USOC Awards Dinner -- Photodesk

(ATR) The USOC presented awards to outstanding members of the Olympic Movement within the United States at their annual awards dinner at the USOC Olympic and Paralympic Assembly.

Four awards were given out at the dinner that culminated in a keynote address by USA Basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Olympic Torch

The Olympic Torch award is given annually to a person who has had a positive impact on the Olympic Movement in the U.S. by making numerous contributions to promote the Olympic ideals throughout the country.

This year’s award was fittingly given to Anne Warner Cribbs for her career dedication to the Olympic Movement.

After winning an Olympic gold medal at the age of 15, Warner Cribbs retired from the sport of swimming.

Her impact on the Olympic Movement would go far past her medal, as she is the co-founder of the American Basketball League, the first female bid leader in the United States with San Francisco in 2012, former vice president of the U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association and chair of the San Francisco chapter of Women in Sports and Events.

Rings of Gold

The Rings of Gold awards go to an individual and program that help children develop their Olympic and Paralympic dreams.

This year’s individual award went to Amy Purdy for her organization Adaptive Action Sports that creates opportunities for those with physical disabilities to start snowboarding and skating. The organization is a pipeline to the U.S. Paralympic Snowboarding team.

Figure Skating in Harlem was given the honor of the Rings of Gold Program award for their commitment to the academic, social and physical advancement of girls from Manhattan and the Bronx in New York.

Sharen Cohen started the program in 1997 with the vision to empower all girls regardless of their social and economic status.

Jack Kelly Fair Play

The Jack Kelly Fair Play award by BP goes to an athlete, coach or official who demonstrates an outstanding act of fair play and sportsmanship. This year’s award went to two athletes in archery.

Trey McDonald and Miles Gould competed at the Junior Olympic Archery Development National Championships where Gould accidentally shot at the wrong target, automatically earning McDonald the victory.

Instead, McDonald opted for a one-arrow shoot off which saw Gould victorious. Gould returned the kindness shown to him by giving the victory to McDonald.

Advancing D&I

For the first time in the USOC Olympic Assembly program, the USOC will offer two awards to National Governing Bodies for achievement in diversity and inclusion. The Advancing D&I award recognizes the NGB with the largest annual percentage increase of underrepresented minority and ethnic groups. The D&I Choice award goes to the NGB that is voted to have the best practices to increase diversity and inclusion by their NGB peers.

The inaugural Advancing D&I award was given to USA Fencing for their annual percent increase of underrepresented individuals. The D&I Choice award went to USRowing for their America Rows initiative.

Click here to view a photodesk of the event.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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