Member News

January 22, 2006

U.S. Olympic Committee Announces 13th Annual F.L.A.M.E. Program

For the past 12 years, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), in partnership with its dedicated Olympic sponsors, has empowered minority students with a one-of-a-kind experience - the F.L.A.M.E. (Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere) program.  The USOC is proud to continue this tradition with the 13th session of F.L.A.M.E., which will be held at the U.S. Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs June 9-11, 2006.

The F.L.A.M.E. program was developed to help educate, encourage and demonstrate to minority youth that any goal is attainable through commitment and perseverance.  The young men and women selected to participate will have already demonstrated the pursuit of excellence within their own communities through achievements in academics, sport, leadership and community service.  Once in the F.L.A.M.E. program, they will be exposed to the ideals and values of the Olympic Movement, thereby furthering their personal and professional development.

This year, the F.L.A.M.E. program will focus on freshmen and sophomore college students instead of the previously targeted high school student population.  This change will better position F.L.A.M.E. as a conduit to the USOC College Internship program, which is directed toward college juniors and seniors.  During the three-day program, F.L.A.M.E. participants will live like an Olympic hopeful (without the rigorous physical training).  They will reside in an Olympic Training Center dormitory, eat at the athlete training table and have opportunities to interact with athletes throughout each day.  The itinerary includes motivational speakers (Olympians, Paralympians, educators and business executives), diversity workshops, interactive sport demonstrations, fieldtrips to local attractions and information on how to apply for the USOC College Internship program.  For many, the F.L.A.M.E. experience has been life-changing.

While elite athlete participants have not yet been confirmed for the 2006 program, previous speakers have included the legendary 10,000 meter gold medalist Billy Mills (1960); gold medal basketball superstar Theresa Edwards (1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000); taekwondo powerhouse Steven Lopez (2000, 2004); Paralympic track & field medalist April Holmes (2004); and many more.

How to Apply
Qualified applicants must be between the ages of 18-21 and have completed either their freshman or sophomore year in college.  Additionally, they must have a minimum college grade point average (GPA) of 2.75.  Applications are available online at www.usolympicteam.com/flame or by calling the F.L.A.M.E. Committee at 719-866-4604.  The application deadline is March 31, 2006 and selection announcements will be made no later than May 1, 2006.