WARM RECEPTION USA House opens its doors in downtown Vancouver
URBAN LEGENDS Allstate mural highlights U.S. Olympic success at USA House Pedestrians walking along Nelson Street in downtown Vancouver are getting a sneak preview of what promises to be a popular new feature of USA House. The curious who might look inside will see artist Tracy Lee Stum and assisting artists Charlene Landel and Tobie Roach putting the finishing touches on a chalk mural that in a picturesque way is bringing part of the United States Olympic past into these Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. It s called the Allstate Hall of Fame Tribute. A lifelike rendition of Dorothy Hamill, the gold medalist in women s figure skating in the 1976 Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck, has emerged while Stum and her crew bring images into focus of six other winter sport members of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. Urban street art is really popular right now, Stum said. Bringing kind of an urban street theme into this environment is very appropriate. I think a lot of young people will really connect with it. While the first segment is scheduled for an unveiling on Thursday, the work to complete the project will have just begun. The story of the past Olympians will unfold along with the schedule of the Vancouver Games. One Olympian from the Hall of Fame will be added each day until 19 are pictured. Dick Button, the gold medalist in men s figure skating in 1948 and 1952, will be the last subject when the mural is completed Feb. 26. Jerri Roush, managing director of USA House, has more new things to talk about than just an attention grabbing chalk mural. For the first time since the USA House concept was initiated in 2002, the USOC has two USA Houses, one in downtown Vancouver and another at the Whistler ski area in the mountains. I think both of our places are characteristic of their locations, said Roush, who along with a staff of 20, run the daily operation of USA House. In Vancouver, we went with a trendy approach. We were able to layout the space to meet our needs. In Whistler we took over a log home. It s warm and cozy and a comfortable environment. The places we chose are perfect for our houses. Roush knows the importance of an efficient USA House operation to the USOC s Olympic sponsors. It could be an office away from home. We call it the USA business and hospitality center because it s not all about hospitality, Roush said. We provide a wide range of services. It s kind of one stop for shopping, a restaurant, a business center and concierge services. But as a one-time field hockey player, she also has a place for the athletes on the 2010 U.S. Winter Olympic team. This is a place for our 2010 Olympic Team members, Roush said. It s open to them. If they win a medal, they can come here and celebrate with friends and family in a private environment. continued...
WELCOME The U. S. Olympic Committee welcomes you to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The Media Services staff, press officers and volunteers are available to support media outlets and the entire U.S. delegation, staff and U.S. Olympic family with information needs. Members of the media are invited to visit the USOC Media Servcies office in the Main Press Center in Vancouver and the Whistler Media Center - hubs for information and media support throughout the Games. Complete information on Team USA can also be found on the USOC media website, www.usocpressbox.org. VANCOUVER FORECAST HIGH/LOW Feb. 10 Showers 43/40 F Feb. 11 Rain 46/40 F Feb. 12 Showers 47/43 F WHISTLER FORECAST HIGH/LOW Feb. 10 Snow 35/32 F Feb. 11 Rain/Snow 39/36 F Feb. 12 Rain/Snow 41/36 F CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY February 10 Andrew Weibrecht, Alpine Skiing 24 QUOTEABLE For me school is waiting. You can go to college anytime you want; you can t go to the Olympics at 56. -- Anders Johnson, Ski Jumping THE TWEET SPOT Tweets from the U.S. Olympic Team Jeremy Abbott, Figure Skating I hope there are washing machines in the village because I m not going out into the snow to wash like 5 pairs of unmentionables! :P Erin Hamlin, Luge I am in LOVE with Ralph Lauren and Nike right now. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! On the Cover: USA House Vancouver Photos: Getty Images Roush doesn t tire of telling the story of Michael Phelps coming to USA House after he won his final medal in Beijing. He sat in a room by himself and ate a bowl of pasta, Roush said. We just left him alone. That s what he needed. He needed a moment by himself and I could appreciate that. Roush s own Olympic moment came in the Winter Games in Nagano. She was new to the USOC, but was given a team jacket to wear to the women s hockey gold medal game. The United States won the gold medal and Roush has worn the coat ever since. U.S. OLYMPIC HALL OF FAME LIVING ART UNVEIL Who: What: When: Where: Members of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Picabo Street and Dan Jansen U.S. Olympic Hall Of Fame Living Art Unveil Thursday, February 11 at 3:00 p.m. USA House 1022 Seymour Street (corner of Nelson) Vancouver, BC V6BZ1 The first phase of the Allstate Hall of Fame Tribute will be unveiled in downtown Vancouver. This piece of living art, created completely out of chalk, is a 3-D exhibit celebrating the Winter Olympians in the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. Created by world-renowned mural artist Tracy Lee Stum, the Tribute will be updated throughout the 17 days of the Games at USA House. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP to Kristin Adams, Taylor; kadams@ taylorpr.com; 604.789.7816 (wireless). ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL American Athletes will once again have the opportunity to choose one of their own to represent all active Olympic athletes via the IOC Athletes Commission. Angela Ruggiero, USA women s hockey defenseman, is one of nine nominees for two 2010 vacated Commission openings. I m in the middle of getting my masters at the University of Minnesota and I was a government major at Harvard. I felt like it was the perfect position for me and something I was really interested in and passionate about, Ruggiero said. This will be my fourth Olympics. Having that experience and using it somehow to better help the Olympic movement would be a huge honor. Formed in 1981, the role of the International Olympic Committee Athletes Commission is to ensure athlete interests are protected. The Commission, which meets once or twice a year, serves as a consultative body and is the link between active athletes and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Commission represents athletes within the Olympic Movement and also upholds the rights and obligations of the athletes. Members of the Athletes Commission are involved in the IOC s main commissions and working groups. The Chair of the Athletes Commission serves as a
member of the IOC Executive Board, and the Commission makes recommendations to the IOC s executive bodies. Voting will take place in the Olympic Villages in Vancouver and Whistler near the dinning halls. 2010 Olympic Athletes are asked to vote for two athletes from two different sports. The athletes are elected for a term of eight years and become IOC members during that period. Results will be announced on Feb. 24. Ruggiero is relying mostly on word of mouth to secure her place on the Commission. You can t really campaign much, but other Americans especially if they know people on other teams could spread the word that would be super helpful if they think I m a good candidate. I m going to get out there and try to talk to as many athletes as possible in all sports and all countries. Athletes can show their support for Angela in her campaign to represent the USA and all Olympic athletes by taking just a couple minutes to locate the kiosks in the Vancouver and Whistler Village dining halls, reading about the nine nominees and casting their vote. I m just really excited to be on the ballot and get the support of the Americans and hopefully some other countries that can covey what I can do for them. Ruggiero is a three-time Olympic medalist, four-time Olympian, World Champion and leader of the U.S. Women s Hockey Team. She currently holds the record for all-time leader in games played for Team USA. She played four years at Harvard University of ECAC Hockey where she graduated cum laude with a bachelor s degree in government in 2004. She is currently pursuing a master s degree in sports management at the University of Minnesota. More on Angela Ruggiero here. TAKING TIME FOR TOMORROW American short track speedskaters Katherine Reutter and Jordan Malone enjoy talking about their work outside the oval. Reutter, an Olympic newbie from Champaign, Ill., is always frugal with her Nike equipment sponsorship money. After she uses what she needs each year, Reutter donates the rest to shelters that supply winter coats and tennis shoes for the homeless. She also works with Right to Play, an organization that encourages sports participation in underdeveloped countries. They use [sports], in a way, to teach tolerance and gender equality and really good characteristics for every society to have, she said. Another skater making his Olympic debut in Vancouver, Malone takes time to coach both kids and adults in Park City, Utah. The Denton, Texas, native looks at teaching as a necessary duty. I m from the school of You have to be able to give it to keep it, he said. While the 45-minute commute between Park City and Malone s residence in Salt Lake City is not brief, the 25-year-old relishes the opportunity to escape the big city and see his sport through different eyes. When you have to teach something you really have to learn it from all different angles rather than just from a skater s point of view, Malone said. It doesn t just help them, I know that it helps me as well. Speedskaters Pat Meek and Katherine Reutter visited Primary Children s Medical Center in Salt Lake City in December with Team for Tomorrow. The community-focused attitudes and actions of the two speedskaters represent the spirit of Team for Tomorrow. The program, a joint effort between the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and America s Olympic and Paralympic participants, brings together athletes and the people around them to emphasize the Olympic Ideals of peace, understanding, tolerance and harmony. Through Team for Tomorrow, athletes have visited children s hospitals and atneeds schools while donating sports apparel and gear to communities in Afghanistan and Africa. Reutter took part in a heartbreaking hospital visit over the holidays to meet with young patients. She helped the kids take pictures and videos and learn to use Skype as a way to keep in touch with their families. It was really great to give them one more way to be close to home, she said. Following the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the program will give athletes a chance to participate in Habitat for Humanity projects in their respective hometowns. Nearly 30 Olympians and Paralympians donated service hours during the inaugural Olympic Build Day with Habitat for Humanity in 2008. continued...
Reutter is one of 13 Team for Tomorrow athlete ambassadors. The others are Tony Benshoof (Luge), John Benton (Curling), Caitlin Cahow (Ice Hockey), Rachael Flatt (Figure Skating), Haley Johnson (Biathlon), Taylor Lipsett (Sled Hockey), Steven Nyman (Alpine Skiing), Augusto Perez (Paralympic Curling), Stephani Victor (Paralympic Alpine Skiing), Noelle Pikus-Pace (Skeleton), Liz Stephen (Cross Country Skiing) and Curt Tomasevicz (Bobsled). REUNION CENTER OPENS Dick Fosbury, President of the World Olympians Association, and Charmaine Crooks, Vice President of the World Olympians Association, along with Founding Partner, Visa Inc., are pleased to invite you to celebrate the grand opening of the Olympians Reunion Center for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. With the support of IOC President, Jacques Rogge, and VANOC CEO, John Furlong, the center will be dedicated to the unique contributions that Olympians have made to sport and the Olympic Movement. The Olympians Reunion Center, co-founded by Visa and the World Olympians Association, welcomes Olympians from past Games. It provides them with a private venue where they can be reacquainted with old friends, make new ones and enjoy the sport events taking place. During the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the Olympians Reunion Center will be located in the historic Wing Sang Building in Vancouver s Chinatown. NEW TECHNOLOGY IN VANCOUVER As the giant OMEGA Countdown Clock in Vancouver continues its steady march to the Opening Ceremony on Feb. 12, OMEGA s professionals are completing final preparations for the competition where, for the 24th time, the Swiss specialists will serve as the Official Timekeepers at the Olympic Games. At the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, OMEGA has mobilized the largest timekeeping contingent in the history of winter sport which includes 250 tons of equipment, 218 professional timekeepers / data handlers, and 290 specially-selected and trained volunteers. OMEGA has been behind many of the most important technological developments in all of sports timekeeping and the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games feature a number of technological debuts, including: the OMEGA Electronic Start System, a new electronic starting pistol with a flash gun and sound generation box; the new Snowgate Starting Gate for alpine skiing;, the OMEGA Universal Tracking System, based on global positioning technology; radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder technology for ski and snowboard cross; a new Chronos device for alpine skiing; a new high-definition judges scoring system for figure skating; and a new high-definition video replay system for short track speed skating. Mr. Christophe Berthaud, President of Swiss Timing, will be available to media for interview during the Vancouver Games. Please contact Audra Silverman at audras@bzapr.com or Bernadette Odoms at bernadette.odoms@swatchgroup.com with any questions and / or requests. The Olympians Reunion Center will be open throughout the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Date: Time: 6:00-9:00 PM Venue: Olympians Reunion Center Wing Sang Heritage Building, Chinatown 51 E Pender St., Vancouver, Canada (Recommended Parking at EasyPark, at Keefer and Quebec Streets ) Dress: Smart Casual RSVP: ORCGala@fleishman.com Contact: Vanessa Carrington, Visa Command Center (778) 373-8550; VanessaC@sportsmark.com HOUSEWARMING PARTY From Feb. 12-28, the P&G Family Home will be THE place for Team USA to interact, reunite and celebrate with their families. Please join us at the P&G Family Home to celebrate the opening. Interview opportunities with Team USA members, their families and P&G executives will be available on-site. Address: 580 West Hastings Street Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6B 1L6 Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010 Time: 2:00 PM RSVP: PGFamilyHome@TaylorPR.com
VISITNG USA HOUSE The USA House in Vancouver will have a limited media services operation. Journalists interested in gaining access and/or setting up interviews at Vancouver USA House should request a media day pass 24 hours in advance by sending an email to USA- HouseMedia@usoc.org. The facility will have a small workroom and will provide some interview opportunities with U.S. athletes and officials. In addition, USA House will be an evening stop in the Managing Victory tour for U.S. medal-winning athletes. Due to size constraints, USA House in Whistler is not open to the press. USOC PRESSBOX Visit the USOC media website, www. usocpressbox.org, for up-to-date and daily coverage of Team USA. Available on the site: headshots of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team, releases, media annoucements, press conference transcripts, bios, athlete Tweets and more. THIS DAY IN HISTORY February 9, 1932, Lake Placid Local Lake Placid residents and brothers, J. Hubert and Curtis Stevens along with John Heaton and Robert Heaton became the U.S. first-ever, 2-man bobsled teams. The Curtis brothers would eventually overtake the favored Swiss team and capture gold. They attributed part of their success to the fact that they heated their runners with blowtorches for 25 minutes prior to hitting the snow, a tactic which at the time was considered unusual but acceptable. February 10, 1968, Grenoble Peggy Fleming captured gold in women s figure skating. She was the only U.S. gold medalist of the 1968 Games. Follow Team USA online at www.teamusa.org and on Twitter and Facebook. MEDIA ZONE PRESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULE VANCOUVER Date Sport Time Room February 10 Cross Country Skiing 09:00 Saturna February 10 Alpine Skiing - Women 10:00 Gabriola February 10 Snowboard SBX 12:00 Quadra February 10 Curling - Women 14:00 Quadra February 10 US Ski & Snowboard CEO 15:00 Gabriola February 10 Curling - Men 17:00 Quadra February 10 Freestyle Skiing - Aerials 19:00 Quadra February 11 Ice Hockey - Women 10:00 Gabriola February 11 USOC Flag Bearer/Delegation 12:00 Gabriola February 11 Skeleton 13:30 Quadra February 11 Bobsled - Men 14:00 Quadra February 11 Bobsled - Women 14:30 Quadra February 11 Snowboard - Halfpipe 15:30 Gabriola February 12 Figure Skating - Ice Dancing 12:00 Gabriola February 13 Figure Skating - Men 08:00 Gabriola February 13 Figure Skating - Women 12:00 Gabriola February 14 Ice Hockey - Men 16:00 Gabriola February 15 Ice Hockey - Men 16:00 Canada Hockey Place February 18 Ski Cross 13:00 Saturna February 27 USA Wrap-up 10:00 Gabriola WHISTLER February 10 Alpine Speed Men 16:30 Whistler Media Center February 11 Biathlon 15:30 Whistler Media Center (non-accredited) February 11 Luge Doubles 19:00 Whistler Media Center FLAG RAISING CEREMONY SET FOR FEBRUARY 11 Team USA will participate in the Village Flag Raising Ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 11. Scheduled to begin at 17:00, the ceremony will take place in the Olympic Village Plaza of the Athletes Village in Vancouver. Media entrance to the International Zone of the Village is limited to 200 individuals each day, and each media member must receive a Village media guest pass to enter. Media guest passes are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, and passes are good for a full day. The Village Press Office opens at 9 am. Media interested in attending the Flag Raising are encouraged to visit the Village Press Office in the morning to secure a guest pass for the day. REMEMBERING JIMMIE HEUGA Olympic medalist Jimmie Heuga, a star of the 1964 Olympic Winter Games and one of the U.S. Ski Team s greatest ski racers, died Monday, Feb. 8. His death came on the eve of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and 46 years to the day after his medal. Heuga, who captured bronze behind Billy Kidd s silver in the 1964 Olympic slalom, was 66. Heuga gained worldwide acclaim for his 1964 Olympic medal at just 20 years old. But his real mark on society came after he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and dedicated his life to research and innovative treatment of the disease.