The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee held their annual Assembly in Salt Lake City in September, which included an awards reception where Olympian Craig Gilbert ’78 received the Dorothy Franey Langkop Ambassador Award.
The award, established in 2011 by the U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Association, recognizes an individual or a program associated with a U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Chapter that demonstrates the special spirit of Olympism, has illustrated the Olympic and Paralympic ideals through their actions, or has rendered outstanding services to the Olympic and Paralympic cause.
Gilbert, a 1978 West Point graduate and 1984 Olympian in team handball, served on the board of directors of the U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Association for eight years as president of one of USOPA’s most active chapters, representing New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Gilbert was also elected to the USOPA Executive Committee as a vice president and led numerous programs that engage and celebrate Olympians and Paralympians in their communities.
“This is an opportunity for us to be together, and an opportunity for us, after a long day of meetings and discussions about how we can get better and how we can advance the Movement,” U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland told those gathered for the ceremony at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the site of the Winter Games Salt Lake City 2002 Opening and Closing Ceremonies. “Tonight is about recognition and celebrating each other and celebrating our community.”
