University of North Carolina Athletics
'92 Olympic Dream Team Nominated For Olympic Hall Of Fame
April 30, 2009 | Men's Basketball
April 30, 2009
NORTHBROOK, Ill. - The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) today announced the nominees for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2009. Among the group is the 1992 U.S. Men's Basketball Team, which outscored opponents by an average margin of 44 points on the way to the gold medal at the arcelona Games. Former Tar Heel star Michael Jordan was a member of the '92 squad, known as the "Dream Team."
The star-studded nominee list of 15 individuals, five teams and five Paralympians includes Olympic legends such as Teresa Edwards, Gary Hall, Sr., Michael Johnson, Picabo Street and more.
The finalists were unveiled today at an event headlined by Allstate chairman, president and chief executive officer, Tom Wilson, along with USOC acting CEO Stephanie Streeter, Chicago 2016 chairman and CEO Patrick Ryan, and U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame member John Naber.
"The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame celebrates our honorees' commitment to excellence and recognizes Americans who are role models and heroes," said Wilson. "Each of us can find strength, passion and inspiration in these ordinary people who achieved extraordinary success in the Olympics. They help make us proud to be Americans."
From now through June 16, fans can cast their votes for the 2009 class of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame online at www.teamusa.org. The inducted class will include five individuals, one team and one Paralympian, as well as three additional individuals: a coach, veteran and special contributor. The inductees will be revealed in early July and will be honored at a black-tie induction ceremony on August 12 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame presented by Allstate is the only national sports Hall of Fame that includes fan voting.
"The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame honors Olympic and Paralympic legends who have inspired our country for generations, uniting us behind Team USA and giving us role models who epitomize the Olympic ideals," Streeter said. "Allstate's generous support of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and dedication to celebrating the accomplishments of America's Olympic and Paralympic greats further illustrates their commitment to the Olympic Movement and America's athletes."
The August 12 induction ceremony will honor the 2009 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame class and introduce a new international award - the Olive Branch Award - given to an individual or individuals who best represent the international ideals of the Olympic Games by working to build a peaceful and better world through sport. Also new to 2009, the induction ceremony will feature a special fundraising banquet to benefit Chicago 2016, Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Nominees for the induction class of 2009 were selected by a 10-person nominating committee consisting of athletes, members of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, historians, and USOC representatives. Fans can vote by visiting www.teamusa.org.
