U.S. Olympic Athletes Nominate Mentors on Facebook for Inspiration Award

More Than 460,000 Votes Already Cast by Fans

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - U.S. Olympic Team ring licensee O.C. Tanner is giving U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes the opportunity to show their appreciation to those who inspired them most. Athletes have been invited to submit their stories of appreciation, from which four will receive the Inspiration Award - a 14k gold commemorative ring - which they in turn can present to their mentor.

As the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver begins its second week, more than 35 U.S. athletes continue to appeal to the public on Facebook to choose their mentor for the O.C. Tanner Inspiration Award, a 14k gold commemorative ring designed by employee recognition firm, O.C. Tanner, to honor Olympic mentors.

Even from Vancouver, athletes such as Katherine Reutter, Zach Lund, Steve Holcomb, Allison Baver and Nick Baumgartner petition fans to vote for their story on Facebook in hopes of sharing their Olympic success with those who have inspired them along the way. A mother lost to cancer. A grandfather more concerned with happiness than a trophy count. A town that raised hope as well as money.

From the submission of Noelle Pikus-Pace, Bobsled:

"There are many people who have helped me on my journey, but it is my husband, Janson, who made these Games possible for me. He has been my biggest fan and greatest support over the past 8 years. He was literally by my side through recovery from a difficult injury and spent hundreds of hours hand-building my sled for this season and (the) Games, a true labor of love. This is not only my dream. It is our dream. Even though you'll see me on the racetrack, I assure you we are racing together."

"It's clear that behind every Olympian there is someone who ignited the spark," said Lisa Baird , Chief Marketing Officer of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). "As we celebrate the victories of our athletes in Vancouver, the Inspiration Award recognizes the people who contributed to their success, whether it's a parent, a teammate, a teacher or a friend."

New athlete stories will be posted and the public will be able to vote for their favorite until February 29, the end of the Olympic Winter Games. The nominees of three athletes will be selected for the award based on the Facebook voting and a panel of representatives from O.C. Tanner and the USOC.

To learn more about the Inspiration Award and vote for your favorite athlete, visit www.facebook.com/octanner.appreciation.
About O.C. Tanner
O.C. Tanner is an international awards and recognition business based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company helps more than 8,000 clients worldwide develop solutions designed to recognize and appreciate their employees. O.C. Tanner also operates two retail jewelry stores in Salt Lake City and Park City, Utah. 

About the USOC
The USOC is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the sole entity in the United States whose mission involves training, entering and underwriting the full expenses for the U.S. teams in the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. In addition to being the steward of the U.S. Olympic Movement, the USOC is the moving force for support of sports in the United States that are on the program of the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. 

Tags: Allison Baver, Facebook, Katherine Reutter, Lisa Baird, Nick Baumgartner, Noelle Pikus-Pace, Steve Holcomb, Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Zach Lund