The “Silver State” is the latest state to form a Chapter of the U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association. The Nevada Chapter’s creation is the result of the decade-long effort of the Reno Tahoe Winter Games Coalition to enhance the scope of the Olympic Movement throughout the region and growing relationships with the Northern California Olympians Association and Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee.
The idea for a Nevada Chapter gained further momentum earlier this year during a gathering of more than two dozen Olympians from throughout the western states at a reception during the World Financial Group Continental Cup of Curling in Las Vegas, hosted by the RTWGC. From there, a small group of Olympians worked directly with United States Olympic Committee Alumni Relations Manager Cindy Stinger, also an Olympian, to form the Chapter.
“We are thrilled to launch our new Nevada Chapter of the USOPA and Olympic Day is the perfect time to celebrate the Olympic values and inspire kids to try new sports,” said Dean Willeford, President of the Nevada Chapter. Willeford, a Reno resident, was a member of the 1968 U.S. Olympic men’s water polo team.
Two other Reno residents will be the Chapter’s vice presidents: Jill Savery, a member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic synchronized swimming gold medal winning team, and Torrey Palmer, a two-time world champion and member of the U.S. women’s rowing team at the 2000 Sydney Games.
The new chapter, bringing together Olympians and Paralympians living in Nevada to promote the Olympic values and initiate programs and partnerships to inspire young people in our communities.
