Fall 2010 News

It's been ONE YEAR since the Host City decision for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Hats off once again to all the Olympians, Paralympians, coaches, elite athletes and hopefuls who contributed so much time and effort, along with Mayor Richard M. Daley, Chairman and CEO Patrick Ryan, the thousands of city, state and national officials, Committee members, business and community leaders, and Chicago 2016 staff and volunteers!

Congratulations as the U.S. Olympians Association Board of Directors overwhelmingly approved an amendment Friday, Sept. 24, to include Paralympians as part of its organizational membership and structure. The newly named U.S. Olympians and Paralympians enables U.S. Olympians and U.S. Paralympians to work side by side on initiatives that impact the larger Movement and educate athletes. The change also calls for the inclusion of a Paralympian vice president in addition to the current six vice presidents.

"There are two events, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but we are all one Team USA." said Willie Banks (athletics, 1980, 1984, 1988), president of the USOPA. "We are all athletes, and we are proud the organization will include both Olympians and Paralympians."

Applause to the Midwest Chapter of U.S. Olympians and Paralympians, which paved the way as the first chapter in the country to change By-laws to include Olympians and Paralympians in the same chapter.

"This announcement is formal recognition that athletes who wear the red, white and blue are forever part of something larger than themselves and their achievements on the field of play," Midwest Chapter Secretary Linda Mastandrea said. "It is an acknowledgement that the Paralympic athletes are an integral part of the Olympic Movement in our country, and that our Movement is that much stronger as a result."

More than two dozen Olympians, Paralympians and Sports Legends, and the Stanley Cup, attended the World Sport Chicago-hosted Beyond Sport Summit Sept. 29-30, along with other prestigious representatives of the Olympic Movement and Peace and Sport organizations, such as HRH Prince Faisal bin Al Hussein of Jordan, an International Olympic Committee member, and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson a five-time Paralympian and winner of 11 gold medals, four silvers and a bronze in athletics. The two-day conference of philanthropic efforts to promote peace through sport included a reception hosted by Mayor Richard M. Daley, at the United Center, the home of the Chicago Bulls and Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks. Find out more at: www.beyondsport.org/the-summit.  See bottom for a list of some of the athletes.

World Sport Chicago, along with several professional sports teams, hosted the first Family Sports Festival at the University of Chicago at the Midway Plaisance on Sept. 18. Thanks to: Steve Alley (hockey, 1976), five-time Paralympian and Beijing Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony flag bearer Jen Armbruster (goalball, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008), Shani Davis (speedskating, 2006, 2010), Nicholson, Morgan, Redding, Simpson-Bundy and Yeung for their support with a special nod to the Chicago Bulls, White Sox, Cubs, Fire, Red Stars and Sky for coming out for meet-and-greet appearances and clinics in a day of mostly pouring rain that still brought out 1,000 youth and their families.

The National Junior Disability Championships Opening Ceremonies held July 18 at Deerfield High School in Deerfield featured more than a dozen Paralympians and coaches who led athletes around the track in their Paralympic or Olympic garb and offered words of encouragement.  A meet-and-greet followed at the Hyatt afterward with participants including Patrick Byrne, Ella and Ian Chafee, Jean Driscoll, Jessica Galli, Lee Jonas, Amanda McGrory, Paul Moran, Sheila O’Neil, Bob Szyman, PhD, Mikel and Don Vandello.  Title sponsor World Sport Chicago, Wheelchair Sports, USA, Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association and U.S. Paralympics supported the event held July 17-24 with a “sneak appearance” by World Sport Chicago Chairman and former Chicago 2016 Chairman and CEO Patrick and Shirley Ryan.  Thanks to Joel Berman of Adaptive Adventures for the photos!

Four Olympians took part in the World Harmony Run with the torch of peace from the Lincoln Park Zoo to the Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park to the green area near the Art Institute in Chicago on July 26.  Thanks to Brian Hansen, Tom Pukstys, Diana Williams Muhammad and Diane Simpson for joining World Harmony Run officials in the city and later for leading Chicago Park District youth through a “tour around the world” in the park.

National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame - Thank you!
On behalf of film star war veteran and Paralympian American-record holder Melissa Stockwell (swimming, 2008), thanks to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame for hosting a screening of Warrior Champions www.warriorchampions.com and to World Sport Chicago, including Chairman Patrick Ryan and Director of Paralympic Sport and Accessibility Pam Redding (swimming coach, 1996, 2004; team leader, 2000). 

NIASHOF inductee Linda Mastandrea (athletics, 1992, 1996) led off the remarks, along with Mr. Ryan and Redding.  Ella Chafee (swimming, 1964, 1968; athletics, 1968; fencing, 1996) and Ian Chafee (Paralympic team manager, 1976, 1980, 1984), Steve Gregg (swimming, 1976), Gary Morgan (athletics, 1988), Simpson-Bundy, Bob Szyman, PhD, (wheelchair basketball coach, 1976, 1980, 1984; wheelchair team leader, 1988; 1984 Olympic Games wheelchair athletics; archery, 1996; Assistant Technical Director, wheelchair basketball, 2000), and Chicago 2016's Chris Simek and other colleagues attended the brilliant evening that included a panel discussion by Stockwell, filmmaker/co-director Craig Renaud and two local Paralympic military athletes, Chad Watson and Steve Baskis.  Look closely at the film and hear and catch a glimpse of Paralympic Medalist and Desert Storm/Desert Shield veteran John Register (swimming, 1996; athletics, 2000), formerly of Oak Park.

World Sport Chicago and Rosebud Restaurants - Thank you!
Thanks to World Sport Chicago and Rosebud Restaurants (a special thanks to WSC Executive Director Scott Myers and Rosebud's Joe Ahern) for hosting a World Sport Chicago Athlete Ambassador Program meeting at Rosebud Prime on May 20 in conjunction with our annual meeting.  Myers, WSC President Bill Scherr (wrestling, 1988) and Bob Berland (judo, 1984, 1988; coach, 2004) http://beworldclass.com presented to more than 20 athletes, several coaches and other supporters who attended, including the USOC's Abigail Tompkins, world marathoner Sarah Ames, and Randy Wostratzky and karate world age-group champ Peter Delneky, formerly of Chicago 2016's Next Generation Leadership Advisory Council.

Attendees list:
Sarah Ames (world marathoner)
Bob Beamon (athletics, 1968) plus one (Rhonda)
Bob Berland (judo, 1984, 1988)
Tony Brooks (rowing, 1972, 1976)
Carol Brown (rowing, 1976, 1980, 1984)
Frank T. Burns (Paralympic coach, 1988, 2000)
Ella Chafee (swimming, 1964, 1968; athletics, 1968; fencing, 1996)
Ian Chafee (Paralympic team manager, 1976, 1980, 1984)
Mike Gattone (coach and owner, Windy City Weightlifting)
Steve Gregg (swimming, 1976)
Brian Hansen (speedskating, 2010)
Kenny Johnson (boccia, 1992, 1996)
Larry Langowski (wrestling, 2008)
Gary Morgan (athletics, 1988)
Bill Mulliken (swimming, 1960)
Adam Pierson (Olympic Trials, 2008)
Bill Scherr (wrestling, 1988)
Diane Simpson (gymnastics, 1988)
Ann Swisshelm (curling, 2002)
Bela Szabados (swimming, 1992, 1996, 2000)
Bob Szyman, PhD (Paralympic coach, 1976, 1980, 1984)
Celine Thum (U.S. Badminton National Team)
Steve Williams (athletics, 1980)
Also:
  Scott Myers, WSC
  Randy Wostratzky, Chicago 2016 NGLAC
  Abigail Tompkins, USOC
  Peter Delneky (karate)

Olympians at "Putting for Scholars" Event - Thank you!
A round of applause to Olympians Tony Brooks (rowing, 1972, 1976), Tom Pukstys (athletics, 1992, 1996), Scherr (wrestling, 1988) and 400-meter hurdles Olympic gold medal winner Kevin Young (athletics, 1992), who supported Olympic Gold Medalist Bob Beamon (athletics, 1968) Assoc. Athletic Director and Paralympic coach/professor Bob Szyman, PhD, at the "Putting for Scholars" Event at the University Club on June 9.

Local, national and international athletes at Beyond Sport: Bob Beamon (athletics, 1968), Bob Berland (judo, 1984, 1988), Jeremy Bloom (skiing, 2002, 2006), Tony Brooks (rowing, 1972, 1976), Michael Conley (athletics, 1984, 1993, 1996), Donna de Varona (swimming, 1960, 1964), David Diaz (boxing, 1996), Michelle Ford (swimming, 1976, 1980), Julie Foudy (soccer, 1996, 2000, 2004), IOC Member Frankie Fredericks (athletics, 1992, 1996), Midwest Chapter VP Steve Gregg (swimming, 1976), Baroness Grey-Thompson, April Holmes (athletics, 2004, 2008), Michael Johnson (athletics, 1996, 2000), Shaun Jordan (swimming, 1992, 1996), Jackie Joyner-Kersee (athletics, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996), Larry Langowski (wrestling, 2008), Midwest Chapter Secretary Linda Mastandrea (athletics, 1992, 1996), Connie Moore (athletics, 2004), five-time Paralympian Paul Moran, Gary Morgan (athletics, 1988), Humanitarian Award Winner and four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dikembe Mutombo, Bill Mulliken (swimming, 1960), Doc Nicholson (boxing, 1992), WSC's Paralympic Coach Pam Redding, Cindy Rusher (rowing, 1988, 1992), Jack Rusher (rowing, 1992, 1996), WSC President Bill Scherr (wrestling, 1988), Diane Simpson-Bundy (gymnastics, 1988), Ian Thorpe (swimming, 2000, 2004), Eli Wolff (Paralympic soccer, 1996, 2004) and Alexe Yeung (cycling, 2000).


Thanks!  Diane Simpson-Bundy