The awards are due be presented at a celebratory dinner on the final day of the 2014 US Olympic and Paralympic Assembly at the Hilton Chicago on Friday (September 25).

Three-time Olympic triple jumper Banks, who held a world record jump of 17.97 metres for more than a decade between 1985 and 1995, before it was beaten by Great Britain's Jonathon Edwards, was named the Olympic Torch Award honouree.

The Olympic Torch Award recognises an individual who has positively impacted the Olympic Movement by promoting the Olympic Ideals.

Banks, who is known for the triple jump by encouraging rhythmic clapping from the crowd, will be presented the, has served 11 years with the US Olympians and Paralympians Association, and oversaw the organisation's integration of Paralympics during his second term as President.

A member of the World Olympians Association, 58-year-old Banks has also served in several leadership roles at USA Track and Field, where he now sits on the Board of Directors.

Lucas Euser will receive the Jack Kelly Fair Play Award following his decision to abandon the 2014 US National Road Cycling Championships after crashing with his training partner and two-time Olympian Taylor Phinney ©Getty Images



Euser will be the recipient of the Jack Kelly Fair Play Award, named after late USOC President and Melbourne 1956 rowing bronze medallist, which recognises an athlete, coach or official for an outstanding act of fair play and sportsmanship.

He receives the award following his selfless decision to abandon the 2014 US National Road Cycling Championships after crashing with his training partner and two-time Olympian Taylor Phinney.

Euser walked away from the crash, but Phinney was unable to continue after suffering a double fracture in his left leg.

Although they were representing different teams, Euser ended the race to attend to Phinney until medical assistance arrived.

Albertville 1992 Olympic figure skating champion Yamaguchi will be presented with the Rings of Gold awards, which recognise an individual and a programme dedicated to helping children develop their Olympic or Paralympic dreams, and reach their highest athletic and personal potential.

The American Hall of Famer,43, embodies what it means to be a champion through her Always Dream Foundation, which aims to support disadvantaged children in her native Bay Area, it is claimed.

The foundation's Always Reading programme focuses on advancing early childhood literacy, while the Always Dream Play Park is designed to assist children with disabilities fulfil their potential through fitness and recreation.

Kristi Yamaguchi will receive the individual Rings of Gold award ©Getty Images





The programme side of the Rings of Gold award will be received by the University of Central Oklahoma's Endeavor Games, a nationally recognised competition that allows all athletes with physical disabilities and visual impairments to participate in a multi-sport event.

The 15th edition of the Games were held in 2014, attracting more than 300 competitors from nearly 40 states across the country.

The Friday awards dinner is due to feature six-time Olympic gold medalist Amy Van Dyken-Rouen, who is currently recovering from a horrific car accident, as the keynote speaker.

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