Gretchen Bleiler honored as Aspen/Snowmass celebrates local Olympians
Seven Local Olympic Athletes Will be Honored in Gondola Plaza
Monday, February 8 at 5 p.m.
Aspen/Snowmass will hold a community celebration to honor seven local athletes headed to the Olympics. The ceremony will be held Monday, February 8 at 5 p.m. in the Gondola Plaza at the base of Aspen Mountain.
The ceremony will kick off at 5 p.m. with an introduction of the athletes, video highlights of each of them, and a presentation of a special gift to each of the Olympians. There will be music, as well as free hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee. In addition, Ajax tavern will have a $15 Burger and Pint Special from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.
City officials will read a proclamation officially declaring February 2010 as Aspen Olympians’ Month with individual days dedicated to each athlete.
“This is a great chance for the community to wish these athletes good luck and let them know that we will all be cheering for them,” said Aspen Mayor Mick Ireland. “This is an amazing group of competitors and we are all proud of their achievements.”
The seven Olympians are:
Jeremy Abbott, Aspen – U.S. Figure Skating Team
Gretchen Bleiler, Snowmass Village- U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team
Simi Hamilton, Aspen – U.S. Cross Country Ski Team
Chris Klug, Aspen – U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team
Alice McKennis, Glenwood Springs – U.S. Alpine Olympic Team, Women’s Downhill
Casey Puckett, Old Snowmass – U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team, Skicross
Jake Zamansky, Aspen – U.S. Alpine Olympic Team, Men’s Giant Slalom
Bleiler, Klug, McKennis and Puckett will be present at the ceremony and family members are expected to attend to represent the other athletes who are unable to attend.
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