U.S. Olympic Committee Celebrates 21st Anniversary of FLAME Program

The United States Olympic Committee today announced the 53 minority student leaders from high schools, colleges and universities across the country who were selected to participate in the 21st annual FLAME (Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere) Program. The 2014 collegiate program will be held July 8-18, followed by the high school program from July 20-24 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center and Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

FLAME is designed to inspire minority high school and college students to pursue careers within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movements. Those chosen to participate have already demonstrated a pursuit of excellence within their own communities and will have the opportunity to further their personal and professional growth by connecting with Olympic and Paralympic athletes, USOC and National Governing Body leaders.

The program provides students with an in-depth look at the Olympic and Paralympic movements and personal exploration of the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect. The program also offers a pathway for talented youth to become further involved in the Olympic and Paralympic movements, either through the USOC’s internship program, or other career and volunteer opportunities.

Participants in this year’s program represent two countries and 22 states across the United States. During the 17-day program, FLAME participants will reside and eat alongside U.S. Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls at the OTC. The program will include motivational presentations, leadership seminars, and networking and financial-literacy workshops.

Speakers at the 2014 program include two-time Olympic medalist Mark Crear (track & field; 1996, 2000); three-time Olympian Katrina McClain (basketball; 1998, 1992, 1996); John Register, U.S. Paralympics associate director of community and military programs and Paralympic silver medalist (track & field, 2000); Paralympian Ralph Green (alpine skiing; 2006, 2010, 2014); Olympian Cindy Stinger (team handball, 1984, 1988, 1992); Wade Davis, former NFL player and executive director of the You Can Play Project; and USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. 

In addition, the program will host two banquets featuring two-time Olympic medalist Derek Parra (speedskating, 2002) and Olympic gold-medalist Dan O’Brien (decathlon; 1996) as the keynote speakers for the high school and college programs. Also, thanks to support from Drs. Tej and Simran Singh, the 2014 program will feature an address from Rosa Gatti, former Sr. vice president of communications counsel and corporate outreach at ESPN, as the first FLAME Invited Speaker Award recipient. 

Additional activities will include a sport demonstration from 2004 Olympic fencer and FLAME program alumni Ivan Lee, a Paralympic sport experience, a trip up the Pikes Peak Cog Railway and a hike through Garden of the Gods. 

FLAME College Class of 2014

FLAME High School Class of 2014