U.S. Olympians & Paralympians-- Midwest

Walk to London at World Sport Chicago Family Sports Festival is coming up on Saturday, June 16, at 10:45 a.m. at Armour Square Park just north of U.S. Cellular Field.  Sign up today and join Olympians, Paralympians, professional and elite athletes as we walk and are counted toward the goal of walking the more than 5,000 miles to London in one of the US Olympians Association's national walks. Be part of the Opening Ceremony and later, take part in the activities and clinics at the third annual World Sport Chicago Family Sports Festival that runs 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Register at www.mwolympianwalk.eventbrite.com or contact rbenton@aorldsportchicago.org. To find other Walk to London events, visit www.walktolondon2012.org Thanks and see you soon!

Female Athlete of the Century Jackie Joyner-Kersee serves as keynote speaker with Midwest Olympians represeting BP and the U.S. Olympic Committee at the American Cancer Society Walk & Roll April 29 at Soldier Field. Ron Urick (canoe/kayak, 1988), Nancy Swider-Peltz, Jr. (speedskating, 2010) and Diane Simpson-Bundy (gymnastics, 1988) represent the chapter as they walk, roll and ride.
 
http://www.athletesforhope.org/jajo.html

The winter sport season is here and the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in London are only about a half a year away.  Our athletes are waxing skis, shapening their skates or polishing their finest gymnastics skills for competition.  Meanwhile, our active-but-retired alumni are staying involved with the Olympic and Paralympic movements through the World Sport Chicago Athlete Ambassador Program school visits, the U.S.

Athletes honored at the 2011 Olympic and Paralympic Assembly dinner in Colorado Springs included: Olympic champions Adolph Kiefer (swimming, 1936) and Evan Lysacek (2006, 2010) of Naperville, Ill., and Paralympic champion and Bronze Medalist Andrew Yohe (sled hockey, 2006, 2010). The trio gave unprecedented excellent speeches! Congratulations!
 

Thanks to the many Midwest Olympians and Paralympians who supported World Sport Chicago as it hosted their scholarship athletes, along with top local volleyball players at North Avenue Beach on Olympic Day, June 23.  Another shout out to World Sport Chicago, which hosted the Midwest Chapter at a dinner held at The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant the same evening. Special thanks to World Sport Chicago President Bill Scherr (wrestling, 1988), Executive Director Scott Myers and Clara Petrisor for all the organization.
 

Calling Olympian, Paralympian and Elite Athlete Ambassadors: World Sport Chicago is launching its Athlete Ambassador Program in December 2011.  Spots are being filled now for athletes to commit to three school visits split between two athletes at Chicago-

STEVE ALLEY

Former NHL and WHA player Steve Alley (hockey, 1976) www.alleycompanyllc.com is paving the way for athlete involvement at New Life Centers of Chicagoland at www.nlcenters.org in the Little Village neighborhood.

World Sport Chicago hosted the inagural Valor Games-Midwest on Aug. 23-26 at Soldier Field. The event featured wounded, ill or injured veterans and active-duty service members from across the Midwest.  It was the first regional event of its kind in the country and is was organized in partnership with the Chicago Park District, the Save Foundation, ISFA and U.S.