Contact:
Contact: Carrie Gentile, Tel: 518-524-7126, Email: cgentile@roostadk.com, & Jon Lundin, Tel: 518-302-5313, Email: Jlundin@orda.org , 40th Lake Placid Olympic Anniversary Organizing Committee
January 16, 2020
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LAKE PLACID CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1980 WINTER OLYMPICSNew events added, more Olympic athletes, more winter fun! |
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LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- In less than 30 days, Lake Placid celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Olympic Winter Games that brought this nation together like never before.
From Feb. 13-23, 2020, this two-time Olympic village, nestled in the Adirondack High Peaks, will roll out the welcome mat and offer up a full slate of activities to revel in its unmatched Olympic legacy – past, present and future. The 10-day event celebrates the Games that have long been remembered for the heroics of the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team’s improbable win over the Russians, known as the “Miracle on Ice,” speed skater Eric Heiden’s five gold medals, in world or Olympic record time; the Opening Ceremony and the United States figure skating team, dubbed the “Dream Team.”
The entire village including the Olympic venues will be on full display during this community-wide celebration and more than 20 Olympians will participate in events available to the public.
Recently Added Events:
Dream On, The 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Figure Skating Reunion Gala
Olympian Dan Jansen: Perseverance and Perspective - A memorable story of inspiration and triumph Meet and Greet - Hear four-time Olympian and 1994 speed skating gold medalist, Dan Jansen’s heart-wrenching story, in his own words, from missing his chance at 1988 Olympic medal hours after hearing of his beloved sister’s passing to triumphing in the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer. Jansen will speak and participate in a meet and greet at the High Peaks Resort on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. This event is FREE and open to the public. For younger fans, Dan will also be appearing at the Lake Placid Public Library during their crafts event on Saturday morning from 10 a.m.-noon.
Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer™ At 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton will lead community members in a Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer™ event, held on the Olympic speed skating oval. This “Frozen 5K” skate-a-thon is the signature fundraiser of the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation, a not-for-profit 501 c (3) dedicated to changing the future of cancer funding, research and patient care. A portion of the proceeds raised goes to Adirondack Health. The Foundation’s event website is www.mysk8.org/LakePlacidNY2020.
Lake Placid’s Olympic Legacy: An Athlete’s Perspective Hosted by the Lake Placid Center for the Arts on Monday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m.
The Celebration The following highlights just some more of the events planned. For more information, schedule, and updates, visit LakePlacid40.com.
The Legacy Lake Placid is one of only three cities world-wide to have hosted two Olympic Winter Games, 1932 and 1980. Since then, it has played host to annual World Cup events and other large-scale sporting competitions. The village’s Olympic legacy is unmatched. Lake Placid has sent at least one athlete to every winter Games, and in total, has sent over 100 athletes to compete, since the first modern winter Games in 1924. Several area athletes have claimed Olympic glory, including Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid), a two-time Olympic medalist in Super-G; Billy Demong (Vermontville), a two-time Olympic medalist and Olympic champion in Nordic Combined and Chris Mazdzer (Saranac Lake), an Olympic silver medalist in men’s singles luge. This is accomplished through Lake Placid’s commitment and support of its Olympic sports development programs.
Since taking office, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has committed nearly $240-million in funding to support the Olympic Regional Development Authority properties. These unprecedented investments in capital projects are improving the infrastructure of Olympic venues to ensure they can continue to attract and support large-scale, global events, while transforming these areas facilities into year-round attractions.
Lake Placid as a winter destination Along with these special events, guests can experience Olympic-themed activities such as skating on the Olympic Speed Skating Oval or sliding down the Mt. Van Hoevenberg bobsled/luge/skeleton track. Adventurous guests can ride a toboggan down a 30-foot high slide that’s specifically designed to launch riders across Mirror Lake’s icy surface.
Situated between two lakes and ringed by Adirondack mountain peaks, Lake Placid beckons travelers to play outside all winter long with pursuits such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, pond hockey, dogsled rides, sledding and ice fishing. In addition, visitors can also ski and ride the greatest vertical in the east at iconic Whiteface Mountain.
For more information about all of the events and activities, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Lake Placid 1980 Olympic Winter Games, visit www.LakePlacid40.com.
Thank you to all of the anniversary’s participating sponsors. They include:
Silver: Adirondack Health
Bronze: Lake Placid Family Dental Pines Inn High Peaks Resort Elderwood at Uihlein |
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