The United States Olympic Committee's 12 for '12 media teleconference series will conclude on Thursday, July 12 and feature two athletes ready to represent the U.S. in London - Olympic equestrian Karen O'Connor (Ocala, Fla.) and Paralympic sprinter April Holmes (Somerdale, N.J.). Alan Ashley, USOC chief of sport performance, will also join the conference, which is set to begin at 3 p.m. ET.
The London competition will mark O'Connor's fifth trip to the Olympic Games. The eventing star is already a two-time Olympic medalist, having secured the team silver in Atlanta and the team bronze in Sydney. With an international career that spans more than 30 years, O'Connor is a two-time Pan American Games gold medalist and the former world No. 1-ranked female rider. At 54, O'Connor is the most senior member of the recently announced U.S. Olympic Team, and will be able to draw on her extensive experience to lead the team into London.
Holmes will head into the 2012 Paralympic Games with the mission of defending the 100-meter gold medal she won four years ago in Beijing. A versatile athlete, she also captured the bronze medal in the long jump at the 2004 Games. The world record holder in three events, Holmes looks to bring home the gold in the T44 class 100- and 200-meter races this September.
Ashley serves as the chief of sport performance for the USOC and plays an integral role in the preparation and execution of all activities of Team USA related to the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games.
The 12 for '12 media teleconference series has provided media with an opportunity to interact with top Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls at critical moments in their journey to represent Team USA in London. The teleconferences have run monthly since August 2011.
WHAT
12 for '12 media teleconference series - 12th edition
WHO
Karen O'Connor, Olympic Equestrian
April Holmes, Paralympic Track & Field
Alan Ashley, USOC Chief of Sport Performance
WHEN
Thursday, July 12 - 3 p.m. ET
HOW
800-247-5110 (U.S.); 334-323-7224 (international)
Passcode: TEAM USA
USOC CONTACT: Christy Cahill
Christy.Cahill@usoc.org | 719-866-2143
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