COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. - Olympians Matt Ghaffari, Teresa Edwards, Debbi Thomas, Paralympian Bonnie St. John Deane and others will conduct a series of motivational seminars, relating their experience and offering encouragement and advice to 52 minority youth leaders selected as part of the United States Olympic Committee's eighth annual F.L.A.M.E. (Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere) program.    Thirty-one students will attend the program July 11-15 at the U.S. Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs, Colo., with an additional 21 youth leaders chosen to participate in the first F.L.A.M.E. program held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. July 26-29.    "It is an inspiration to meet these outstanding young people and be able to encourage them to achieve their dreams by passing them the torch of hope and seeing them succeed, " notes Matt Ghaffari, (Greco-Roman wrestling silver medalist, 1996 Olympic Games) a longtime mentor of the F.L.A.M.E. program. "This is an opportunity for these individuals to be exposed to life outside of their immediate community and see first-hand that all things are possible."    Participants are selected for the program in part based upon their academic and athletic achievements, leadership skills and involvement in their communities. During the program they will have the opportunity of a lifetime to interact with Olympians and Paralympians as well as Olympic hopefuls training to compete in future Games, learn about the Olympic Movement and participate in educational workshops.    Sessions also will include sport-specific demonstrations.    "The F.L.A.M.E. program delivers a powerful life lesson to these dynamic leaders through its unique blending of leadership skill development, positive and realistic role modeling and an ongoing presence in their futures," said Herman R. Frazier, an Olympic gold medalist and a USOC Vice President. "We are able to demonstrate first-hand that goals can be reached by adhering to the Olympic ideals of persistence, vision, focus, discipline and commitment."    The program was established in 1994 to educate, encourage and demonstrate to minority student leaders that any goal is attainable through perseverance. Over 175 minority student leaders have participated in the program since its inception and many alumni continue to stay involved with the program.    At Colorado Springs, the program will include a seminar conducted by Monster.com on the F.L.A.M.E. website and the many features available to assist youth in developing resumes, job search skills, internships and information on career choices for the minority youth. In addition to career guidance, participants will also receive advice on college preparation during separate sessions, including how to study for  college entrance exams and how to apply for USOC and sponsor organization internship programs. The Center for Sport Psychology will conduct workshops on leadership assessment, maximizing leadership skills and exploring the impact of their behavior on the success and/or failure of the team challenge put before them.    In Chula Vista, seminars conducted by the University of San Diego will include leadership assessment and development, effective communication and conflict resolution.    Since its inception, the F.L.A.M.E. program has attracted a passionate and dedicated volunteer team of supporters comprised of U.S. Olympic Team members, Paralympians, Olympic hopefuls, USOC volunteers and corporate sponsors.    Several corporate sponsors who share the USOC's commitment to the development of today's minority student leaders are supporting this year's program.  They include AT&T, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, John Hancock, Panasonic, Texaco, VISA and Xerox.    In addition to Edwards (basketball gold medalist 2000, 1996, 1988 and 1984 Olympic Games, silver medalist 1992) Ghaffari  (greco-roman wrestling silver medalist 1996 Olympic Games), Thomas (figure skating bronze medalist 1988 Olympic Games), St. John Deane (downhill skiing silver and bronze medalist 1984 Paralympic Games), and Frazier (athletics 1976/gold and bronze medalist 1980 Olympic Games, and a USOC Vice President) Olympians, Paralympians and Olympic hopefuls who have committed to the 2001 F.L.A.M.E. program include Billy Mills (1964 Olympic Games 10,000m gold medalist), Jennifer Rodriguez (speedskater 1998 Olympic  Games), Willye White (athletics 1956/silver medalist, 1960, 1964/silver medalist, 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games), Giddeon Massie (cycling), Olympic Games), and Tonie Campbell (athletics 1980, 1984 and bronze medalist 1988 Olympic Games). Also participating will be USOC President Emeritus Dr. LeRoy Walker.