Team USA set for week of events in Washington DC

On 3 April – in an event that has become a much-anticipated highlight of Olympic/Paralympic years – President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will host more than 200 members of the 2014 US Olympic and Paralympic teams and delegations at the White House to celebrate and honour Team USA’s success at the Sochi Games.

The United States Olympic Committee announced details of four celebratory events to take place from 2-5 April in Washington DC, April commemorating Team USA’s success at the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Team USA Athlete Celebration supported by BP

The week-long festivities begin with the Team USA Athlete Celebration supported by BP on 2 April. The traditional reception will provide an opportunity for members of Congress and other government officials to celebrate with Team USA athletes.

Best of US Awards Show

Immediately following the Team USA Athlete Celebration, NBC’s Willie Geist will host the USOC’s inaugural Best of US Awards Show supported by USG, which will honour outstanding US performances from the Sochi Games. More than 1,000 members of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Family are expected to attend the live taping at Warner Theatre.

More than 200 members of the 2014 US Olympic and Paralympic teams are confirmed to attend the live taping, including Paralympic nominees Tatyana McFadden, Evan Strong and the entire gold-medal winning US ice sledge hockey team.

In total, 57 athletes earned nominations in eight award categories – including Best Male/Female Olympian, Best Male/Female Paralympian, Team of the Olympic/Paralympic Games and Moment of the Olympic/Paralympic Games. Additional categories include Fan of the Games and the USG Building Dreams Award, which honours an individual who has gone above and beyond in his/her support of Team USA athletes. Winners in each of the 10 categories will be revealed during the live taping.

Athlete and celebrity presenters include Olympic champions Evan Lysacek, Bode Miller, Aly Raisman, and Jennie Finch, along with Paralympic champions April Holmes and Chris Waddell. Four-time Olympic ice hockey medallist Julie Chu and San Francisco 49ers All-Pro (and 2014 Curling team honorary captain) Vernon Davis will also present awards during the broadcast. Figure skaters and commentators Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski will serve as red carpet and backstage correspondents.

All of the action, including highlights from the athletes’ red carpet arrivals, will air on 7 April on NBCSN from 19:00-20:00 (EST).

White House visit

On 3 April – in an event that has become a much-anticipated highlight of Olympic/Paralympic years – President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will host more than 200 members of the 2014 US Olympic and Paralympic teams and delegations at the White House to celebrate and honour Team USA’s success at the Sochi Games. The president’s afternoon remarks will be open to media.

Olympic and Paralympic Athlete Summit

The attending athletes will have the opportunity to remain in Washington DC to participate in the 2014 Olympic & Paralympic Athlete Summit, which will take place from 3-5 April at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Washington DC-Crystal City.

The summit, which provides professional development tools for members of Team USA, is supported by generous gifts from David Pottruck, the Foundation for Global Sports Development and The Dow Chemical Company Foundation, as well as USOC partners Adecco and DeVry University.

Themed “Train, Compete and Succeed in Life,” the summit will offer interactive workshops and seminars designed specifically for athletes. Olympians, Paralympians, career professionals and other guest speakers will cover topics on four tracks: Careers, Financial Management, Personal Development and Education.

The summit – being hosted for the first time since 2006 – is the first event to showcase the USOC’s renewed focus on athlete support via its Athlete Career & Education Services Program. The programme is designed to assist athletes in their preparation for life after sport.