New York Mayor Bloomberg declares it “U.S. Olympic Women’s Wrestling Team Week” as women Olympic wre

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
06/21/2004


New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg declared the week of June 21-28 as 'United States Olympic Team for Women's Freestyle Wrestling Week" and presented a proclamation to the team on Monday, June 21 on Staten Island.    The proclamation was made at the Staten Island Yankees professional baseball game, where Mayor Bloomberg and the women's wrestling team were special guests. Bloomberg and Olympic wrestler Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/New York AC) were among the dignitaries who threw out the first pitch at the baseball game.    USA Wrestling is hosting a  historic pre-Olympic training camp session at the di Silvestri Wrestling Center on the campus of Staten Island's Monsignor Farrell High School. Women's wrestling is the only new sport at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.    Bloomberg met with the team after the third inning of the baseball game, and presented the following proclamation to U.S. Olympic Coach Terry Steiner and the four Olympic athletes: Montgomery, plus Patricia Miranda (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC), Tela O'Donnell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) and Sara McMann (Colorado Springs,     Office of the Mayor  CITY OF NEW YORK    PROCLAMATION    WHEREAS: On Jun 19, New Yorkers cheered as more than 120 outstanding individuals carried the Olympic flame through all five boroughs for the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay. Today, we continue to celebrate the Olympic spirit as we welcom the United States Olympic Team for Women's Freestyle Wrestling to Monsignor Farrell High School for a pre-Olympic Training Camp.    WHERAS: Women's wrestling may be making its Olympic debut at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, but the members of this team have already demonstrated the spirit and dedication of true Olympians. Patricia Miranda is a two-time World silver medalist, a Stanford graduate and a future Yale Law student. Sara McMann was a member of the men's varsity Div. I team at her alma mater, Lock Have Univ., and is a World silver medalist. Toccara Montgomery, a two-time World silver medalist, attends Cumberland College where she is a member of the women's varsity team. Tela O'Donnell, a 2003 National Champion, upset a two-time World silver medalist to secure her place on the team. Their skill, strength and commitment are an inspiration, and with Tricia and Townsend Saunders and Terry Steiner as coaches, these outstanding women will make all Americans proud as they compete in Athens.    WHEREAS: As the members of the United States Olympic Team for Women's Freestyle Wrestling train to pursue their Olympic dreams, they will also motivate young athletes to reach for the stars. Each evening, an athlete or coach affiliated with the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team will teach wrestling skills and strategies to young New Yorkers in clinic sessions. Working with athletes and coaches of this caliber will help these children to develop self-esteem and confidence, and inspire them to become Olympians of tomorrow.    WHEREAS: We are proud to salute the first United States Olympic Team for Women's Freestyle Wrestling as you prepare to make Olympic history, and we cheer you on as you go for the gold!    Now, therefore, I, Michael B. Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York, in recognition of this exciting event, do hereby proclaim June 21-28 in the City of New York aS    "UNITED STATES OLYMPIC TEAM FOR WOMEN'S FREESTYLE WRESTLING WEEK"    Signed  MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG  MAYOR    In witness I have hereunto  Set my hand and used the Seal of  The City of New York to be affixed.