West Palm Beach, FL - USA Wrestling has announced that the U.S. Olympic Team for freestyle wrestling will be traveling to Palm Beach County for two pre-Olympic training sessions, one in June and one in July of 2004.    The U.S. Olympic teams visits will coincide with the Palm Beach County Community Olympic Development Program's First Annual Youth Wrestling Training Camps as well as a USA Wrestling National Coaches Education Program (NCEP) Silver Level Coaches College.     The Olympic freestyle wrestlers' first trip to the area will be June 12-17, to prepare for a pre-Olympic competition. The wrestlers then return to West Palm Beach from July 26th - August 6th for some final training preparations before the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. The freestyle wrestlers will compete in the Olympics from August 27-29.    The United States is one of the best freestyle wrestling nations in the world. The team will be led by Olympic Coaches Kevin Jackson of Colorado Springs, Colo., Tom Brands of Iowa City, Iowa, and Zeke Jones of Morgantown, W.Va.    Three different training camps over the two month period will give South Florida youth athletes the opportunity to learn from the best wrestlers and coaches in the country. Not only will local wrestlers be able to observe real Olympic training sessions, but they will also have the opportunity to meet the athletes and coaches. The youth camps are presented by the Palm Beach County Sports Institute, and supported by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.    The first Community Olympic Development Program (CODP) Wrestling Camp will be held June 14th -18th.  The camp will be open to wrestlers from around the County between the levels of Kindergarten and 12th grade.  Campers will be able to spend the night at CODP accommodations or commute daily, depending on their needs.  The next camp training sessions will be held July 26th - August 6th and will be split up into two separate groups, another Youth Training Camp and an Elite Intensive Camp open only to varsity level athletes. The youth camps will be open to 125 wrestlers each, while the elite session will be limited to 50 attendees. Space is restricted for the sessions and all reservations will be first come first serve.    USA Wrestling will also host a NCEP Silver Level Coaches College alongside the U.S. Olympic Team training camp from July 30-Aug. 3. The Silver Level Coaches College is a unique event that gives coaches a tremendous opportunity to learn from the best coaches and athletes nationally. To become Silver Certified, coaches must attend a National Coaches College. For information on the NCEP Coaches College, contact Ted Witulski of USA Wrestling at 719-598-8181.    CODP Wrestling Coach/Administrator Chris Doherty will be working with Team USA and will also be coaching the youth wrestling clinics. Chris is an extremely accomplished wrestler and coach, and is one of only 20 people in the entire United States who is a USA Wrestling NCEP Gold Certified Coach.     The U.S. Olympic Team in freestyle wrestling will not be determined until the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Wrestling at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Ind., May 21-23.    There are seven weight classes in international freestyle wrestling, and only one athlete from each weight class makes the U.S. Olympic team. The Olympic wrestlers will participate in both of the camps in Palm Beach County. The Olympians and one training partner at each weight class will participate in the first training camp. The entire USA Wrestling National Freestyle Team, which includes three athletes at each weight class, will attend the second training camp.    "We are excited about it," said National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson. "The change in environment will do us good. Dealing with different conditions is what we face internationally. The committee in Florida is working hard to meet all of our needs, and go beyond that. This training plan will give us a different perspective. We will also be able to train in a little heat and humidity. With this kind of preparation, we will be ready for everything once we get to Athens."    "This is a tremendous opportunity, not only for the CODP Wrestling Program, but also for the youth wrestlers of South Florida.  They will have the chance to learn from the best in the country," said Pam Gerig-Bland, Executive Director of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.  "We are truly honored to host an event of this magnitude and to have the heart of the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team right here in Palm Beach County."    All training sessions and camps will take place at the John Raich Wrestling Center at Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach. The center was designed by the late Dr. Harold Nichols, the renowned Iowa State wrestling coach. The Raich family has been an ardent supporter of the CODP Wrestling Program since its inception. The center was built at Cardinal Newman in the memory of John Raich.     "It is a benefit for all three styles, based upon the heavy use of the wrestling room at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs," said National Teams Director Mitch Hull. "The freestyle team training in Florida provides more time for each team to practice and prepare for the Olympics. Freestyle will be able to set its own training schedule at another outstanding site."     About the CODP Program  The Palm Beach County Community Olympic Development Program (CODP) is a community outreach collaboration between the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), national governing bodies and the Palm Beach County Sports Institute in which young athletes are introduced to Olympic sports through community-based initiatives.  Through this collaboration, motivated and talented athletes receive high quality training, coaching and competitive opportunities that they wouldn't otherwise receive.      The mission of the Palm Beach County Community Olympic Development Program is to work with national governing bodies, the USOC, municipalities and community-based organizations throughout the County to create grassroots, feeder and club programs and to enhance high quality intermediate sports programs for talented youth to maximize their potential in Olympic sports. The Sports Institute has signed agreements with the USOC and with USA Canoe/Kayak, USA Wrestling and USA Table Tennis.    For more information on the U.S. Wrestling Team visit to West Palm Beach or the CODP Youth Wrestling Camps, contact Chris Doherty at the Palm Beach County Sports Institute. Phone # 561-233-1015 Ext. 518.  For Sponsorship and patronship info, please contact the Palm Beach County Sports Institute, Palm Beach County Sports Commission, and the Community Olympic Development Program, at 561-233-1015 or visit www.palmbeachsports.com or www.pbccodp.com.    About USA Wrestling  USA Wrestling is the national governing body of amateur wrestling in the United States, and a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and the international wrestling federation FILA. USA Wrestling conducts grassroots and elite wrestling programs across the country, and works to create interest and participation in the sport.