(March 28, 2001)

U.S. Olympic Alumni Association Board Endorses
1976 Olympian Anita Defrantz For IOC Presidency

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (March 28, 2001)  The Officers and Board of the US Olympians (America's Olympic alumni association), in their semi-annual meeting last Saturday, heartily supported the candidacy of 1976 Olympic bronze medal winning rower, Anita L. DeFrantz, in her quest to become the first female president of the International Olympic Committee.

"It is with great enthusiasm that the Board of the US Olympians supports Anita DeFrantz's efforts to lead the International Olympic Committee into the next millennium," said John Naber, President of the US Olympians and five-time Olympic medal winning swimmer.

"We have long appreciated Anita for her advocacy of Olympian's rights, including her efforts on eligibility, diversity and drug issues," Naber added. "Additionally, her position as the first elected female Vice President on the IOC Executive Board has given her invaluable experience at the inner workings of the world's most powerful sports organization. We are delighted to lend her our support."

The election will take place in Moscow at the July meeting of the IOC. [For further information, contact: John Naber at: John@JohnNaber.com or (626) 795-7675.]