USA Gymnastics President and CEO Kerry Perry resigns

From USA Gymnastics Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (September 4, 2018)  USA Gymnastics President and CEO Kerry Perry last evening informed the Board of Directors that she will resign effectively immediately.  The board has immediately begun to identify an interim CEO and is in the process of establishing a search committee to find a permanent replacement. 

“On behalf of the Board of USA Gymnastics, I want to thank Kerry for her leadership under very difficult circumstances,” said Karen Golz, chair of the USA Gymnastics Board.

“In the wake of horrific events that have impacted our athletes and the entire gymnastics community, USA Gymnastics has made progress in stabilizing itself and setting a new path to ensure that the safety and interests of our athletes remains at the heart of our mission,” said Golz.

“Over the past nine months, USA Gymnastics has been in the midst of a major transition as it implements recommendations made by Deborah Daniels in her report, following her independent review of the organization’s safe sport policies and procedures, as well as directives of the USOC,” continued Golz. “These changes have included amending the organization’s by-laws and the appointment of an entirely new board of directors, made up of eight independent members and seven from within the gymnastics community.  Most importantly, USA Gymnastics has been focused on athlete safety and well-being and ensuring that programs and protocols are in place to prevent all forms of abuse and to encourage athletes to speak up.  This process has been challenging, and painful, but is a necessary step in moving the community forward.”

The Board of Directors also established a management committee to provide organizational oversight to maintain continuity in the day-to-day operations until an interim CEO is named.  The management committee members include Karen Golz, chair; David Rudd, vice chair and secretary, and board member, Kathryn Carson.

The board is in the process of forming a search committee of board members, as well as athletes and others from the gymnastics and NGB community to search for a permanent president and CEO. Board member and Olympian Brent Lang, president and CEO of Vocera, will chair the committee.  The committee has been charged with finding a leader who can help the organization build on the progress to date and achieve the fundamental cultural changes necessary to move the sport forward. 

Oroweat® Contributes to Kids, Paralympians

By Lisa Ramsperger
U.S. Olympic Committee
USOC Press Release

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (December 24, 2008) As part of its commitment to nutrition and a healthy active lifestyle, premium bread maker Oroweat is proud to present donations to the Jr. Olympic Skills program and U.S. Paralympics – both programs of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). During a check presentation ceremony at the USOC headquarters in Colorado Springs, Oroweat presented representatives from both groups with a check for $95,000 each.

“As a long-time supplier to the U.S. Olympic Team, we are committed to the programs and education tools they offer their athletes of all ages and abilities,” said Reid Stinnett, Senior Vice President of Marketing. “We chose to support the Jr. Olympic Skills program and the U.S. Paralympic Team because they both encourage and teach good nutrition and good values to their athletes.”

The Jr. Olympic Skills Competition focuses on four sports – basketball, soccer, tennis and track & field. Boys and girls ages 8-13 compete in qualifying events which culminates with the National Finals. In July, the 2009 Jr. Olympic Skills National Finals will be held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. This free program was established to provide youth across the United States with a multi-sport competition designed to encourage participation in Olympic sport, emphasize fair and friendly play and promote an active lifestyle.Since its formation in 2001, U.S. Paralympics has been inspiring Americans to achieve their dreams. Through education, sports programs and partnerships with community organizations, medical facilities and government agencies, U.S. Paralympics is making a difference in the lives of thousands of physically disabled people every day.

“We wouldn’t be able to offer the services and programs to athletes and our constituents without the support of our partners, such as Oroweat,” said USOC Chief Executive Officer Jim Scherr. “Our partnership with Oroweat has continued to thrive on the many mutual values we share. And, we thank Oroweat, not only for supplying us with premium bread products which help fuel our athletes for success, but for also making this financial commitment that will greatly aid both the Jr. Olympic Skills Competition and U.S. Paralympics.”

About Oroweat
Oroweat products are produced by Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU). BBU operates 13 bakeries and distributes leading brands such as Oroweat®, Mrs. Baird’s® ,Tia Rosa®, Francisco, Bimbo® and Marinela®. BBU operates approximately 3,000 sales routes, is headquartered in Fort Worth and is the U.S. Division of Mexico’s Grupo Bimbo, one of the world’s largest baking companies with over 97,000 associates and operations in 18 countries throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe. Its stock has been trading on the Mexican Stock Exchange since 1980 under the ticker BIMBO.

24 HOUR FITNESS RENEWS U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM SPONSORSHIP THROUGH 2012

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (August 7, 2008) 24 Hour Fitness, the largest privately-owned U.S. fitness chain along with the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) today announced the leading health club pioneer’s renewed commitment to the athletes and organizers of the U.S. Olympic Team, extending its exclusive fitness center sponsorship through 2012.

24 Hour Fitness’ has supported America’s Olympic Team since the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and backs its U.S. Olympic Team sponsorship with advertising, in-club promotions and the largest sponsorship of National Governing Bodies. In addition, 24 Hour Fitness offers eligible U.S. Olympic athletes and hopefuls free and reduced rate club memberships to support them as they train in their hometowns.

“24 Hour Fitness is proud to continue its support of the U.S. Olympic Team,” said Tony Wells, Chief Marketing Officer, 24 Hour Fitness. “The U.S. Olympic Team inspires our members and employees reinforcing that with hard work anyone can achieve their athletic and fitness goals.”

As part of its renewed sponsorship, 24 Hour Fitness will continue to provide U.S. Olympic athletes and hopefuls with access to their more than 425 fitness clubs as well as maintain their support of the U.S. Olympic movement by sponsoring eleven National Governing Bodies. Additionally, 24 Hour Fitness will continue to work closely with the USOC to help Team USA optimize its performance both stateside and within the Olympic Host City by outfitting the U.S. Olympic Training Centers and High Performance Training Center (HPTC) with state-of-art-equipment and expertise.

While in Beijing, the HPTC will serve as a base for the U.S. Olympic Committee during the Games offering services to include training facilities. 24 Hour Fitness team members will be available at the HPTC fitness center to support U.S. athletes.

New to the partnership will be the brand’s support of the U.S. Paralympic Team and its commitment to employ U.S. Olympic Hopefuls with flexible schedules so they can earn money while focusing on their training in hopes of making the U.S. Olympic Team.

“24 Hour Fitness has been a great partner to the U.S. Olympic Committee and has helped Team USA train and ready for competition since the Athens 2004 Olympic Games,” said USOC Chief Marketing Officer Rick Burton. “The continued support of 24 Hour Fitness through 2012 reinforces the brand’s commitment to the U.S. Olympic Movement and will help another generation of U.S. Olympic athletes and hopefuls pursue their dreams of Olympic glory.”

NBC to Broadcast 2008 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (August 1, 2008) From 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. ET Sunday, August 3, sports fans across the United States can celebrate the achievements of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2008, presented by Allstate. NBC, home of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and broadcast partner of the United States Olympic Committee, will present the made-for-television national telecast. Jim Lampley, who will cover his fourteenth Olympic Games this summer, returns as master of ceremonies for the 90-minute program.

This year’s individual inductees are wrestler Bruce Baumgartner, marathoner Joan Benoit Samuelson, figure skater Brian Boitano, volleyball player Karch Kiraly, boxer Oscar De La Hoya, equestrian J. Michael Plumb, Paralympic swimmer John Morgan, basketball player David Robinson, swimmer Amy Van Dyken and shooter Lones Wigger, Jr. Figure skating coach Carlo Fassi was inducted posthumously in the Coach category and Olympic figure skating gold medalist Carol Heiss Jenkins was inducted in the Veteran category. The members of the 1996 Women’s Gymnastics Team, Amanda Borden, Amy Chow, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Jaycie Phelps and Kerri Strug, were honored in the Team category, while legendary Hollywood producer Frank Marshall was recognized as the Special Contributor.

Highlights of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, for which Kleenex and AT&T were associate sponsors, include:
•A reunion of the “Magnificent Seven” 1996 Women’s Gymnastics Team
•Kristi Yamaguchi’s heartfelt introduction of her childhood hero, Brian Boitano, and their impromptu “dance” off stage
•Summer Sanders’ warm backstage interview with wrestler Bruce Baumgartner

“The legacies and contributions of this year’s inductees will now live forever as they join our country’s greatest Olympians in the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame,” said Lisa Cochrane, vice president of marketing at Allstate. “As a sponsor of the Hall of Fame since its celebrated revitalization in 2004, Allstate is proud to help protect and preserve this important part of our identity and source of American pride.”

Many distinguished members of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame attended the induction ceremony to introduce the Class of 2008 honorees. Among those serving as presenters were figure skaters Dick Button, Peggy Fleming and Kristi Yamaguchi; gymnast Bart Connor; track & field’s Carl Lewis and the last U.S. male marathoner to win an Olympic gold medal, Frank Shorter.

Other presenters included Olympic Gold Medal swimmer Nancy Hogshead-Maker (Amy Van Dyken); USOC Chief Executive Officer Jim Scherr (Bruce Baumgartner); IOC member and USOC VP, International Bob Ctvrtlik (Karch Kiraly); U.S. Equestrian Federation President David O’Connor (J. Michael Plumb); Captain Ron Wigger (Lones Wigger, Jr.); CEO of 24 Hour Fitness Carl Liebert and 1996 U.S. Olympic Basketball Coach Lenny Wilkens (David Robinson); and Brigadier General Patrick Finnegan (John Morgan).

The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame was established in 1979 to celebrate the achievements of America's premier athletes in the modern Olympic Games. The first U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame class was inducted in 1983 during ceremonies in Chicago. That Charter Class, which included Olympic greats Jesse Owens, Jim Thorpe and Muhammad Ali, remains the largest group (20 individuals and one team) ever inducted. In 2004, after a 12-year hiatus, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame was revived through the support of Allstate Insurance Company as the presenting sponsor. This year, Allstate is again the presenting sponsor for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, with second-year associate sponsors Kleenex and AT&T. With the addition of the Class of 2008, 213 athletes (including seven U.S. teams), two coaches, and 13 special contributors to the U.S. Olympic Movement have been enshrined in the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.

Houston's Horton Nominated to 2008 U.S. Olympic Team

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVAINA (June 22, 2008) Jonathan Horton of Houston and 2004 Olympic all-around champion Paul Hamm of Waukesha, Wisconsin were nominated to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Men’s Gymnastics Team following the conclusion of the yesterday's men’s competition at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics, held at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. The balance of the squad will be nominated to the U.S. Olympic Team toDAY, pending approval from the U.S. Olympic Committee. The final day of the women’s competition at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Gymnastics is today (Sunday) at 6 p.m. ET.

“I’ve worked my whole life for this, to make the Olympic Team,” said Horton, who competes for Team Chevron. “All of these athletes have pushed me to where I’m at today. I was just having fun out there today. I’m more confident with my gymnastics then I’ve ever been before.”

Horton finished first in the weighted, combined all-around rankings from the Visa Championships and U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics. Hamm broke the fourth metacarpal in his right hand on the first day of competition at the 2008 Visa Championships, May 22-24 in Houston, and filed a petition to the Olympic Team, which was accepted.

“I have a lot of work to do to get healthy and show the committee I’m ready,” said Hamm, who competes for Team Chevron.

The five-man men’s selection committee named both Horton and Hamm to the team after no athlete met the minimum requirements for automatic qualification, as outlined in the selection procedures. To be automatically named to the team, an athlete needed to finish in the top two in the combined, weighted all-around rankings from the two selection events, as well as place in the top three of six events using the combined results.

“We will pick the team with the best potential for success based on how they have performed,” said Dennis McIntyre, senior men’s program director for USA Gymnastics. “No one met the automatic selection criteria. The selection committee met in advance and we had a game plan for what we would look for and consider in the event no one automatically qualified. We will meet tonight and tomorrow to review the results, look at scores, look at what each can contribute to the team and run through all of the scenarios to see what combination of men will give us the best team.”

Horton earned 90.750 points in the overall Olympic selection rankings, followed by Joseph Hagerty of Rio Rancho, N.M./Team Chevron, in second with 89.940 points and Raj Bhavsar of Houston/Team Chevron in third at 89.860.

“There was nothing more I could have given or done,” Bhavsar said. “I turned my life around almost a year ago and said I am going to do this.”

“I did all I could out there,” Hagerty said. “It is all up to the committee right now. Whoever they put on it, this team is going to do a fantastic job.”

Horton finished first in tonight’s all-around competition with a score of 91.650. David Durante of Garwood, N.J./Team Chevron, was second with a 90.950 and Bhavsar was third with a 90.200.

After four rotations, Hagerty was leading the weighted all-around standings with a score of 81.660, followed by Bhavsar with an 81.235 and Horton with an 81.210. In the fifth rotation, Horton posted a 16.100 for his handspring double front vault, and moved into first place in the weighted rankings with an 86.055. Hagerty’s 13.500 on pommel horse dropped him to second with 85.710 points, and Bhavsar was third with an 85.435.

The high scores of the day were: Sean Golden of Camden, N.J., on floor exercise, 15.700, and vault, 16.400; Durante on pommel horse, 15.050; Kevin Tan of Fremont, Calif., on still rings, 16.550; Raj Bhavsar on parallel bars, 15.700; and Morgan Hamm on horizontal bars, 15.500.

Tickets are still available for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics, and may be purchased online at ComcastTIX.com, by phone at 1-800-298-4200, or at the Wachovia Center Box Office. Visa is the only card accepted for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Gymnastics.

Past sites for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for gymnastics are: 2004, Anaheim, Calif.; 1996 and 2000, Boston; 1992, Baltimore, Md.; 1988, Salt Lake City, Utah; and 1980 and 1984, Jacksonville, Fla.

The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for all sports is a collaborative, three-way partnership between the U.S. Olympic Committee, the national governing bodies and the local organizing committees.

US Olympic Committee Issues Statement on Marion Jones

Statement from United States Olympic Committee Chief Executive Officer Jim Scherr on the sentencing of Marion Jones

“Today’s sentencing is illustrative of just how far-reaching and serious the consequences of cheating can be. The fact that an athlete with so much talent and promise, who so many people looked up to, made the decision to cheat is a terrible disappointment. This unfortunate situation does, however, offer a lesson to young people about the importance of making good choices and honoring the value of clean competition.”

United States Olympic Committee, United States Anti-Doping Agency, Major League Baseball and National Football League Announce Partnership

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (January 10, 2008) The United States Olympic Committee (USOC), United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Major League Baseball (MLB) and National Football League (NFL) announced today the formation of a landmark research collaborative designed to further curtail the use of banned and illegal substances in sport.

The Partnership for Clean Competition (PCC) will, for the first time ever, combine the resources and expertise of many of America’s leading sports entities to underwrite meaningful and scientifically-legitimate anti-doping research. Beginning this year, the focus of the PCC will be to fundraise and make targeted grants in support of non-partisan and independent scientific research to be conducted at universities and other world-class research institutions. Priorities for the collaborative will include underwriting research that addresses:

• new methods to more cost-effectively detect and deter the use of banned and illegal substances at every level of sport
• identification and detection of designer substances
• the consequences of doping, from both a medical and ethical perspective
• the further development of a widely-available, cost-effective test to detect Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

As the initial Founding Partners, the USOC, USADA, MLB and NFL have collectively committed to contribute $10 million to this landmark collaborative. Each Founding Partner will have one representative on the Board of Governors, which will oversee the research collaborative.

Also participating and contributing financially to the research collaborative are the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL) and Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA). The Founding Partners will seek to raise additional funds and include other entities (both sport and non-sport) in the collaborative as well.

“It is vital that the major sport organizations in America work together to combat a problem that, left unchecked, has the potential to destroy the value and integrity of sport,” said USOC Chairman Peter Ueberroth. “In order to make greater progress in the fight against doping, significantly more must be done in the area of research, which is why the USOC created the Partnership for Clean Competition. Major League Baseball, the National Football League, USADA and the additional participating organizations have joined our efforts to combat this problem in a more aggressive way, and we commend them for uniting with us to address what has become a national issue.

“Ultimately, we are in a battle to protect and preserve the benefits of sport participation for the youth of our country,” added Ueberroth.

The PCC is a stand-alone non-profit entity. The organization will consist of the Board of Governors and a Scientific Research Advisory Board. The Board of Governors will include one representative from each of the Founding Partners. It will set the direction and policy of the PCC, and appoint the Scientific Research Advisory Board. The Scientific Research Advisory Board, consisting of universally-recognized and scientifically-qualified experts, will review grant requests, make recommendations to the Board of Governors and provide oversight regarding the results of the research projects.

“Major League Baseball’s support of this important new effort by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency continues our commitment to fight the use of performance-enhancing substances among our athletes,” said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. “I am hopeful that our alliance with the Partnership for Clean Competition, as well as those with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and the Taylor Hooton Foundation, among others, will make an impact in detecting the use of these illegal substances and in educating the public about their dangers.”

“We are pleased to join the USOC and other partners in this collaborative program to develop the next generation of anti-doping strategies for the benefit of all levels of athletic competition,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “Our support of the Partnership for Clean Competition is consistent with our longstanding commitment to invest in research that advances the goal of eliminating doping in sport.”

“The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has always recognized the importance of credible scientific research to protect clean sport and those who compete with integrity,” said USADA Chief Executive Officer Travis T. Tygart. “The Partnership for Clean Competition is a vital new initiative to further advance our ongoing efforts to eradicate doping from sport through science. USADA welcomes and greatly appreciates the shared commitment of the U.S. Olympic Committee, National Football League and Major League Baseball, and that of others who join us in this important endeavor.”

USOC CHAIRMAN PETER UEBERROTH SIGNS OFFICIAL INVITATION TO SEND U.S. TEAM TO 2008 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES

(HOUSTON, TEXAS, October 19, 2007) The 2007 U.S. Olympic Assembly concludes Sunday in Houston, Texas, after five days of meetings and panels involving more than 300 members of the U.S. Olympic Family. At Saturday’s luncheon, Former President George H. W. Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush were welcomed as special guests, and U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Chairman of the Board Peter Ueberroth named President Bush the Honorary Chef de Mission of the 2008 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams for the 2008 Games in Beijing, China. This is the first time the USOC has bestowed the title of Honorary Chef de Mission upon an individual.

President Bush and Ueberroth then participated in a signing ceremony, during which the USOC officially accepted the invitation for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams to compete in the 2008 Games.

Friday was highlighted by the USOC Board of Directors meeting. Primary topics for the USOC Board were:
• The 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing, and the USOC’s preparations from logistical and competitive standpoints
• USOC international relations efforts, including the Chicago 2016 bid and the AIBA World Boxing Championships
• The ongoing analysis of the USOC Olympic Training Center needs, NGB headquarter needs and USOC headquarter needs
• The fight against doping in sport

Saturday’s keynote address: “Amazing Awaits: Shaping the Future of America’s Olympic Movement,” was delivered by USOC Chief Executive Officer Jim Scherr, USOC Chief Operating Officer Norman Bellingham and Chicago 2016 Chief Executive Officer Pat Ryan. Other panel discussions included: “The Strength of the Olympic Brand: What Makes Us Different, Makes Us Strong” and “The Fight Against Doping in Sport: The New Frontier.”

The Athletes Advisory Council and the U.S. Olympians Association took strong roles in USOC community outreach while in Houston, visiting four local schools as part of the USOC Champions in Life program and McDonald’s Passport to Play program. In addition, Olympians, Paralympians and elite athletes visited a Ronald McDonald House in Houston, honoring everyday heroes – the seriously ill children receiving treatment at Texas Children’s Hospital.

Other guest speakers at Saturday’s luncheon were Olympic wrestler Brad Vering, World track cycling champion Sarah Hammer and Paralympic track & field hopeful Scott Winkler. The three athletes shared their inspirational stories with the full assembly during a question and answer session, and visited with President and Mrs. Bush at the head table.

President Bush has long been a supporter of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. He spoke to America’s athletes in Athens during the 2004 Olympic Games as the head of the official White House Delegation. He welcomed the 1992 Olympic and Paralympic Teams to the White House during his presidency. He has strong ties to China, the host of the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Early in his public service career, President Bush served as chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in the People’s Republic of China from 1974-1976.

This third annual U.S. Olympic Assembly brought together the various members of the USOC and organizations associated with the U.S. Olympic Movement in an effort to foster communication, collaboration and the development of new initiatives to support America’s athletes.