POSTED: Thursday September 3rd 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony presented by Allstate to air Saturday on NBC

September 5 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. - Sports fans across the United States can celebrate the achievements of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2009, presented by Allstate, Saturday, September 5 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET.  NBC, home of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and broadcast partner of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), will present the made-for-television national telecast.  NBC Olympics Broadcaster Dan Hicks and two-time Olympic swimming gold medalist Summer Sanders host the 90-minute nationally-televised broadcast. 

The star-studded inductee list includes Michael Johnson (athletics), Picabo Street (alpine skiing), Teresa Edwards (basketball), Willye White (athletics), Mary T. Meagher (swimming), Sarah Will (Paralympic alpine skiing), the 1992 U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball Team, longtime men’s gymnastics coach Abie Grossfeld, skiing veteran Andrea Mead Lawrence, and special contributor Peter Ueberroth. Amazingly, members of this talented group of athletes, teams and coaches have been a part of a combined 21 Olympic and Paralympic Games and brought home a total of 46 medals.   

Additionally, Australia’s Kevan Gosper was named the inaugural recipient of the Olive Branch Achievement Award, an international-themed award that annually honors an individual who best represents the international ideals of the Olympic Movement by working to build a peaceful and better world through sport.  The award was created by the USOC and inspired by Allstate chairman, president and chief executive officer Tom Wilson. 

Many distinguished members of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame attended the induction ceremony to introduce members of the Class of 2009.  Among those serving as presenters were track & field’s Bob Beamon (Willye White) and Edwin Moses (Michael Johnson); speedskater Bonnie Blair (Picabo Street); skier Phil Mahre (Andrea Mead Lawrence)and gymnast Peter Vidmar (Abie Grossfeld). 

Other presenters included:  three-time Olympic gold medalist and current University of South Carolina women’s head basketball coach Dawn Staley (Teresa Edwards); two-time Olympic medalist Dwyane Wade (1992 Olympic Men’s Basketball Team); Atlanta Braves Executive Vice President, USOC Board member, 1980 speedskating Olympian and husband to Meagher Mike Plant (Mary T. Meagher); former U.S. Disabled Alpine Ski Team head coach Kevin Jardine (Sarah Will); former Vice President with the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee Priscilla Florence (Peter Ueberroth) and USOC Chairman of the Board Larry Probst , actor and Allstate spokesperson Dennis Haysbert and Allstate chairman, president and chief executive officer Tom Wilson (Kevan Gosper). 

The 2009 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony took place Aug. 12 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Nearly 3,600 people attended the dinner and fundraiser to celebrate the achievements and legacy of the 2009 class of inductees. The event raised approximately $5 million for Chicago 2016 and its sister legacy organization, World Sport Chicago. 

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Keywords · USOC · NBC · Summer Sanders · Dan Hicks · Michael Johnson · Picabo Street · Teresa Edwards · Willye White · Mary T. Meagher · Sarah Will · 1992 U.S. Men's Olympic Basketball Team · Abie Grossfeld · Andrea Mead Lawrence · Peter Ueberroth

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