Olympics: U.S. Hall of Fame finalists announced
Associated Press
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — David Robinson, Oscar De La Hoya and Amy Van Dyken were among the finalists announced today for the U.S. Olympic Committee Hall of Fame.
The USOC put out a list of 18 finalists, six of whom will be chosen by fans online at www.usolympichalloffame.com. Voting goes through March 28 and the inductees will be announced at the USOC Olympic summit in April in Chicago.
Robinson led the U.S. basketball team to gold medals in 1992 and '96. De La Hoya won a gold medal in 1992. Van Dyken won six gold medals — four in 1996 and two more in 2000.
Also among the nominees are gold-medal wrestler Jeff Blatnick, gold-medal figure skater Brian Boitano and Karch Kiraly, who helped the U.S. volleyball team to gold medals in 1984 and '88, then came back to win another gold in beach volleyball in 1996.
Five teams were nominated for induction. Among them were Robinson's 1992 basketball team; the 1996 women's gymnastics team, which won a gold medal behind Kerri Strug's courageous vault on an injured ankle; and the 1998 women's hockey team, which won the first women's gold medal for Olympic hockey.