For Immediate Release: January 16, 2002
Contact:
Victoria Hristovski | Director Public Information | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK- Ted Blazer, President and CEO of the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), attended the Adirondack Park Agency’s (APA) meeting this month and was presented with a certificate recognizing ORDA’s dedication to maintaining and improving New York’s Olympic venues.
"On the occasion of the 19th Winter Olympiad in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Adirondack Park Agency recognizes and commends ORDA for its foresight in bringing the combines venues of New York’s Olympic region to the highest standards, for the recreational benefit of the citizens of New York, for the economic benefit of the Adirondack Park area, and at the same time, meeting the requirements of international competition in all of the sports of the Winter Olympic Games," said APA Executive Director Daniel Fitts. "Balancing these interests in the heart of the Adirondack Park is a remarkable achievement."
Mr. Fitts also noted the importance of Lake Placid in training athletes for Salt Lake City. He also noted the role of ORDA in bringing in national and international championship events such as the World Cup Bobsled/Luge/Skeleton competitions recently held in Lake Placid, and the World Cup Bobsled competitions to take place in 2003.
"We have been working closely with Empire State Development and ‘I LOVE NY’ in an effort to bring all the virtues of New York State to Lake Placid," Mr. Blazer said. "We are very pleased with the Governor’s foresight in making Lake Placid home to so many talented athletes."
Five local athletes are on their way to Salt Lake City to compete in the Winter Olympics being held in less than a month. The Adirondack Olympiads are, Clay Ives, Luge, Lake Placid, Andrea Kilbourne, Hockey, Saranac Lake, Erin Porter, Short Track Speed Skating, Saratoga Springs, Jim Shea, Skeleton, Lake Placid, and Bill Demong, Nordic Combined, Vermontville.
In addition to the certificate for ORDA, the Agency expressed its pride in the Adirondack athletes competing in this year’s Winter Olympics and as the teams finalize, the Agency will be sending along a letter of support to the athletes in Salt Lake City.
Also attending the Agency meeting on Thursday was Olympic Speed Skating Gold Medalist, Jack Shea. He spoke on the importance of good sportsmanship in competition and his pride in both his son and grandson in their Olympic pursuits and successes. Mr. Shea’s grandson, Jim Shea, will be competing for the Gold medal in the sport of Skeleton in Salt Lake City.
Mr. Shea presented the Board with pins commemorating the 2002 Winter Olympics and Katherine Roberts, who filled in as acting Chairperson this month, presented Mr. Shea with an APA pin and expressed her gratitude on behalf of the Board for his time and encouraging words of wisdom.