Alumni at the OlympiCCs

By Benjamin K. Scott

T he Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta have mobilized the talents of thousands of Americans. And, of course, many of these people have been working for years to make the '96 games a reality. We caught up with some of the Colorado College alumni who are part of that effort.

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Sierra Blackwelder '95 was working for a lobbyist in Washington, D.C., when she was offered the opportunity serve as pilot driver for the Olympic Torch Relay. From April 27 until the July 19 opening ceremonies, the Olympic flame wound its way from California to Georgia. Four pilot cars took turns escorting the Olympic flame and traveling in advance of the procession to mark the route. Early in the trip, Blackwelder carried the torch and ran through San Luis Obispo, Calif.

As an intern with the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, Sarah Rice '96 also traveled with the Torch Relay. She served as a host on the torchbearers' shuttle and hoped to continue in some capacity once the flame arrived in Atlanta.

Anyone who has lived through the barrage of advertising that accompanies the Olympics knows that corporate sponsorship and licensed merchandise are big business. For six years, Jim Grice '87 has worked for the United States Olympic Committee. As Manager of Corporate Participation, he is responsible for securing corporate sponsorship, and helping companies maximize the potential of their investment in the Olympics. This summer, he traveled to Atlanta as part of the USOC's on-site promotional division.

Randy Holmes '92 joined Atlanta Centennial Olympic Properties as an intern shortly after graduation. He is now a Sponsor Protection Coordinator and spent his summer trying to stamp out the sale of counterfeit merchandise and unauthorized use of trademarks.

Together, Atlanta's nine Olympic villages will house more than 11,000 athletes, 5,000 officials and 12,000 members of the event staff. Managing Olympic accommodations has become something of a full-time job for Steve Kittell '73, Atlanta's Executive Director of Olympic Villages. It takes about six years to plan each village, and this is his fourth games. After 10 years in the hotel business, Kittell managed the villages at the Los Angeles games and served as Primary Village Consultant in Calgary and Barcelona. He recently signed a contract to manage accommodations for the 2002 Winter Olympiad in Salt Lake City.

Richard Quincy '86 was recently named to the Olympic medical staff, and has been assigned to the men's soccer team. One of 40 members of the staff, Quincy was selected from an initial applicant pool of 600. His selection is the culmination of a four year certification process that began with a volunteer experience at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, and included service at a U.S. Olympic Festival. Quincy has participated in two Olympic Festivals, as well as last year's World University Games in Japan. An athletic trainer and sports therapist at CC, he travels with the Tiger hockey team and teaches a course in biomechanics.

A past president of the United States Olympic Committee and chief executive officer of El Pomar Foundation, Bill Hybl '64 will travel to Atlanta as a member of the USOC delegation. Since USOC presidents are prohibited from holding consecutive office, Hybl will be a candidate for the position after a term off. The election will be held in November.

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