Jenny Thompson & Gary Hall, Jr. into USOC Hall of Fame
The United States Olympic Committee today announced that swimmers Gary Hall Jr. and Jenny Thompson will be inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2012. The class, partially determined by fan voting, is comprised of six Olympians, one Paralympian, one team, and three additional individuals: a coach, veteran and a special contributor.
In addition to Hall and Thompson, the list of inductees includes Gail Devers (track & field), Jean Driscoll (Paralympic track & field), Lisa Fernandez (softball), Kristine Lilly (soccer), Dan O'Brien (track & field), the 2004 U.S. Olympic Women's Softball Team, Ed Temple (coach - track & field), James Connolly (veteran - track & field) and Ted Stevens (special contributor).
Hall Jr. followed in the footsteps of his famous father, competing in three Olympic Games and earning 10 Olympic medals, including five gold medals.
Hall Jr. was a two-time Olympic gold and silver medalist at the 1996 Atlanta Games before he was diagnosed with Type I diabetes in 1999. He set an American record in the 50 meter freestyle at 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials before winning back-to-back gold medals in Sydney and Athens. Hall was also a three-time member of the gold-medal winning men's 400-meter freestyle relay team.
Out of the pool, Hall has been an advocate for diabetes research and serves as the spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association.
“The honor of joining such esteemed company in the Olympic Hall of Fame is more than words can describe,” Hall Jr. said. “This is the highest honor bestowed upon any athlete. I am humbled and deeply appreciative to all of those that supported me through my career.”
During a record-setting Olympic career, Thompson amassed an incredible 12 medals - including eight gold medals - a mark that still stands as the most for a female Olympic swimmer in history.
Thompson made her first appearance on the international scene at age 14, winning the 50-meter freestyle and placing third in the 100-meter freestyle at the 1987 Pan American Games. She won her first world championship in 1991 as part of Team USA's winning 4x100-meter freestyle relay team, and broke the world record in the 50 and 100 meters in the 1992 Olympic Games. Thompson won two gold medals as part of the 4x100-meter freestyle and 4x100-meter medley teams.
Between 1997 and 1999, Thompson won eight more world championship titles, including three in a row in the 100-meter freestyle. In the 2000 Olympic Games, Thompson and her 4x100-meter freestyle and medley teams set new world records. That same year, she also broke the world record in the 100-meter butterfly for the fourth time.
At age 31, Thompson was the oldest member of the 2004 U.S. Swimming Team, when she competed in her fourth Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. She anchored the 400-meter freestyle relay team that set a national record of 3:36.39 and earned a silver medal.
In 2006, she received a medical degree from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The Class of 2012 was determined by a voting process that includes Olympians, Paralympians, members of the Olympic Family and a public voting element. The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame is one of the only national sports halls of fame that includes fan voting as part of its selection process. This year more than 100,000 votes were cast at TeamUSA.org.
"The Class of 2012 inductees have provided fans of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams with countless inspiring moments, and it's an honor to welcome them to the U.S Olympic Hall of Fame, where both their achievements and impact will be celebrated," said Scott Blackmun, USOC chief executive officer. "We congratulate them on their accomplishments and thank them for their commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Movements."
The Class of 2012 is the 15th class to be inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and will bring the total membership to 96 Olympians, five Paralympians, 10 teams, four coaches, 10 veterans, 16 contributors and two Olive Branch award inductees.
The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2012 will be formally introduced and honored on July 12 during an awards ceremony at the Harris Theater in Chicago. The ceremony, hosted by Jimmy Roberts and Alex Flanagan, will air in a nationally-televised broadcast on NBC Sports Network on August 24 at 7 p.m. ET. Additional event details, including media access and registration information, will be available soon.
