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US Bobsled and Skeleton Federation

WOMEN’S BOBSLED AND MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SKELETON ADDED TO 2002 OLYMPIC GAMES

Lake Placid, N. Y.--The International Olympic Committee approved the addition of women's bobsled and men's and women's skeleton to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. This announcement was made at the IOC's meeting in Athens, Greece on Saturday, October 2.

President of the United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, Jim Morris, was pleased to hear the announcement. "This is something that we've been working on for a long time, and it's something I feel is overdue," Morris said. "It is a plus for everybody."

Skeleton (a head first version of luge) has been in the Olympic Games twice before, in 1928 and 1948, but women's bobsled will be making its debut in 2002. The Salt Lake City Organizing Committee asked at the IOC meetings held in Seoul, South Korea in June, for the inclusion of the sports, but the IOC said that it needed more information in order to proceed.

"The inclusion of the sports has been a long time coming," said Matt Roy, executive director of USBSF. "Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard for this."

USA I women's bobsled driver Jean Racine (Waterford, Mich.) expressed her gratitude as well. "I would like to thank the SLOC, the USOC and the IOC for allowing us to participate in the ultimate competition," said Racine.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to represent our country and participate in the Olympics when they are in my hometown," said brakeman Jen Davidson (Layton, Utah).

1999 Skeleton World Champion Jim Shea Jr. (Lake Placid, N. Y.) has worked to become an Olympian for years. "I am excited and plan on working very hard to follow in my father's and grandfather's footsteps as a third generation Olympian," Shea said.

Shea's father, Jim Sr. was a 1964 Olympian in Nordic Combined, and his grandfather, Jack Shea, was a double medalist in speed skating at the 1932 Olympics in Lake Placid, N. Y.

Steve Holcomb (Park City, Utah), a skeleton and bobsled athlete, was happy to hear the news. "I am thrilled that skeleton is finally an Olympic sport," he said.

Most athletes agreed that the announcement brought not only excitement, but relief as well.

Juleigh Walker (Westport. N. Y.), a nine-time women's Skeleton National Champion said, "It has been a long battle. We have been close each time, so this is a lot of work that's finally paying off, especially for all the old time sliders."

"It has been a long wait," Jill Bakken (Park City, Utah), USA II driver, agreed. "But it is well worth it. Now we can focus on 2002."

Bill Tavares, women's National Team coach, is extremely happy with the announcement. "I am excited for all the women who have put so much into the sport. It has been a long time coming, and wouldn't have happened without the tremendous support of Stew Flaherty, women's program director," said Tavares.

"We have had a lot of success in Utah already," Racine said. "And as a team, we are extremely confident that we can win on the home track in 2002."