USOC Re-Launches U.S. Olympic Team Web site usolympicteam.com

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U.S. Olympic Committee ()
01/17/2002


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Catch a Hollywood-like glimpse of the "Olympic 11," and get the low-down and nicknames of your favorite athletes.  Listen to The Air Bergy Show, hosted by gold medal-winning freestyle aerialist, Eric Bergoust.  Create a screen saver with one-of-a kind photos of your favorite athletes.  Looking to dress like an Olympian?  Order a jacket from the official 2002 U.S. Olympic Team clothing line.  All this can be found on the newly re-designed official web site of the U.S. Olympic Team ? www.usolympicteam.com.    Announced today by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), the unveiling of the updated and expanded site is filled with unique content for U.S. Olympic Team fans, including information, unique images and fun downloads that get you in the spirit of the Games and the 2002 U.S. Team. Visitors will find the Olympic store with over 200 items of official U.S. Olympic Team apparel, Salt Lake 2002 and Classic USA merchandise, along with fun features such as photo galleries of more than 70 athletes, video interviews with top athletes from Michelle Kwan to Picabo Street to Jonny Moseley, downloadable wallpaper of over 30 athletes, and biographies of U.S. Olympic Team members.     "All of our athletes have unique stories and personalities," notes Lloyd Ward, chief executive officer of the USOC.  "We've given our web site a new look that reflects the energy, attitude and the personalities that embody the 2002 U.S. Team. Olympic enthusiasts, sports fans, parents and kids will have fun with our newly designed site.  It's created for the kid at any age," added Ward.    In an effort to include athlete input into the project, more than 30 top U.S. athletes were given a sneak preview of the site in October. "It's definitely geared more toward athlete interests and non-athletes will get the scoop on us," said bobsledder Jean Racine.    Olympic Winter Games Coverage  New content and features will be added during the Winter Games, which begin February 8, 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Visitors to the site will be taken "behind the ropes" to get an exclusive insight into the life of the U.S. Olympic Team and will see what happens to athletes after they win a medal.    Daily e-mail previews, photo galleries of the day's top images and wallpaper images of top U.S. performances will all be available.  The site also will offer in-depth information about athletes, their performances, medal counts and a daily spotlight on Olympic legends.    Auction Items  In addition, an auction of approximately 75 items of signed memorabilia from U.S. athletes, including: an autographed banner from Picabo Street, an autographed jersey from 35 U.S. Olympic Team members and NHL stars, autographed team banners from the U.S. luge and figure skating, plus multiple items from the 1996 and 2000 basketball Dream Teams.    Proceeds from the auction will benefit the USOC's Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere (F.L.A.M.E.) program as well as individual sport programs.    During the Games, usolympicteam.com will also offer visitors a chance to register to win a weekend with the U.S. Olympic Team in Washington, D.C. following the completion of the Winter Games.    For Kids: Interactive Section  For young children and parents there will be a special cartoon-like kids section (available starting Feb. 4) dedicated to engaging kids to learn about the Olympic Games, the ideals and values behind the Olympics and the U.S. Olympic Movement.  Through interactive reading books, cartoons and games, kids can learn first-hand about the athletes and the making of an Olympian.