FEB. 20

6 p.m.              Two-man, first heat

7:30 p.m.         Two-man, second heat

FEB. 21

2:30 p.m.         Two-man, third heat

3:45 p.m.         Two-man, fourth heat*

FEB. 23

6 p.m.             Women’s first heat

7 p.m.             Women’s second heat

FEB. 24

6 p.m.             Women’s third heat

7 p.m.             Women’s fourth heat*

FEB. 26

2 p.m.              Four-man, first heat

3:30 p.m.         Four-man, second heat

FEB. 27

2 p.m.              Four-man, third heat

3:15 p.m.         Four-man, fourth heat*

*Denotes medal event

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FEB. 13

2 p.m.             Women’s 7.5-kilometer sprint*

FEB. 14

12:15 p.m.       Men’s 10-kilometer sprint*

FEB. 16

11:30 a.m.       Women’s 10-kilometer pursuit*

1:45 p.m.         Men’s 12.5-kilometer pursuit*

FEB. 18

11 a.m.            Women’s 15-kilometer individual*

2 p.m.              Men’s 20-kilometer individual*

FEB. 21

11:45 a.m.       Men’s 15-kilometer mass start*

2 p.m.             Women’s 12.5-kilometer mass start*

FEB. 23

12:30 p.m.       Women’s 24-kilometer relay*

FEB. 26

12:30 p.m.       Men’s 30-kilometer relay*

*Denotes medal event

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FEB. 13

12:45 p.m.       Men’s downhill*

FEB. 14

11 a.m.            Women’s super combined downhill

2 p.m.              Women’s super combined slalom*

FEB. 16

11 a.m.            Men’s super combined downhill

2:30 p.m.         Men’s super combined slalom*

FEB. 17

12 p.m.            Women’s downhill*

FEB. 19

12:30 p.m.       Men’s super-G*

FEB. 20

11 a.m.            Women’s super-G*

FEB. 21

11 a.m.            Men’s giant slalom, first run

2:45 p.m.         Men’s giant slalom, second run*

FEB. 24

11 a.m.            Women’s giant slalom, first run

2:15 p.m.         Women’s giant slalom, second run*

FEB. 26

11 a.m.            Women’s slalom, first run

2:30 p.m.         Women’s slalom, second run*

FEB. 27

11 a.m.            Men’s slalom, first run

2:45 p.m.         Men’s slalom, second run*

*Denotes medal event

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USOC chairman Larry Probst

It’s no secret the U.S. Olympic Committee has had lots of turnover through the years.

Just how much? Here’s a list of the USOC’s previous chairmen, chief executive officers, chief marketing officers and chief communications officers. The list is courtesy of Mike Moran, who served as COO of the USOC for 24 years.

CHAIRS

Bob Kane (1977-81)

William E. Simon (1981-85)

Jack Kelly (1985, died in office)

Bob Helmick (1985-91, resigned)

Bill Hybl (1991-92, served out Helmick’s term)

Leroy Walker (1992-96)

Bill Hybl (1996-2000)

Sandy Baldwin (2000-2002, resigned May 24, 2002)

Marty Mankamyer (2002-2003, resigned Feb. 5, 2003)

Bill Martin (2003-2004, acting role)

Peter Ueberroth (2004-2008)

Larry Probst (Oct. 2, 2008 – present)

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

F. Don Miller (Feb. 1973 – Feb. 1985)

Gen. George Miller (Feb. 1, 1985 – Aug. 25, 1987)

Baaron Pittenger (1987-88)

Harvey Schiller (Jan. 1, 1988 – Jan. 20, 1988)

Baaron Pittenger (Jan. 20, 1988 – Jan. 1, 1990)

Harvey Schiller (Jan. 1, 1990 – July 26, 1994)

John Krimsky (1994-1995)

Dick Schultz (Sept. 1995 – Feb. 1, 2000)

Norm Blake (Feb. 1, 2000 – Nov. 2000)

Scott Blackmun (Nov. 2000 – Oct. 21, 2001, acting role)

Lloyd Ward (Oct. 22, 2001 – March 1 ,2003)

Jim Scherr (March 2003 – March 5, 2009)

Stephanie Streeter (March 5, 2009 – present)

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICERS

Arthur  Kuman (1976-1986)

John Krimsky (1986-1999)

Dave Ogrean (1999-2000)

Matt Mannelly (2000-2001)

Toby Wong (2001-2002)

Jim Grice (2002-2007)

Rick Burton (2007-2008)

John Pierce (2008)

Lisa Baird (Jan. 12, 2009 – present)

CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS

C. Robert Paul, Jr. (1967-1979)

Mike Moran (Feb. 8, 1979 – Feb. 1, 2003)

Darryl Seibel (2003- June 5, 2009)

Patrick Sandusky (Oct. 2009 – present, acting role)

TWEET OF THE DAY

► USA Track & Field CEO Doug Logan to www.universalsports.com on the USOC: “They don’t go anywhere. You go to them. They don’t come to you.”

Here are other Tweets from Wednesday. Stay updated on Olympic news at http://twitter.com/gazetteolympics

► The latest Olympics notebook: http://bit.ly/zYT69

► The death toll in Rio from weekend clashes with drug traffickers has risen to 32, according to AP. Way to make an impression with the IOC.

► Speedskater Elli Ochowicz to the AP on her 500-meter win in an Olympic qualifier in Milwaukee: “I can’t pick anything out that I did wrong.”

► South Africa is considering a bid for the 2020 Olympics, with Cape Town, Durban or Johannesburg as a potential host, according to the AP.

► Here’s some leadership turnover: The USOC has had 11 chairmen since 1977, 11 CEOs since 1973, nine CMOs since 1976 and four CCOs since 1967.

► Speedskater Tucker Fredricks to the AP on his 500-meter win in an Olympic qualifier: “I’m doing a lot more work. I have a better attitude.”

► In long-track speedskating, Tucker Fredricks and Elli Ochowicz were winners in the 500 meters in an Olympic qualifier in Milwaukee.

► The U.S. women’s curling team, led by Debbie McCormick, lost to Germany 7-6 in the title match of the Grasshopper Women’s Masters in Zurich.

► In luge, Chris Mazdzer and Ashley Walden were victorious in Lake Placid in the first of four qualifying competitions for the World Cup team.

► Ellen Miller, the first U.S. woman to summit Mt. Everest from both sides, will speak today at the International Altitude Training Symposium.

► Wrestler Justin Ruiz on getting upset by Adam Wheeler at the Olympic trials: “It surprised me because I had beaten Adam so many times.”

► USA Team Handball signed a multi-year partnership with TR Travel Team, a German company, to be its international tour and travel partner.

► Speedskater Bruce Conner, 53, on an Olympic qualifier in Milwaukee: “My expectation is to put it all on the line and see what happens.”

► WADA has clarified that supplemental oxygen is not prohibited. WADA’s updated list of prohibited substances goes into effect Jan. 1.

► In Alpine skiing, Julia Mancuso and Vail resident Lindsey Vonn highlight the U.S. field for a World Cup event Nov. 28-29 in Aspen.

► The Irish Times on Chicago 2016’s defeat: “Our American friends? They won’t get the Games again till they get the politics of the Games.”

► 179 teams have registered for the U.S. pond hockey championships from Feb. 12-14 in Eagle River, Wis. There were 196 teams this year.

► Speedskater Shani Davis to AP on his feud with Chad Hedrick at the 2006 Olympics: “There shouldn’t be a rivalry that tears apart the team.”

► The 2012 Youth Olympics, the first winter competition, will feature 63 events in seven sports in Innsbruck, Austria, and nearby Seefeld.

► The Olympic flame will be lit Thursday in Athens, with police on hand to control people against seal hunting in Canada, according to the AP.

► U.S. athletes in cycling, shooting and swimming won’t compete at the inaugural Youth Olympics in August, according to The Washington Post.

► USA Track & Field CEO Doug Logan on his blog about USOC leaders: “They do not mingle after meetings. They do not exchange small gifts.”

► Michael Phelps will compete Dec. 18-19 at the Duel in the Pool in Manchester, England. The U.S. will face England, Germany and Italy.

► Michigan athletic director Bill Martin, a former USOC president, will retire Sept. 4. You couldn’t find a better person for the USOC board.

► A Dutch bank has gone bankrupt, leaving U.S. Speedskating with a budget shortfall exceeding $300,000. A new financial plan is in the works.

► Want to watch Broadmoor member Brandon Mroz at the Rostelecom Cup? Visit www.universalsports.com at 5 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday.

► USA Pentathlon might hold its annual meeting Jan. 31 in San Antonio. The suggestion came Tuesday during a conference call by the board.

OTC resident Sam Sacksen

Atif Siddiqi resigned last month as chairman of Colorado Springs-based USA Pentathlon, claiming the newly formed national governing body – on probationary status by the U.S. Olympic Committee – isn’t producing quality coaches or properly developing athletes.

Siddiqi also cited many other problems, including a lack of a membership tracking device and conflicts of interest on the board, in a resignation letter to Eric Parthen, the USOC’s director of NGB organizational development. The Gazette obtained a copy of the Sept. 25 letter, and here are some excerpts from Siddiqi:

Coaching – to date no plan has been submitted to the board as to the organization’s go forward strategy. The current methodology, staff, and training are inadequate to preparing the athletes to compete. Even with direct orders from the Board, no athlete plans have been put in place and consequently the on-going ‘make it up as you go along’ approach continues. In my own discussions with athletes, they have often informed me of the plans to conduct their own training since they believe the current coaching staff is insincere in its efforts and does not have the technical ability to ever adopt or enforce an effective coaching plan. That is a strong indicator of a significant deficiency. Other coaches are out there and have indicated considerable interest but no effort has been made to talk to or evaluate potential candidates. Also, no effort has been made to document coaching performance metrics and evaluate in a documented manner current coaching performance. Given that 30% of our budget provided by the USOC goes towards coaching costs (60% to salaries in general) we must expect and demand better value for money! Spending at that level is unsustainable.

Memberships – to date no membership tracking mechanism is in place and no timeline to setup a structure has been presented to the Board. While some would like to initiate the membership elements of the by-laws immediately, it will result in organizational and legal chaos since USAP does not know who its members are, including life members, and no attempts at information consolidation and reorganization has been made.

Conflicts of Interest – this remains an on-going and significant issue and one that immediately became an issue with the composition of the original board. Most of my tenure was dealing with parental and other conflicted board members and the political consequences with their eventual removal. It is therefore with considerable dismay that there is a desire amongst some to bring back parents since they are more ‘committed’. That cannot be permitted to happen. It will lead to further divisions and mistrust amongst the membership community. By-laws must be strengthened to legislate against parents and other persons with actual or apparent conflicts of interests ever serving on the board.

Athletes – unfortunately to date the USAP remains a culture where position is based on a sense of entitlement rather than performance. This year’s poor results coupled with undocumented and ad-hoc training plans indicate to even an outside observer that turnaround by 2012 seems remote at best unless considerable changes are implemented. The singular strategy of expansion of the athlete pool in the hope that it will fix issues at the elite level ignores the core of the issue. The philosophy of the coaching staff that some athlete’s participation is merely as sparing partners calls into question the wisdom of spending $70,000 of the USOC’s money every year on athlete development without budgetary and performance evaluation. A culture of non-performance is rewarded and indeed actively encouraged.

Development and Subcommittees – to date no detailed plan for youth, junior, and elite level development has been presented to the board. Clubs on the west coast and south-eastern region, as well as New Mexico, are waiting for the leadership and specific plans from USAP’s executive team that has so far not been forthcoming. To date no plans for the establishment of subcommittees in the areas of development, fundraising and memberships has been established.

UIPM World Cup – consideration is being given for the United States to host a world cup. Considering how poorly planned the last attempt was, the same non-existent planning is going into this year’s consideration. Specifically before any consideration for expenditure of significant funds can be made, the board must evaluate the executive team’s budget, strategy, marketing, staffing and many other components that make up a typical World Cup event. By many reasonable estimates, including the other national bodies and UIPM, in order to host a proper event about $100,000 will need to be raised and a proper debate should ensue has to whether that money should be spent instead on United States development. There is no evidence that hosting a world cup will meet the needs for youth and junior development. We should not be at the mercy of international personnel who regard the United States merely as a destination on a North American tour. The USAP should only commit to a world cup with the goals, proper planning, and evaluation structure in place and operating effectively.

Board Composition – immediate consideration needs to be given to expansion of truly independent members of the board. Currently 72% of the current board members are of an athlete background. That will inevitably create a bias. Given the current situation of the membership structure that I outlined earlier, new board members should be directly appointed as opposed to elected – at least to serve the remainder of the terms of the board members recently vacated. Once the membership has been established and is functioning directly, then only certain number of board members should be elected by the membership versus some who should always continue to be directly appointed. No board members should be removed as ‘lightening rods’ unless they have violated the by-laws (including conflicts of interest) and evidence has been presented – not mere accusations as is typical today. The board, with knowledge of the USOC, has consistently functioned as a reactionary institution to the accusations of some and this will create a precedence that will come back to haunt USAP. The ability to remove board members without cause must be removed.

TWEET OF THE DAY

☺ President Obama, according to the AP, told Democratic Party donors about Chicago 2016, “Who’s against the Olympics? What’s up with that?”

Here are other Tweets from Tuesday. Stay updated on Olympic news at http://twitter.com/gazetteolympics

☺ Wrestler Ben Askren will make a comeback Friday at the U.S. grappling world team trials in Phoenix. He last competed at the 2008 Olympics.

☺ A story about Broadmoor member Brandon Mroz preparing for the Rostelecom Cup: http://bit.ly/357sGg

☺ In equestrian, Erin Freedman led from start to finish to beat Jamie Price at the eventing national one star championships in Lexington, Ky.

☺ In Rio, the death toll from clashes with drug traffickers over the weekend rose to 25, according to AP. Can’t wait for the 2016 Olympics!

☺ Gretchen Bleiler, Torah Bright, Simon Dumont, Kevin Pearce & Levi LaVallee were invited to Winter X Games Europe from March 10-12 in France.

☺ Soccer’s world governing body approved the switch of midfielder Jermaine Jones from Germany to the U.S. national team, according to the AP.

☺ OTC judo players Kaitlyn McKim, Colin Robinson & Jillian Roman will compete at the junior world championships that begin Thursday in Paris.

☺ USADA suspended cyclist J.D. Swanguen for three months for testing positive for traces of marijuana or hashish. The suspension began Oct. 9.

☺ Former CC hockey players Noah Clarke, Justin Morrison and Lee Sweatt will compete at the Deutschland Cup from Nov. 6-8 in Munich.

☺ England wants taller basketball players and rowers for the 2016 Olympics, according to the AP. Females must be 5-11, and males must be 6-3.

☺ Ted Ligety to AP on trying to defend his Olympic combined title: “I wouldn’t say my main focus in the Olympics is trying to defend that.”

☺ U.S. Figure Skating wants donations to support athletes training for the 2010 Olympics. It’s asking for $20.10 a month through February.

☺ 2012 London Games organizers have about $985 million in domestic sponsorships after signing travel company Thomas Cook, according to the AP.

☺ Broadmoor Skating Club member Rachael Flatt dropped from seventh to ninth in the world rankings. Broadmoor member Brandon Mroz is 18th.

☺ The IOC denied allegations the Chinese struck a deal for the 2008 Olympics for support for IOC president Jacques Rogge, according to the AP.

☺ IOC member Gerhard Heiberg to AP on Rio violence: “There are seven years to go. … Hopefully they can clean that up. I’m not too worried.”

Even in a global financial crisis, U.S. Figure Skating can still find partners for its events.

The Colorado Springs-based national governing body has secured the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) as the title sponsor for Skate America, slated for Nov. 13-15 in Lake Placid, N.Y. ASCO joins AT&T, Smucker’s and State Farm as partners of the NGB, which boasts Hilton and United Airlines as suppliers.

Broadmoor Skating Club members Ryan Bradley, Rachael Flatt and Brandon Mroz will compete at the fifth Grand Prix stop. Also competing are world champion Evan Lysacek; 2006 Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen; ice dancers Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, who also claimed a silver in 2006; and former Broadmoor pair Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker, the two-time defending national champions.

Several figure skaters have battled cancer since their competitive careers ended, including Cheyenne Mountain High School and Colorado College graduate Peggy Fleming, a 1968 Olympic gold medalist; Dorothy Hamill, the 1976 Olympic champ; and Scott Hamilton, the 1984 Olympic champ. Most recently, Rena Inoue beat lung cancer, then teamed with John Baldwin to win two national titles in pairs.

“It certainly is a difficult time with the economy,” U.S. Figure Skating executive director David Raith said. “We are working every day on relationships. This relationship is very, very special to us because cancer has affected so many people within the figure skating world. We’ve been looking for such a relationship that is almost more social.”

TWEET OF THE DAY

♫ Robert Bach, president of entertainment and devices at Microsoft, is the favorite to join the USOC board, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Here are other Tweets from Monday. Stay updated on Olympic news at http://twitter.com/gazetteolympics

♫ The United Nations General Assembly granted the IOC observer status. It also adopted the Olympic truce resolution for the 2010 Olympics.

♫ A story about the USOC getting close to filling a vacant spot on its board: http://bit.ly/UkhDY

♫ Fort Hays State associate athletic director Cody Bickley was named manager of coaches education for USA Wrestling. He begins Nov. 9.

♫ The USOC and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will sign a memorandum of understanding Wednesday to announce a new partnership.

♫ Coke webisodes hyping the 2010 Olympics will feature former Broadmoor members Keauna McLaughlin & Rockne Brubaker. Watch at www.teamusa.org.

♫ The U.S. Select XV team lost to an Argentinean team 27-24 in the bronze-medal match of the Americas Rugby Championship in Markham, Ontario.

♫ Denver resident Louie Byrd won a 16-13 decision over Daniel Chapman of England in Norfolk, Va. England beat the U.S. 5-3 in the exhibition.

♫ Speedskater Nancy Swider-Peltz Jr. on an Olympic qualifier that begins Wednesday in Milwaukee: “I’m really confident going into this event.”

♫ The International Altitude Training Symposium begins Wednesday at the Doubletree. Speakers include Bob Bowman, coach of Michael Phelps.

♫ Wrestler Jake Herbert will be at the OTC next week for a freestyle training camp. Herbert won a silver medal at the world championships.

♫ Jon Lundin is leaving USA Luge to become public relations coordinator for the Olympic Regional Development Authority in Lake Placid, N.Y.

♫ USA Pentathlon wants a public hearing to address “the merit and substance of the issues” in chairman Atif Siddiqi’s resignation letter.

♫ Former OTC weightlifting coach Paul Fleschler opened Front Range Sports Performance & Fitness, behind the Antlers at 102 W. Colorado Ave.

♫ The USOC partnered with Northwestern’s business school to provide instruction for 29 USOC and Olympic national governing body leaders.

♫ Cheyenne Mountain High graduate Bryce Boarman begins competition Friday at the Paralympic soccer world championship in Arnhem, Netherlands.

♫ Broadmoor member Brandon Mroz will compete Friday at the Rostelecom Cup in Moscow. American Johnny Weir, a 2006 Olympian, also will skate.

♫ OTC triathletes Brian Fleischmann, Sarah Groff & Andy Potts will compete Nov. 14 at the Ironman world championship 70.3 in Clearwater, Fla.

♫ Olympic swimmer Dara Torres to the AP on radical surgery on her left knee: “It’s sort of an unknown. I don’t know how my body will react.”

♫ U.S. soccer player Charlie Davies has been removed from the ICU at a Washington hospital. He’s recovering from injuries in a car accident.

♫ USA Gymnastics women’s coach Martha Karolyi to the AP on worlds: “Finishing 1-2 in the all-around, it just shows the level of the USA.”

♫ OTC judo player Christal Ransom won a silver medal at the Rendez-Vous Canada in Montreal. Also of the OTC, Katie Sell claimed a bronze.

♫ Julia Dorsett and Scott Whitman won silver medals at the International Foundation for Disabled Sailing world championship in Athens.

♫ 2014 Sochi Games organizers expect to generate more than $1 billion from domestic sponsorships, according to the AP. They have $850 million.

♫ Olympic combined champion Ted Ligety to the AP on the right knee he injured last season: “It feels pretty much fully 100 percent now.”

♫ The weekend death toll in Rio from clashes with drug traffickers rose to 21, including a third cop who died from burns, according to the AP.

♫ Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes to AP on violence: “We still have a lot to do. We have a long way to go, and what happened this weekend showed that.”

♫ U.S. soccer player Carli Lloyd signed with the Sky Blue FC of the Women’s Professional Soccer league. She played last season for Chicago.

♫ U.S. soccer player Jay DeMerit underwent surgery Saturday on his right eye. Oguchi Onyewu will undergo surgery Wednesday on his left knee.

We all know U.S. Olympic Committee acting chief executive officer Stephanie Streeter played basketball at Stanford. Here’s some stuff about Streeter you maybe didn’t know:

• When Streeter played for the Cardinal, her name was Stephanie Galef. She changed it to Stephanie Streeter after she married her husband, Ed Streeter. They have 2-year-old twins.

• Streeter played at Stanford from 1975-79, earning a varsity letter all four years.

• As a freshman and a sophomore, Streeter wore No. 50. As a junior and a senior, she donned No. 32.

• With Streeter, the Cardinal went 55-36 – the high-water mark a 20-6 record her senior season, when Stanford lost to UCLA in the first round of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women playoffs for the second straight year.

TWEET OF THE DAY

 ∞ Gymnast Jonathan Horton to the AP on his struggles at the world championships in London: “I’m not upset at all. I’ll be better for it.”

Here are other Tweets from Sunday. Stay updated on Olympic news at http://twitter.com/gazetteolympics

∞ Chris Siemers of Arvada edged defending champion Jynocel Basweti of Kenya in the Denver Marathon, a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

∞ In equestrian, Boyd Martin maintained his lead at the national eventing championships. Karen O’Connor is second, and Kelly Sult is third.

∞ U.S. gymnasts at worlds: Ivana Hong third on beam, Danell Leyva fourth on bar, Rebecca Bross fifth on floor, Jonathan Horton eighth on bar.

∞ Mark Lopez won a bronze medal at the world taekwondo championships in Copenhagen. Stephanie Beckel and Lauren Cahoon failed to place.

∞ Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford, who wants to bring the 2020 Olympics to his city, faces federal bribery charges, according to the AP.

TWEET OF THE DAY

♣ Rio Gov. Sergio Cabral to AP on crime: “We told the International Olympic Committee that this won’t be an easy thing, and they know that.”

Here are other Tweets from Saturday. Stay updated on Olympic news at http://twitter.com/gazetteolympics

♣ Dalia Avivi, Antony Graf, Talina Le & Luis Reyes did not place at the world taekwondo championships in Copenhagen. Mark Lopez fights Sunday.

♣ In equestrian, Boyd Martin claimed the lead at the national eventing championship. Phillip Dutton and Karen O’Connor are tied for second.

♣ OTC judo player Alexa Liddie won a gold medal at the Rendez-Vous Canada in Montreal. The OTC’s Myles Porter, who is blind, claimed a bronze.

♣ An International Rugby Board world sevens circuit event moved from San Diego to Las Vegas, according to the AP. It will be Feb. 13-14.

♣ The U.S. men’s volleyball team lost to Cuba 3-1 in the NORCECA Continental Championship finals in Puerto Rico. Evan Patak had 14 points.

♣ In sailing, Skip Dieball’s crew beat Greg Fisher’s crew and Allan Terhune’s crew to win the Championship of Champions in Carlyle, Ill.

♣ Broadmoor member Alexe Gilles placed fifth at the Trophee Eric Bompard. South Korean Kim Yu-na won gold, and Mao Asada of Japan won silver.

♣ The U.S. men’s volleyball team beat Puerto Rico 3-0 in the Continental Championship semis. David Lee: 15 points. Reid Priddy: 13 points.

♣ Gymnast Rebecca Bross to AP: “Even though I had a mistake, I’m still very proud and very happy to be out there and showing what I can do.”

♣ Figure skater Adam Rippon was third at the Trophee Eric Bompard. Nobunari Oda of Japan won gold. Tomas Verner of Czech Republic won silver.

♣ Slider Katie Uhlaender to the AP: “The whole point of the Olympics is to push yourself to the best you can be, and that’s what I’m doing.”

♣ In Rio de Janeiro, a police helicopter was shot down by rival drug gangs, and two cops were killed in a fiery explosion, according to AP.

♣ Gymnast Kayla Williams on her vault title at the world championships in London: “I am ecstatic. I did the two best vaults that I could.”

♣ U.S. gymnasts at worlds: Tim McNeill fifth on pommel horse, Bridget Sloan sixth on uneven bars and Steven Legendre eighth on floor exercise.

♣ In skeleton, Breckenridge resident Katie Uhlaender received a medical waiver onto the World Cup team. She injured her kneecap snowmobiling.

♣ Kayla Williams won the vault title at the world gymnastics championships in London. Rebecca Bross claimed a bronze on the uneven bars.

♣ Gymnast Bridget Sloan to AP on her gold at worlds: “I did look at my medal this morning and was like, ‘Why is that in my room? Oh, yeah.’”

TWEET OF THE DAY

♂ Speedskater Tucker Fredricks: “Going into this Olympics, I expect to win. It’s been way too hard to not be in the running for a gold medal.”

Here are other Tweets from Friday. Stay updated on Olympic news at http://twitter.com/gazetteolympics

♂ Kasey Kahne will drive the No. 9 Budweiser Team USA Ford, with a patriotic paint scheme, at the Daytona 500. Buy replicas at www.nascar.com.

♂ Jon Ginolfi & Sean Harris lead the U.S. men’s field hockey team for a 4-game exhibition series vs. Canada that begins Oct. 28 in Vancouver.

♂ In wrestling, the U.S. men’s freestyle team will face reigning world champion Russia in a seven-match dual meet Nov. 15 at the Chicago Cup.

♂ Gymnast Tim McNeill on his 7th-place finish at worlds: “I gave it my best, and I put everything out there. That’s all I can ask of myself.”

♂ The USA Select XV team will play an Argentinean squad in the Americas Rugby Championship bronze-medal match Saturday in Markham, Ontario.

♂ OTC judo players at Rendez-Vous Canada include Samantha Bleier, Alexa Liddie, Pauline Macias, Myles Porter, Christal Ransom and Katie Sell.

♂ Gymnast Bridget Sloan on her narrow win over Rebecca Bross at worlds: “Looking at how close it was, that is about as close as you can get.”

♂ Adam Rippon is 3rd after the short program at Trophee Eric Bompard. Tomas Verner of the Czech Republic leads. Nobunari Oda of Japan is 2nd.

♂ In sailing, John Casey, Nigel Pitt & John Williams are favorites for the U.S. Multihull Championship that begins Sunday in Clearwater, Fla.

♂ The U.S. men’s volleyball team plays Puerto Rico today in the semifinals of the NORCECA Continental Championship in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

♂ U.S. slider Bengt Walden to the AP on becoming an American citizen: “I’m really proud to be part of the U.S. team. Really, really proud.”

♂ Think you can beat an Olympian? Test your skills against Shawn Johnson, Rafael Nadal & Lindsey Vonn at www.olympic.org/thebestofuschallenge

♂ Bowler Lynda Barnes will retire from the U.S. national team at the end of the year. She has been a member of Team USA a record 12 times.

♂ Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, a 20-time PWBA champion, highlights the field for the U.S. Women’s Open finale at noon Sunday. You can watch on ESPN.

♂ Danielle Pelham won gold at the world taekwondo championships in Copenhagen. Brian Gallagher of Highlands Ranch and Steven Lin didn’t place.

♂ Broadmoor member Alexe Gilles is fourth after the short program at the Trophee Eric Bompard in Paris. The leader is South Korean Kim Yu-na.

♂ In equestrian, Karen O’Connor leads after the dressage portion of the national eventing championships in Elkton, Md. John Williams is 2nd.

♂ Bridget Sloan edged U.S. teammate Rebecca Bross to win the world gymnastics championships in London. Koko Tsurumi of Japan claimed bronze.

♂ Reno-Tahoe wants to submit a joint bid for the 2022 Winter Games. Expect competition from Denver and Salt Lake City if the USOC bids.

♂ Only three cities are bidding for the 2018 Winter Games: Annecy, France; Munich; and Pyeongchang, South Korea. The IOC will vote in 2011.

♂ A high-tech mobile unit for medical emergencies at the 2010 Olympics costs $4.5 million. It’s funded through a General Electric sponsorship.

♂ In cycling, the second annual National Racing Calendar promoters summit is scheduled for Nov. 13-15 in Colorado Springs.

You knew Jim Scherr wouldn’t stray far from the Olympic movement.

The U.S. Olympic Committee’s former chief executive officer has launched a full-service marketing and events company, called 776 Original Marketing in honor of the inaugural Olympics in 776 B.C. The firm has offices in Colorado Springs, and its founding partners include former USOC executives Steve Brunner, Jim Grice and Darryl Seibel.

Initially, Scherr’s company (www.776marketing.com) will focus on six areas:

• Sports and entertainment marketing

• Sports properties

• Communications and strategy

• Corporate hospitality programs and services

• Development and private-donor fundraising

• Athlete representation

Start-up clients consist of three national governing bodies, two bull-riding organizations, a road cycling tour and a group of street basketball players. Don’t be surprised if several other NGBs, including some in Colorado Springs, jump aboard mainly because of Scherr, a former Olympic wrestler with plenty of respect in Olympic circles.

Scherr said he joined forces with Brunner, Grice and Seibel because they all “know each other a long time. It’s great to work with people you enjoy working with. … I believe in the cause of the Olympic movement and what Olympic and amateur sports contribute to society. It’s a form of entertainment, but it’s also an incredible learning experience.”

Seibel contends Scherr “had a number of different options and opportunities, but he cares deeply about sport, and this is a natural fit for him. I have no doubt he will excel in this new endeavor. … We all care deeply about the movement and would do anything to be of service and help it continue to grow and prosper.”

TWEET OF THE DAY

☼ Adriano Galliani of AC Milan to AP on Oguchi Onyewu’s injury: “Once again, the national teams take players and we lose out due to injuries.”

Here are other Tweets from Thursday. Stay updated on Olympic news at http://twitter.com/gazetteolympics

☼ U.S. slider John Daly to AP on skeleton win in a World Cup qualifier: “Yesterday was a downer. Today was the bounce-back. I got luckier.”

☼ Gymnast Jonathan Horton to AP on 17th at worlds: “Since the Olympics, I haven’t had the motivation and fire like I feel like I should have.”

☼ Danielle Holmquist, James Howe and Victoria Stambaugh did not place at the world taekwondo championships. Holmquist lost in the quarters.

☼ OTC wrestler Bryce Hasseman (185 pounds) will compete in a freestyle dual meet Nov. 18 against a Russian team in Mount Vernon, Iowa.

☼ “Beijing 2008 – America’s Olympic Glory,” a Bud Greenspan documentary, will premiere on Showtime at 5 p.m. Monday. It’s a two-hour film.

☼ About 900 athletes from nearly 130 countries are at the taekwondo worlds in Copenhagen. It’s the largest sporting event in Denmark history.

☼ Yory Boy Campas & Raul Martinez will attend the National PAL Championships that begin Monday in San Antonio. Nearly 600 boxers will compete.

☼ Want to send your wishes to U.S. soccer player Charlie Davies? Shoot him an e-mail at charliedavies9@yahoo.com. He was hurt in a car crash.

☼ Medals for the 2010 Olympics contain aboriginal artwork, and they weigh between 1.1 to 1.3 pounds. Each medal is unique, no two are alike.

☼ In skeleton, Eric Bernotas (quadriceps) received a medical waiver over Zach Lund (hamstring) at a World Cup qualifier in Lake Placid, N.Y.

☼ The USA Weightlifting national championships are June 12-14 in Peoria, Ill. It’s a qualifier for the Sept. 18-30 world championships.

☼ In equestrian, John Williams leads after the opening day of the national eventing championships in Elkton, Md. Erika Treis Petersen is 2nd.

☼ Gymnast Tim McNeill placed seventh at worlds in London. Kohei Uchimura of Japan won gold, and Daniel Keatings of England claimed silver.

☼ John Daly & Noelle Pikus-Pace were skeleton winners in a World Cup qualifier in Lake Placid, N.Y. More races Oct. 23-24 in Park City, Utah.

☼ Deena Kastor to Universal Sports after her sixth-place finish at the Chicago Marathon: “I feel really good about where I am right now.”

☼ The first leg in swimming’s World Cup series begins Friday in Durban, South Africa. It’s a five-stop series, with Moscow following Durban.