U.S. Olympic Committee Announces 2008 F.L.A.M.E. Program Dates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 15, 2008 U.S. Olympic Committee Announces 2008 F.L.A.M.E. Program Dates F.L.A.M.E. Program Celebrates Its 15th Year COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.-The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) announced that the 15th annual F.L.A.M.E. (Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere) program will be hosted at its Olympic Training Center (OTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 4-7, 2008. For the past 14 years, the USOC and its family of dedicated Olympic sponsors have empowered minority students with this dynamic, educational program packed with leadership enhancement opportunities. In the spirit of the Olympic Ideals of persistence, vision, focus, discipline and commitment, F.L.A.M.E. is designed to inspire minority college students to cultivate their desire to succeed and rise above the ordinary. The young men and women selected to participate, who already demonstrate a pursuit of excellence within their own communities, have the opportunity to further their personal and professional growth through unique seminars and workshops led by Olympic and Paralympic athletes, USOC and National Governing Body (NGB) leaders and others who have achieved personal, professional or athletic success in life. During the four-day program, F.L.A.M.E. participants will reside in the Olympic Training Center dormitory, eat at the Athlete Dining Hall, and have opportunities to interact with Olympians, Paralympians, and hopefuls daily. The program's itinerary includes motivational presentations by Olympians and Paralympians, leadership seminars conducted by USOC and NGB staff leaders, networking and financial literacy workshops, Olympic/Paralympic sport demonstrations, field trips to local attractions, and information on the USOC College Internship Program. Previous speakers at the F.L.A.M.E. program have included Olympians and Paralympians such as the late five-time Olympian and two-time silver medalist Willye White (1956, '60, '64, '68, '72); the legendary 10,000 meter gold medalist Billy Mills (1960); two-time gold medalist in taekwondo Steven Lopez (2000, '04); and Paralympic track , field bronze medalist April Holmes (2004) to name a few. Presenters for the 2008 session will be announced in the coming weeks. How to Apply Qualified applicants should be minority undergraduate or graduate students (ages 18-24) who have demonstrated leadership through academics, athletics and community involvement. Special consideration will be given to applicants pursuing a degree in the field of sport management. Additionally, applicants must have a minimum college grade point average (GPA) of 2.75. Applications are available online at 63.241.144.243/flame or by calling USOC Associate Director of Community Relations Erica Hutchinson at 719-866-4604. The application deadline is April 11, 2008, and selection announcements will be made no later than May 15, 2008. For more information, please contact the USOC Communications Division at 719-866-4529.