USA Wrestling and USOC honor U.S. Ambassador to China Clark T. Randt
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by Gary Abbott
USOC CEO Jim Scherr presents an honorary award to U.S. Ambassador to China Clark T. Randt. Gary Abbott photo
BEIJING, CHINA - In a special reception held at the USA House, USA Wrestling and the U.S. Olympic Committee honored the U.S. Ambassador to China, Clark T. Randt, on Monday evening.
The evening was a celebration of the Olympic relationship between China and the United States and was held on the night before the start of the freestyle wrestling competition at the Beijing Olympic Games. Numerous dignitaries from the wrestling community, the U.S. Olympic family and the U.S. diplomatic corps attended the function.
Included among the wrestling stars attending were 2000 Olympic champion and 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Rulon Gardner, 1992 Olympic silver medalist Zeke Jones, 2004 Olympic silver medalist Jamill Kelly and a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team Andy Hrovat.
A Fuel the Dream video was played for all in attendance, including numerous clips of Rulon Gardner and Cael Sanderson in action, as well as information on USA Wrestling programs and activities.
David W. Heleniak, the Vice Chairman of Morgan Stanley and one of the pioneers that brought the private business community to China, served as the emcee for the formal portion of the evening. He welcomed all the guests on behalf of USA Wrestling President Jim Ravannack and Executive Director Rich Bender.
Heleniak gave a sketch of Randt's successful career, who has said has "done magnificently" as the U.S. Ambassador to China. He noted that Randt has held his position longer than anyone else has done in the post.
"We are fortunate to have a man of great authority and knowledge," said Heleniak. "He has the most important ambassadorship in the world."
Jim Scherr, the CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee and a 1988 Olympic freestyle wrestler, presented the honorary award to Randt on behalf of the USOC.
"He is a great American. He has given service not only to our country but also to the U.S. Olympic Committee. He and his office have been faithful to the U.S. Olympic Committee," said Scherr.
Scherr said that there are three institutions in his life that he cherishes: the sport of wrestling, the great country of the United States and the Olympic movement.
"The United States stands for excellence, freedom and the right to self determination," said Scherr.
Randt gave a stirring speech, speaking not only of his service to the government but also about the Olympic movement and the wrestling community.
"I am the luckiest person in the world," said Randt. "It is better to be lucky than to be good. I have the best job in the U.S. government. It has been a lot of fun and I have had a lot of help."
He talked about the historical time of change in China, a nation of 1.3 billion people. He congratulated China for its stunning effort in staging the Olympic Games, including "it's fantastic venues and athletic success."
Randt also made special mention of USA Wrestling and the sport of wrestling.
"We are here to honor USA Wrestling. I congratulate Adam Wheeler and Randi Miller for their bronze medal victories, and wish Andy Hrovat and the entire freestyle team success in the upcoming week," said Randt.
"USA Wrestling epitomizes the best of what makes our country great," he continued. "You make me proud to be an American."
BEIJING, CHINA - In a special reception held at the USA House, USA Wrestling and the U.S. Olympic Committee honored the U.S. Ambassador to China, Clark T. Randt, on Monday evening.
The evening was a celebration of the Olympic relationship between China and the United States and was held on the night before the start of the freestyle wrestling competition at the Beijing Olympic Games. Numerous dignitaries from the wrestling community, the U.S. Olympic family and the U.S. diplomatic corps attended the function.
Included among the wrestling stars attending were 2000 Olympic champion and 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Rulon Gardner, 1992 Olympic silver medalist Zeke Jones, 2004 Olympic silver medalist Jamill Kelly and a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team Andy Hrovat.
A Fuel the Dream video was played for all in attendance, including numerous clips of Rulon Gardner and Cael Sanderson in action, as well as information on USA Wrestling programs and activities.
David W. Heleniak, the Vice Chairman of Morgan Stanley and one of the pioneers that brought the private business community to China, served as the emcee for the formal portion of the evening. He welcomed all the guests on behalf of USA Wrestling President Jim Ravannack and Executive Director Rich Bender.
Heleniak gave a sketch of Randt's successful career, who has said has "done magnificently" as the U.S. Ambassador to China. He noted that Randt has held his position longer than anyone else has done in the post.
"We are fortunate to have a man of great authority and knowledge," said Heleniak. "He has the most important ambassadorship in the world."
Jim Scherr, the CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee and a 1988 Olympic freestyle wrestler, presented the honorary award to Randt on behalf of the USOC.
"He is a great American. He has given service not only to our country but also to the U.S. Olympic Committee. He and his office have been faithful to the U.S. Olympic Committee," said Scherr.
Scherr said that there are three institutions in his life that he cherishes: the sport of wrestling, the great country of the United States and the Olympic movement.
"The United States stands for excellence, freedom and the right to self determination," said Scherr.
Randt gave a stirring speech, speaking not only of his service to the government but also about the Olympic movement and the wrestling community.
"I am the luckiest person in the world," said Randt. "It is better to be lucky than to be good. I have the best job in the U.S. government. It has been a lot of fun and I have had a lot of help."
He talked about the historical time of change in China, a nation of 1.3 billion people. He congratulated China for its stunning effort in staging the Olympic Games, including "it's fantastic venues and athletic success."
Randt also made special mention of USA Wrestling and the sport of wrestling.
"We are here to honor USA Wrestling. I congratulate Adam Wheeler and Randi Miller for their bronze medal victories, and wish Andy Hrovat and the entire freestyle team success in the upcoming week," said Randt.
"USA Wrestling epitomizes the best of what makes our country great," he continued. "You make me proud to be an American."
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