USA Bobsled and Skeleton

Jake Peterson chosen as Team USA flag bearer for inaugural 
Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck 

Bobsledder selected by his teammates for important honor

INNSBRUCK, Austria - Bobsledder Jake Peterson, 17, from Zimmerman, Minn., has been selected as Team USA's flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony of the first-ever Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria.

"Just thinking about carrying the flag of the United States of America gives me goose bumps," said Peterson. "I'm thrilled by this honor, grateful to my teammates for selecting me and proud to represent Team USA and the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation."

Peterson will race as the brakeman with driver Codie Bascue (Whitehall, N.Y.) on Jan. 22 at the Olympic Sliding Center. The pair swept the entire qualification race series for the Winter Youth Olympic Games, which included races in Calgary, Canada and Park City, Utah.

"We're proud of each member of Team USA for qualifying to the first quadrennial Winter Youth Olympic Games," said U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun. "The Innsbruck Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee and the International Olympic Committee have prepared what will be an incredible experience for these young athletes, including both high level competition as well as cultural and education programs."

A former football and track athlete, Peterson began his sliding career in 2009 at age 15. His role model is 2010 bobsled Olympian and U.S. Army Sgt. John Napier.

"I'm proud of Jake for many reasons, but just thinking about him carrying the U.S. flag in the Opening Ceremony, well, wow, it will be quite an honor to watch that," said Darin Peterson who is not only Jake's dad, but also the coach of the U.S. Youth Olympic Bobsled Team.

Darin Peterson also coached the U.S. bobsledders at the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer.

For more information and photos of Team USA at the Winter Youth Olympic Games, visit teamusa.org/yog and follow@USOlympic on Twitter.

For additional information, please contact Christy Cahill at +1-617-777-4489, christy.cahill@usoc.org.