC Member and USOPC President Gene Sykes. He was greeted on arrival by Bullock, Board Chair of Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 Catherine Raney Norman, and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall.
Click here to read more.
AMERICA’S ATHLETES. YOUR MUSEUM.
As Olympic and Paralympic alumni, you are the reason this Museum exists a living tribute to the legacy you’ve created through dedication, perseverance, and excellence.
Your stories are the heartbeat of the Museum. Every exhibit, every artifact, and every visitor’s experience reflects the values you embody and the inspiration you continue to provide. You are the foundation of this extraordinary place, and it’s your legacy that makes the Museum vibrant, meaningful, and timeless.
Thank you for being the driving force behind it all. It’s our honor to celebrate your achievements and share your stories with the world.
As Olympic and Paralympic alumni, you receive complimentary admission! Explore the incredible legacy of Team USA through guided tours, live artifact demonstrations, and engaging events designed to bring history to life. Have questions or want to connect? Reach out to us at athletes@usopm.org for more information.
IOC PRESIDENT THOMAS BACH VISITS THE USOPM
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum had the honor of hosting International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach on September 26 during his visit to Colorado Springs, known as Olympic City USA. President Bach toured the Museum’s immersive exhibits, which celebrate the achievements and stories of Team USA athletes. Bach's visit underscored the museum's role in connecting the public to the Olympic legacy and its unique location in a city with such a rich sports history
YOUTH SPORTS DAY: A CELEBRATION OF THE NEXT GENERATION
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum welcomed nine youth sports organizations for an inspiring day of celebration and connection, encouraging kids to discover the power of sports. Olympians and Paralympians, including Jenny Arthur, Tyler Carter, Omari Jones, and Kara Winger shared their journeys and encouraged young athletes to dream big. This special, free day was made possible by the Daniels Fund.
ONCE AN OLYMPIAN OR PARALYMPIAN, ALWAYS AN OLYMPIAN OR PARALYMPIAN.
REMEMBERING FELLOW USOPA MEMBERS
Keith“Casey”Converse|Swimming,1976 August8,2024
DavidRomansky|Track&Field,1968 October31,2024
DallasLong|Track&Field,1960,‘64 November10,2024
BelaKarolyi|Gymnastics,1992(Coach) November15,2024
RonaldO’Brien|Diving,1968,‘72,‘80,‘84,‘88,‘92, ‘96(Coach) November19,2024
RosieBondsKreidler|Track&Field,1960 November22,2024
SusanPittAnderson|Swimming,1964 November22,2024
PeterWestbrook|Fencing,1976,‘80,‘84,‘88,‘92,‘96 November29,2024
ArnoldUhrlass|Speedskating,1960;Cycling,1964 December17,2024
JeffreyCheckes|Fencing,1968 December25,2024
LeonardLilyholm|IceHockey,1968 December28,2024
Celebrating 100 Years of Winter Sports History
In 2024, we celebrated a remarkable milestone in the Olympic Movement the 100th anniversary of the 1924 Paris Olympic Games. As we commemorated the return of the Games to Paris, we witnessed extraordinary athletic performances and the thrill of live crowds filling sold-out stadiums for the first time since 2018 Yet, this centenary is not the only significant occasion worth noting; 2024 also marked the 100th anniversary of the inaugural Olympic Winter Games, held in Chamonix, France, from January 26 to February 5.
The 1924 Olympic Winter Games, originally called "Winter Sports Week," were conceived as a demonstration event for winter sports to complement the traditional Summer Olympic Games. Recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and retroactively designated as the first official Olympic Winter Games, Chamonix h924 was a t 1924 was a turning point in the history of winter sports competitions Though it was a modest affair compared to today's spectacles, the eleven-day multi-sport event set the stage for the future of winter sports and the development of the Olympic Winter Games
The 1924 Games featured 258 athletes from 16 countries, competing across 16 events in nine different disciplines. These events included skiing, ice hockey, figure skating, bobsleigh, and speed skating. The Games were held at three venues in the French Alps, and despite the relatively simple opening ceremony, the competition was intense, showcasing a level of athleticism that would evolve and grow in significance over the coming decades.
Remarkable Performances
One of the most memorable moments came when Charles Jewtraw of Lake Placid, New York, became the first Winter Olympic gold medalist, winning the men's 500-meter speed skating competition Jewtraw’s unexpected victory over Norway’s Oakar Olsen and Roald Larsen who tied for third helped set the tone for the future of winter sports at the Olympics and increased the popularity of speed skating.
Olsen and Larsen’s homeland, Norway, dominated the medal tally in Chamonix. The Norwegian team secured 17 medals, including four golds, highlighting their supremacy in cross-country skiing and speed skating. Meanwhile, the Canadian ice hockey team delivered a performance for the ages, scoring a remarkable 122 goals and conceding only three throughout the tournament. Canada successfully established itself as a powerhouse in the sport and to date has won 22 medals in ice hockey, 13 of which are gold
Among the most intriguing stories of the 1924 Winter Games was the appearance of a young Sonja Henie, who competed in women’s figure skating at just 11 years old. Although Henie did not medal in Cha medal Chamonix, she would go on to become one of the most decorated figure skaters in Olympic history, winning three consecutive gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936. Henie’s early appearance in Chamonix showcased the potential for the Winter Olympics to foster young talent and develop future stars.
The most decorated athlete of the Games was Finland’s Clas Thunberg, who won a total of five medals in speed skating, including three golds. His achievement solidified his place as one of the sport’s greatest athletes, and Thunberg’s dominance in Chamonix was a precursor to the extraordinary depth and skill that would define future Olympic speed skating competitions
Evolution of the Olympic Winter Games: Gender Equality and Inclusivity
The 1924 Winter Games were notable for the limited participation of women, with female athletes accounting for just 4.3% of the competitors. Women were only allowed to compete in figure skating, and the gender imbalance was stark. However, the representation of women in the Winter Olympics has made tremendous strides. At the upcoming 2026 Games, it is expected that nearly 47% of the athletes will be female, just 3% short of the goal of complete gender parity.
This progress reflects the broader inclusivity of the Olympic Games While the 1924 Games were primarily an all-male affair with limited representation from many countries, today’s Winter Olympics are more diverse and inclusive, with athletes from all over the world, representing a wide range of nations and backgrounds, competing on equal footing. In addition to the progress made toward gender equality, the development of the Paralympic Winter Games has been a pivotal step in advancing the Olympic Movement's commitment to inclusivity. First held in 1976 in Östersund, Sweden, the Paralympic Winter Games have provided athletes with disabilities a global platform to showcase their incredible talents and compete at the highest level. Over the years, the number of events and athletes participating in the Paralympic Winter Games has grown significantly, reflecting a wider societal shift toward accessibility and inclusion.
Alongside near gender parity and the inclusion of the Paralympic Winter Games, the upcoming Winter Olympics will feature 116 medal events across 16 disciplines, with ski mountaineering making its Olympic debut. Ski mountaineering is linked to the 1924 event of military patrol, which evolved into the modern biathlon While ski mountaineering does not involve shooting, it does require athletes to ski both up and down mountains, in a challenging cross between alpine and cross-country skiing
Technological Advances and Safety Improvements
Technology has played a significant role in shaping the Winter Olympics over the past century. The 1924 Games were held in natural, outdoor venues with minimal safety measures. Athletes competed in high-risk events such as bobsledding and ice hockey without the protective gear that is standard today. Speed skaters, bobsledders, and hockey players all competed with far fewer safeguards than athletes enjoy in today’s competitions, where modern materials and technologies such as synthetic ice, advanced helmets, and body armor help ensure their safety.
The advent of television and, later, streaming services, has completely transformed how fans experience the Winter Olympics. In 1924, the Games were largely accessible only to those who could attend in person or read about them in the newspapers. Today, fans around the world can watch the Games live through various digital platforms, connecting with athletes and the global Olympic community in real time This accessibility has expanded the reach and impact of the Winter Games, creating an international fanbase and growing the Olympic Movement’s global influence.
A Legacy for the Future
As we celebrate 100 years of Winter Olympic history, we honor not only the achievements of athletes from the Chamonix Games but also the legacy they have left behind. The inaugural Winter Olympics laid the groundwork for the growth and development of winter sports, and its impact is still felt today From the early triumphs of athletes like Charles Jewtraw and Clas Thunberg to the breakthroughs in gender equality and the introduction of new events like ski mountaineering, the evolution of the Winter Games has been both profound and inspiring.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics and beyond the legacy of the 1924 Winter Games will continue to inspire future generations of athletes. The Olympic Movement remains a powerful symbol of unity, competition, and the ability of sports to bring people together, transcending national borders and cultural differences As we celebrate this centenary, we not only honor the past but also look forward to the next 100 years of Winter Olympic excellence.
The Olympians & Paralympians Relief Fund is dedicated to providing charitable assistance to Olympians & Paralympians who are experiencing difficulty due to a recent accident, illness, injury or natural disaster. If you know of anyone who might qualify, or if you are interested in donating, please visit www.opr.fund to learn more.
January 2025 Issue
Editorial Staff
Production
Director
Morgan Palmer
Chief Editor
Christine Taylor