By David Gold

USOC_FLAME_02-08-11August 4 - Thirty minority student leaders from colleges and universities have taken part in the US Olympic Committee's (USOC) 2011 Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere (FLAME) initiative to demonstrate a desire to pursue excellence and the ambition to further their personal and professional development.


Designed to inspire minority college students, the FLAME programme took place at the Olympic Training Centre in Colorado and gave students an inside look at the Olympic Movement, as well as a greater understanding of Olympic values, such as persistence, commitment, vision, focus and determination.

Twenty-seven colleges and universities were represented at the programme, with participants residing alongside US Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and taking advantage of a range of motivational presentations, seminars and networking opportunities.

Track and field Olympic silver medallist Judi Brown Clarke and three-time Olympic handball player Cindy Stinger spoke at the programme, as well as track and field Paralympic hopeful Kortney Clemons and USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun.

A banquet with keynote speaker Vonetta Flowers, the two-time Olympian and gold medal winning bobsledder, was held, while other top athletes, including fencers Jason Pryor and Ivan Lee, held a number of live sports demonstrations.

Talented youngsters also have the opportunity to become involved in the Olympic Movement through USOC's internship programme or other volunteer opportunities.

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