ZURICH/LAUSANNE – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced the list of 15 Athlete Role Models (ARMs) who will support the young athletes going to the 2nd Winter Youth Olympic Games from 12 to 21 February 2016 in Lillehammer, Norway. Among them will be ice hockey goalie Molly Schaus.
The 27-year-old has been competing at the top international level since her World Championship debut with the United States’ women’s national team in 2008.
The native of Natick, Massachusetts has competed in five Women’s World Championships winning four gold medals – most recently last spring in Malmo, Sweden – and a silver. She won two silver medals in her two Olympic Winter Games participations in Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014.
Before Schaus, the New York Rangers’ Norwegian forward
Mats Zuccarello was named as one of the ambassadors of the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games.
Selected by the Winter International Federations whose sports will be featured at Lillehammer 2016, the list includes many legendary names from the world of sport, including Olympic and world champions. In Lillehammer, they will play a key role in supporting, mentoring and offering advice to the 1,100 young athletes who will be participating in the Games.
The ARMs will be accessible to the athletes in the Youth Olympic Village and during a series of educational activities and workshops within the Learn & Share Programme. These activities will focus on areas such as skills development, how to lead healthy lifestyles, environment and social responsibility, and Olympism.
The ARMs will be behind the scenes during competition and will also be available for informal chats in a specially created lounge that will be open to all participants. The athletes can also learn valuable lessons from the ARMs during “Chat with Champions” sessions – a Q&A format to promote discussion with the young athletes. Fans of the YOG, meanwhile, will have the opportunity to put their questions directly to the ARMs during informal chat sessions on the IOC’s social media channels.
The main goal behind the ARM Programme is to allow the ARMs to share their experiences and inspire the athletes to be the best they can be both on and off the field of play.
Angela Ruggiero, Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission and Olympic champion in ice hockey, said: “The Athlete Role Models are giving back to sport by supporting the next generation of young athletes, both on and off the field of play. The ARMs have a wealth of knowledge to share with the young athletes garnered from their successful careers as sportsmen and women, and will be a huge support and comfort to the young athletes, many of whom will be experiencing their first multi-sport international competition.”
Also in attendance will be the IOC Athletes’ Commission, which will play a key role in the educational activities and workshops for athletes off the field of play.
Full list of Athlete Role Models:Eric Alard (Bobsled, FRA)
Shelley Rudman (Skeleton, GBR)
Anette Sagen (Ski jumping, NOR)
Dominique Gisin (Alpine skiing, SUI)
Hannah Kearney (Freestyle skiing/moguls, USA)
Ross Powers (Snowboard, USA)
Felix Gottwald (Nordic combined, AUT)
Claudia Nystad (Cross Country, GER)
Molly Schaus (Ice hockey, USA)
Wolfgang Linger (Luge, AUT)
Rasmus Stjerne (Curling, DEN)
Tora Berger (Biathlon, NOR)
Stephane Lambiel (Figure Skating, SUI)
Chun Lee Kyung (Short Track, KOR)
Christine Nesbitt (Speed Skating, CAN)
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