The United States Olympic and Paralympic Foundation (USOPE) today announced the winners of its three awards, which will be presented during its annual awards ceremony at the New York Athletic Club in New York City.
Dale Newbergerwith a lifetime of service to aquatics and the Olympic ideals, will receive the George M. Steinbrenner III Sports Leadership Award; Mary Lou Retton, a 1984 Olympic gold medal gymnast and fitness ambassador, will be honored with the William E. Simon Award; Wrestler with world and Olympic medals, Bruce Baumgartner, will receive the General Douglas MacArthur Award. Each of these individuals will be honored for their commitment and contributions to the Olympic and Paralympic movements.
Dale Newberger has held a variety of local leadership roles in watersports, including President of U.S. Watersports; President of USA Swimming. And Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Internationally, he has held leadership roles at the World Aquatics Games and served as a technical delegate within the International Olympic Committee for five Olympic Games. He served for eight years as a member of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and a member of its Executive Committee for four years. The Steinbrenner Award is given annually to honor outstanding members of the Olympic and Paralympic family who have contributed to sport through administration, sport organizing endeavors or enhancing competitive opportunities; Who have demonstrated leadership, ethical behavior and dedicated responsibility through a long-term commitment to the sport.
Mary Lou Retton catapulted to international fame, igniting a new era of American dominance in gymnastics during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics when she became the first American woman to win a gold medal in gymnastics, scoring two perfect scores along the way. With five medals, the most by any athlete during the 1984 Olympics, she went on to win numerous national and international competitions and became the first woman to appear on the famous Wheaties box. I retired from
Competing in 1986 but is still deeply involved in the gymnastics community and is popular
A motivational speaker who travels the world as a fitness ambassador, promoting the benefits of proper exercise
Nutrition and regular exercise. The Simon Prize is awarded to the individual or group who has done so
Extraordinary contributions to the advancement of the Olympic and Paralympic movements.
Bruce Baumgartner is one of only eight athletes in American history to medal in four different Olympics. With five international titles, nine World Championship medals and four Olympic medals (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze), he has won the most World and Olympic medals among American wrestlers. At the 1984 Olympics, he became the Olympic champion and America’s first gold medalist in 60 years in super heavyweight wrestling, and went on to compete in three more Olympic Games, earning three additional Olympic medals. Bruce served as the Head Wrestling Coach and Director of Athletics at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where he established numerous scholarships for student-athletes and currently serves as President of the USA Wrestling Federation. The Douglas MacArthur Award recognizes an individual who has provided exemplary service to the United States Olympic Committee and its athletes.
USOPE was created by the USOPC in 1984 to manage and invest in a pool of talented people
Funds generated from the surplus of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Non-profit organization,
Its goal is to support the USOPC and its member organizations, with the overall goal of strengthening…
Olympic and Paralympic sports in the United States. As a separate entity from the USOPC, USOPC’s net assets have risen to approximately $235 million, while grants have been awarded to the USOPC and its member organizations totaling $374 million over the past 39 years.
-The above press release was published by Swimming World in collaboration with USOPE. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.
The United States Organization for People and Sports Excellence (USOPE) recently bestowed its prestigious Sports Leadership Award on Dale Newberger in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the sports community. As a respected figure in the industry, Newberger has demonstrated exemplary leadership and dedication, making a lasting impact on the development and promotion of sports. His unwavering commitment to excellence and his remarkable achievements have truly set him apart as a role model for athletes and sports enthusiasts alike.