PRINCETON, N.J. - Five 2012 Olympic gold medalists from the U.S. women's eight will be honored at the Women's Sports Foundation's 33rd Annual Salute to Women in Sports Awards Dinner on Wednesday, October 17 in New York City. Coxswain Mary Whipple, Caryn Davies, Taylor Ritzel, Esther Lofgren and Susan Francia will celebrate with some of the most accomplished women in sports and the girls they inspire.
The U.S. women's eight won gold in London, continuing its historic run that includes seven straight world championships and three consecutive Olympic medals. The crew was named 2012 Team of the Year by the United States Olympic Committee and all nine athletes in the boat are ranked among the top 16 most-medaled female athletes in U.S. history at the world championship and Olympic levels.
Whipple, Davies, Ritzel, Lofgren and Francia will be among several high-profile Olympic and professional athletes including Missy Franklin, Gabrielle Reece, Alex Morgan, Jordyn Wieber and Allyson Felix. The evening's awards include the ANNIKA Inspiration Award, Billie Jean King Contribution Award, Wilma Rudolph Courage Award and the Individual and Team Sportswoman of the Year Award.
Founded in 1974 by tennis legend, Billie Jean King, the Women's Sports Foundation is dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity. All proceeds from the event will benefit this mission. For more information, contact Kevin Pchola at Kevin.Pchola@zenogroup.com or visit the Women in Sports Foundation website at http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/AnnualSalute.