Boitano selected to serve on president’s delegation in Sochi
SK ATES Brian Boitano has gone to three Olympic
Winter Games as a competitive fi gure skater, win- ning the gold medal in 1988. This month, 20 years after he last competed as an Olympian, Boitano will return to the Winter Games as a member of President Barack Obama’s delegation in Sochi. Boitano, who turned 50 in October, will join
University of California President Janet A. Napoli- tano, U.S. ambassador to the Russian Federation Michael A. McFaul, assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for policy Robert L. Nabors and tennis hall of famer Billie Jean King at the Opening Ceremony in Sochi. The announcement was made on Dec. 17.
Two days later, Boitano issued a statement not only recognizing the honor of being chosen to be a part of the president’s delegation but also to come out publicly as a gay man. Billie Jean King is openly gay, as is Caitlin Cahow, an Olympic hockey medalist who is part of the president’s delegation for the Closing Ceremony. Having gay athletes as part of the president’s delegation made headlines around the world because Russian president Vladimir Putin has staunchly supported a controversial law that bans homosexual propaganda. “It is my desire to be defi ned by my achievements and my contributions,” Boita- no said in his statement. “While I am proud to play a public role in representing the American Olympic Delegation as a former Olympic athlete, I have always reserved my private life for my family and friends and will continue to do so. “I am many things: a son, a brother, and uncle, a friend, an athlete, a cook, an au-
thor, and being gay is just one part of who I am. First and foremost I am an American athlete and I am proud to live in a country that encourages diversity, openness and tolerance. As an athlete, I hope we can remain focused on the Olympic spirit which celebrates achievement in sport by peoples of all nations.”
— Amy Rosewater HQ Profi le: Donna Brown I am the project assistant for the Membership
Department. I fi ll Basic Skills and new membership orders, as well as work on big mailing projects such as National Skating Month and skating camp pro- grams. What do you do in your spare time? I enjoy spending time learning to ice skate, riding horses and learning to ride a motorcycle. What would people be surprised to know
about you? I grew up in Minnesota and used to trap mink and ice fi sh with my dad. I also spent many days ice skating on ponds. What do you cherish most? I cherish my fam- ily and the time I get to spend with my children and grandchildren. What’s your favorite part of your job? The
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people I work with. I am also in awe of working in the same building as the Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame, where so much amazing fi gure skating memorabilia is housed. What an inspiration! Tell us about your family: I have four kids ranging in age from 12 to 27 (Olivia, 12; Elizabeth, 16; Hal, 24; and Darnell, 27), as well as my beautiful baby granddaughter, Tay- lynn, who is 1. Hal is on active duty for the Army and is serving in Afghanistan. I grew up with six brothers and sisters, and I am the only sibling who does not live in Minnesota.
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