Member News

December 9, 2007 

USA Judo Olympic Hopefuls Participate in Olympic Ambassador Program in Los Angeles

2007 World Team members Adler Volmar, Marti Malloy and Taraje Williams-Murray (standing) and Jeanette Rodriguez and Carrie Chandler (front).

Chandler, Olympic Gold Medalist Vonetta Flowers, Volmar and Williams-Murray.

Williams-Murray, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Brandi Chastain and Chandler.

Chandler and three-time Olympian Kevin Han.

Nine former World Team members participated in a new program from Nov. 16-17 in Los Angeles designed to prepare them for the responsibilities associated with representing the United States at the Olympic Games.  

Gymnasts, judo players and track athletes were among the contingent of Olympians and hopefuls attending the two-day program in which athletes participate in sessions to better understand what it means to be an ambassador for their sport and their country in Beijing .  

The program included both presentations and interactive sessions on topics including:  

• Tara Cunningham (Nott), Weighlifting gold medalist in 2000
• Vonetta Flowers, Bobsledding gold medalist in 2002 and the first African American to win a gold medal in a Winter Olympic Games
• Rulon Gardner, Wrestling gold medalist in 2000 and bronze medalist in 2004
• Brandi Chastain, Soccer gold medalist in 1996 and 2004
• John Naber, Swimming four-time gold medalist in 1976
• Andrew Valmon, Track and field two-time gold medalist in 1988 and 1992
• Sarah Noriega, Volleyball team member in 2000
• Kevin Han, Badminton team member in 1996, 2000 and 2004
• Peter Vidmar, Gymnastics three-time medalist in 1984

The Los Angeles program was the second of four sessions with two more to follow in San Francisco (January 25-26, 2008) and Chicago (May 9-10)  

Sessions were led by a group of some of the most respected Olympians in U.S. history:  

• Tara Cunningham (Nott), Weightlifting gold medalist in 2000
• Vonetta Flowers, Bobsledding gold medalist in 2002 and the first African American to win a gold medal in a Winter Olympic Games
• Rulon Gardner, Wrestling gold medalist in 2000 and bronze medalist in 2004
• Brandi Chastain, Soccer gold medalist in 1996 and 2004
• John Naber, Swimming four-time gold medalist in 1976
• Andrew Valmon, Track and field two-time gold medalist in 1988 and 1992
• Sarah Noriega, Volleyball team member in 2000
• Kevin Han, Badminton team member in 1996, 2000 and 2004
• Peter Vidmar, Gymnastics three-time medalist in 1984  

USA Judo athletes in attendance were as follows:

• Carrie Chandler ( Glenville , N.Y. / NYAC / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center ), 2005 and 2007 World Team member in the 52kg division
• Justin Flores ( Glenville , N.Y. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center ), 2005 and 2007 World Team member in the 66kg division
• Valerie Gotay (Harlingen, Texas / USA Judo National Training Site at Harlingen), 2005 and 2007 World Team member in the 57kg division, 1992 Olympian and 1991 World Team member in the 48kg division
• Marti Malloy ( San Jose , Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University ), 2007 World Team member in the 63kg division
• Jeanette Rodriguez ( Coral Springs , Fla. / USA Judo National Training Site at North Miami ), 2007 World Team member in the 48kg division
• Travis Stevens ( Glenville , N.Y. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center ), 2007 World Team member in the 81kg division
• Adler Volmar ( Coral Springs , Fla. / USA Judo National Training Site at North Miami ), 2007 World Team member in the 100kg division
• Taraje Williams-Murray ( Bronx , N.Y. / NYAC / Spartak Sports Club), 2007 and 2005 World Team member in the 60kg division