5/21/03 - Anchorage Salutes Olympic Athletes
NEWS RELEASE
Anchorage, Alaska - May 21, 2003
ANCHORAGE SALUTES OLYMPIC ATHLETES
The inaugural Golden Athlete tribute honoring Olympic athletes from the Anchorage area will take place May 27, 2003, at the Evangeline Atwood Concert Hall, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. The one-hour tribute from 6 - 7 p.m., is free and open to the public. Senator Ted Stevens and more than 50 past Olympic athletes from the Anchorage area will be in attendance.
Senator Ted Stevens, an avid supporter of amateur sports, will unveil the "Golden Sports Book of Anchorage" and present golden pens to the inaugural inductees. Nine Olympians have been selected by the Partnerships for Winter Recreation Sports and Tourism in recognition of their contributions to the community and inspiration to youth. The program will include a special retirement recognition for Nina Kemppel and Alan Alborn.
Co-chairs, Jim Galanes, director & headcoach for Alaska Pacific University and Chris von Imhof, vice president and managing director for Alyeska Resort & board member of Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) will introduce the Olympians.
The Golden Sports Book of Anchorage is an idea conceptualized by former Olympian Karl Eid. The Golden Book, made in Germany, is bound in leather with gilded lettering. The Golden Book will be on permanent display at a city facility yet to be determined.
The Golden Athlete tribute will become an annual event inducting Anchorage Olympians, dedicated non-Olympic sport athletes and citizens who have made significant contributions to sports and recreation. The Committee will choose the recipients from a pool of athletes that have been nominated by the public. Community members who wish to nominate athletes or individuals that have made contributions to the betterment of sports in Anchorage, may begin submitting nominations in November 2003 at www.anchorage.net/goldenathlete.
Athletes being honored from the June 2002 Olympic Games in Utah include: Rachel Steer, biathlon; Rosey Fletcher, snowboarding; Lars Flora, nordic skiing; Nina Kemppel, nordic skiing; Kikkan Randall, nordic skiing; Jeremy Teela, Biathlon; Alan Alborn, ski jumping; Christine Clark, marathon, 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games athlete, Chris Vance, snowboarder, complete the nine-member roster.
The event is sponsored by Partnerships for Winter Sports, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the ACVB and the Municipality of Anchorage.
The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau's mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage. ACVB's marketing functions are funded by half of the bed tax collected by hotels. The other half goes to the Municipality's general fund. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. For more information, explore www.anchorage.net.
CONTACTS:
Erika Biringer, Public Relations Manager
(907) 257-2331
ebiringer@anchorage.net
Explore www.anchorage.net
Nance Larsen, Director of Communications
(907) 257-2310
nlarsen@anchorage.net
Explore www.anchorage.net
