REMINDER: Vote for Blatnick, Baumgartner, Smith, Mastro to U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame; Deadline is this Friday!!!
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U.S. Olympic Committee Names 2008 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Finalists
Online Voting to Select the 2008 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class Is Underway
THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 28, IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE VOTING
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The United States Olympic Committee has announced the finalists for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2008 and invites the public to vote online to help determine who will comprise the next class of inductees.
Among the nominees among individual Olympians for the Hall of Fame are three wrestlers: 1984 Olympic Greco-Roman champion Jeff Blatnick, 1984 and 1992 Olympic freestyle champion Bruce Baumgartner and 1988 and 1992 Olympic freestyle champion John Smith.
In addition, one of the nominees among paralympians, Jim Mastro, also participated in wrestling, along with judo, track & field and goalball.
Fans can vote on the nominees at:
www.usolympichalloffame.com
Six individual Olympians, one Olympic team and one Paralympian, along with a coach, a veteran and a special contributor, will be honored during the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Presented by Allstate. The awards-show style ceremony will take place at 7:00 p.m. on June 19 at the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater in Chicago, Ill. Additionally, a nationally-televised special will enable sports fans across the United States to re-live the moments that catapulted the Class of 2008 inductees to U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame status. Additional information regarding the telecast of the induction ceremony will be released at a later date.
Dan Gable, a 1972 Olympic freestyle champion, and also a U.S. Olympic Team Coach, is the only wrestler currently inducted in the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
Envisioned as a lasting tribute to the pursuit of excellence and the Olympic ideals, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame was established to celebrate the achievements of America's premier athletes in the modern Olympic Games.
"The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is a celebration of the unique spirit and heritage of the Olympic movement in America," said USOC Chief Executive Officer Jim Scherr. "We appreciate the support of Allstate Insurance Company for their continued support of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and their commitment to honoring the accomplishments of America's Olympic greats and, in doing so, preserving the Olympic ideals."
In 2008, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame induction ceremony will once again be held in Chicago where the charter class was enshrined in 1983, with such Olympic legends as Bob Beamon, Cassius Clay, Peggy Fleming, Al Oerter, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, Mark Spitz, Jim Thorpe and the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" Hockey Team. Annual additions continued through 1992, adding Olympic legends such as Bart Conner, Donna de Varona, Dorothy Hamill, "Sugar Ray" Leonard, Carl Lewis, Greg Louganis, Phil Mahre, Debbie Meyer, John Naber and Mary Lou Retton. Corporate support from presenting sponsor Allstate sparked the Hall's revitalization in 2004. The Hall of Fame consists of 192 Distinguished Members, including 84 athletes from individual sports, seven teams and 12 special contributors.
"Allstate is committed to celebrating and protecting the heritage and tradition of our U.S. Olympians and Paralympians," said Lisa Cochrane, vice president of marketing at Allstate. "Our partnership with the USOC and our sponsorship of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame is a perfect way for us to honor the legacies of our country's greatest athletes, while supporting today's Olympians and Paralympians as they strive to deliver the next memorable performances in Beijing, and in future Games."
The Class of 2008 finalists in the individual sport/event, team and Paralympic categories were selected by a nominating committee consisting of athletes, members of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, historians and USOC representatives. The committee also selected the individuals to be honored in the coach, veteran and special contributor categories. Their names will be announced with the other inductees.
Public voting at usolympichalloffame.com continues through Friday, March 28. Brief biographies of each of the finalists are attached.
In addition to Allstate's role as presenting sponsor for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, AT&T and Kleenex will serve as supporting sponsors for the event.
U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2008 Finalists
Individual Finalists - Six (6) to be inducted
Greg Barton, Canoe/Kayak
Bruce Baumgartner, Wrestling, freestyle
Joan Benoit, Track & Field
Jeff Blatnick, Wrestling
Brian Boitano, Figure Skating
Valerie Brisco, Track & Field
Oscar de la Hoya, Boxing
Teresa Edwards, Basketball
Karch Kiraly, Volleyball
Mary T. Meagher, Swimming
Sheila Young Ochowicz, Speedskating
Darrell Pace, Archery
J. Michael Plumb, Equestrian
David Robinson, Basketball
John Smith, Wrestling
Amy Van Dyken, Swimming
Peter Westbrook, Fencing
Lones Wigger, Shooting
Teams - One (1) to be inducted
1976 Women's Swimming 4x100 Freestyle Relay
1992 Men's Basketball Team
1996 Synchronized Swimming Team
1996 Women's Gymnastics Team
1998 Women's Ice Hockey Team
Paralympians - One (1) to be inducted
Ross Davis, Track & Field
Jean Driscoll, Track & Field
Sharon Hedrick, Track & Field
Jim Mastro, Judo/Wrestling/Track & Field/Goalball
John Morgan, Swimming
BIOGRAPHIES OF WRESTLING NOMINEES
Individual category
Jeff Blatnick
Greco-Roman Wrestling
1980 U.S. Olympic Team member, 130 kg (not able to compete due to U.S. boycott)
1984 Gold Medal, Freestyle, 130 kg
Career:
- Became only the second U.S. Greco-Roman wrestler to win an Olympic gold medal, joining teammate Steve Fraser as champions at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.
- Overcame Hodgkins Disease, a form of cancer, to make the 1984 Olympic Team and go on to capture the gold medal.
Bruce Baumgartner
Freestyle Wrestling
1984 Gold Medal, Freestyle, 130 kg
1988 Silver Medal, Freestyle, 130 kG
1992 Gold Medal, Freestyle, 130 kg
1996 Bronze Medal, Freestyle 130 kg
1996 U.S. flagbearer for the Opening Ceremonies
Career:
- One of only two U.S. wrestlers to qualify for four Olympic Teams, along with Greco-Roman wrestler Mark Fuller
- The only U.S. wrestler with four career Olympic medals.
- One of only three U.S. wrestlers to win two career Olympic gold medals
- The first wrestler honored as winner of the AAU James E. Sullivan Award as the nation's top amateur athlete.
- Won every major event in international wrestling, including Pan American Games, World Cup, Goodwill Games and World Grand Championships
John Smith, Stillwater, Okla.
Freestyle wrestling
1988 Gold Medal, Freestyle 62 kg
1992 Gold Medal, Freestyle 62 kg
2000 U.S. Olympic Team Coach, men's freestyle
Career:
- One of only three U.S. wrestlers to win two career Olympic golds in wrestling
- Went six straight years as World or Olympic champion, adding World gold medals in 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1991
- Won every major event in international wrestling, including Pan American Games, World Cup, Goodwill Games and World Grand Championships
- Coached 2000 Olympic freestyle team to four medals, including gold medalist Brandon Slay.
- Captured all the major awards for amateur athletes including the USOC SportsMan of the Year and the AAU Sullivan Award, as well as the World Trophy and the FILA International Wrestler of the Year
Paralympic Category
Jim Mastro
Wrestling/Judo/Track and Field/Goalball
Career:
- Mastro, who lost his vision while in high school, has competed in seven Paralympics, in several sports, since 1976.
- The first Paralympic athlete ever to medal in four different sports - Judo, Wrestling, Track and Field, and Goalball
- Mastro has earned 10 medals including five gold, three silver, and two bronze. He has earned also 17 international medals in the various sports.
- In 1996, Mastro was elected flag bearer for the U.S. Paralympic team.
- College wrestler at Augsburg College, where he is inducted in their athletic Hall of Fame
- Member of 1973 World University Games Greco-Roman team
- 2008 Medal of Courage winner from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Online Voting to Select the 2008 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class Is Underway
THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 28, IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE VOTING
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The United States Olympic Committee has announced the finalists for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2008 and invites the public to vote online to help determine who will comprise the next class of inductees.
Among the nominees among individual Olympians for the Hall of Fame are three wrestlers: 1984 Olympic Greco-Roman champion Jeff Blatnick, 1984 and 1992 Olympic freestyle champion Bruce Baumgartner and 1988 and 1992 Olympic freestyle champion John Smith.
In addition, one of the nominees among paralympians, Jim Mastro, also participated in wrestling, along with judo, track & field and goalball.
Fans can vote on the nominees at:
www.usolympichalloffame.com
Six individual Olympians, one Olympic team and one Paralympian, along with a coach, a veteran and a special contributor, will be honored during the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Presented by Allstate. The awards-show style ceremony will take place at 7:00 p.m. on June 19 at the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater in Chicago, Ill. Additionally, a nationally-televised special will enable sports fans across the United States to re-live the moments that catapulted the Class of 2008 inductees to U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame status. Additional information regarding the telecast of the induction ceremony will be released at a later date.
Dan Gable, a 1972 Olympic freestyle champion, and also a U.S. Olympic Team Coach, is the only wrestler currently inducted in the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
Envisioned as a lasting tribute to the pursuit of excellence and the Olympic ideals, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame was established to celebrate the achievements of America's premier athletes in the modern Olympic Games.
"The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is a celebration of the unique spirit and heritage of the Olympic movement in America," said USOC Chief Executive Officer Jim Scherr. "We appreciate the support of Allstate Insurance Company for their continued support of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and their commitment to honoring the accomplishments of America's Olympic greats and, in doing so, preserving the Olympic ideals."
In 2008, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame induction ceremony will once again be held in Chicago where the charter class was enshrined in 1983, with such Olympic legends as Bob Beamon, Cassius Clay, Peggy Fleming, Al Oerter, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, Mark Spitz, Jim Thorpe and the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" Hockey Team. Annual additions continued through 1992, adding Olympic legends such as Bart Conner, Donna de Varona, Dorothy Hamill, "Sugar Ray" Leonard, Carl Lewis, Greg Louganis, Phil Mahre, Debbie Meyer, John Naber and Mary Lou Retton. Corporate support from presenting sponsor Allstate sparked the Hall's revitalization in 2004. The Hall of Fame consists of 192 Distinguished Members, including 84 athletes from individual sports, seven teams and 12 special contributors.
"Allstate is committed to celebrating and protecting the heritage and tradition of our U.S. Olympians and Paralympians," said Lisa Cochrane, vice president of marketing at Allstate. "Our partnership with the USOC and our sponsorship of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame is a perfect way for us to honor the legacies of our country's greatest athletes, while supporting today's Olympians and Paralympians as they strive to deliver the next memorable performances in Beijing, and in future Games."
The Class of 2008 finalists in the individual sport/event, team and Paralympic categories were selected by a nominating committee consisting of athletes, members of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, historians and USOC representatives. The committee also selected the individuals to be honored in the coach, veteran and special contributor categories. Their names will be announced with the other inductees.
Public voting at usolympichalloffame.com continues through Friday, March 28. Brief biographies of each of the finalists are attached.
In addition to Allstate's role as presenting sponsor for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, AT&T and Kleenex will serve as supporting sponsors for the event.
U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2008 Finalists
Individual Finalists - Six (6) to be inducted
Greg Barton, Canoe/Kayak
Bruce Baumgartner, Wrestling, freestyle
Joan Benoit, Track & Field
Jeff Blatnick, Wrestling
Brian Boitano, Figure Skating
Valerie Brisco, Track & Field
Oscar de la Hoya, Boxing
Teresa Edwards, Basketball
Karch Kiraly, Volleyball
Mary T. Meagher, Swimming
Sheila Young Ochowicz, Speedskating
Darrell Pace, Archery
J. Michael Plumb, Equestrian
David Robinson, Basketball
John Smith, Wrestling
Amy Van Dyken, Swimming
Peter Westbrook, Fencing
Lones Wigger, Shooting
Teams - One (1) to be inducted
1976 Women's Swimming 4x100 Freestyle Relay
1992 Men's Basketball Team
1996 Synchronized Swimming Team
1996 Women's Gymnastics Team
1998 Women's Ice Hockey Team
Paralympians - One (1) to be inducted
Ross Davis, Track & Field
Jean Driscoll, Track & Field
Sharon Hedrick, Track & Field
Jim Mastro, Judo/Wrestling/Track & Field/Goalball
John Morgan, Swimming
BIOGRAPHIES OF WRESTLING NOMINEES
Individual category
Jeff Blatnick
Greco-Roman Wrestling
1980 U.S. Olympic Team member, 130 kg (not able to compete due to U.S. boycott)
1984 Gold Medal, Freestyle, 130 kg
Career:
- Became only the second U.S. Greco-Roman wrestler to win an Olympic gold medal, joining teammate Steve Fraser as champions at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.
- Overcame Hodgkins Disease, a form of cancer, to make the 1984 Olympic Team and go on to capture the gold medal.
Bruce Baumgartner
Freestyle Wrestling
1984 Gold Medal, Freestyle, 130 kg
1988 Silver Medal, Freestyle, 130 kG
1992 Gold Medal, Freestyle, 130 kg
1996 Bronze Medal, Freestyle 130 kg
1996 U.S. flagbearer for the Opening Ceremonies
Career:
- One of only two U.S. wrestlers to qualify for four Olympic Teams, along with Greco-Roman wrestler Mark Fuller
- The only U.S. wrestler with four career Olympic medals.
- One of only three U.S. wrestlers to win two career Olympic gold medals
- The first wrestler honored as winner of the AAU James E. Sullivan Award as the nation's top amateur athlete.
- Won every major event in international wrestling, including Pan American Games, World Cup, Goodwill Games and World Grand Championships
John Smith, Stillwater, Okla.
Freestyle wrestling
1988 Gold Medal, Freestyle 62 kg
1992 Gold Medal, Freestyle 62 kg
2000 U.S. Olympic Team Coach, men's freestyle
Career:
- One of only three U.S. wrestlers to win two career Olympic golds in wrestling
- Went six straight years as World or Olympic champion, adding World gold medals in 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1991
- Won every major event in international wrestling, including Pan American Games, World Cup, Goodwill Games and World Grand Championships
- Coached 2000 Olympic freestyle team to four medals, including gold medalist Brandon Slay.
- Captured all the major awards for amateur athletes including the USOC SportsMan of the Year and the AAU Sullivan Award, as well as the World Trophy and the FILA International Wrestler of the Year
Paralympic Category
Jim Mastro
Wrestling/Judo/Track and Field/Goalball
Career:
- Mastro, who lost his vision while in high school, has competed in seven Paralympics, in several sports, since 1976.
- The first Paralympic athlete ever to medal in four different sports - Judo, Wrestling, Track and Field, and Goalball
- Mastro has earned 10 medals including five gold, three silver, and two bronze. He has earned also 17 international medals in the various sports.
- In 1996, Mastro was elected flag bearer for the U.S. Paralympic team.
- College wrestler at Augsburg College, where he is inducted in their athletic Hall of Fame
- Member of 1973 World University Games Greco-Roman team
- 2008 Medal of Courage winner from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
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