Governor Quinn Proclaims Illinois Olympian Day

WHEREAS, athletic achievement in the international community fosters a sense of inspiration and pride within our towns, our states and the country; and,

WHEREAS, the State of Illinois has the opportunity to celebrate those athletes who work tirelessly to achieve their goals, to recognize the contributions of sport, and to showcase the sportsmanship of a diverse group of men and women who left Illinois as individuals and returned as Olympians; and,

WHEREAS, the Summer Games of the XXX Olympiad were held in London, United Kingdom in 2012, for the third time in modern history; and,

WHEREAS, today, the Olympic Games are widely considered to be the most prestigious sports competition in the World, with over 200 participating countries sending thousands of athletes to compete; and,

WHEREAS, the Olympic rings symbolize the ideals of universality of Olympism and international cooperation and respect. The linked rings represent each of the five inhabited continents united through a meeting of the athletes of the World; and,

WHEREAS, in addition to the ideal of unity among diversity, the Olympic motto of “Citius, Altius, Fortius”, or “Swifter, Higher, Stronger” encourages athletes to put forth their best effort during the games through a demonstration of personal excellence. Together with the Olympic Creed, “The most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the fight; the essential thing is not to have won, but to have fought well”, the Olympic Movement has developed the most recognized display of athletic values and sportsmanship in the World; and,

WHEREAS, the United States, following hard-fought competition, captured the most medals of any country with 104, as well as the most gold medals of any country with 46; and,

WHEREAS, the State of Illinois is proud to be home to twenty-two Olympic athletes who competed in the 2012 London Olympic Games: Amy LePeilbet, soccer; Andre Iguodala, basketball; Anna Li, gymnastics; Anthony Davis, basketball; Bob Willis, sailing; Candace Parker, basketball; Charlie Jayne, equestrian; Christina Loukas, diving; Conor Dwyer, swimming; Dawn Harper, track and field; Ellis Coleman, wrestling; Evan Jager, track and field; Gia Lewis-Smallwood, track and field; Grant James, rowing; Kelci Bryant, diving; Lance Brooks, track and field; Matt Grevers, swimming; Ross James, rowing; Sarah Zelenka, rowing; Swin Cash, basketball; Sean Rooney, volleyball; and Tyler McGill, swimming; and,

WHEREAS, over the course of modern Olympic history, athletes have overcome war, oppression and poverty to compete in the Games – forming friendships through a shared love of sport; and,

THEREFORE, I, Pat Quinn, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby applaud and commend all Illinois Olympians and their families and do hereby proclaim August 24, 2012 as ILLINOIS OLYMPIAN DAY in Illinois, in recognition of the tremendous sacrifice put forth to achieve athletic excellence, and encourage all residents to recognize their achievements and their contributions to sport.