Second Anniversary Of My Discovery At USOPM
Two years ago, on January 30, 2022, the Colorado Springs Gazette newspaper ran the Sunday article “On the trail of display errors at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum” by Stephanie Earls.
Go ahead by clicking this above article. Yes, it was on the front page of the Sunday issue! Of course, I added some links and photos for your reading.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum (USOPM) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is an impressive building with fantastic technology and exciting artifacts.
Click on the official USOPM website.
After visiting the USOPM eight times since May 2021, I agree that it is 100% in accessibility, such as accessible media, audio descriptions, wheelchair accessibility, tactility, open captioning and American Sign Language interpreter, low-sensory experiences, certified service animals, and additional accessibility services. Click the USOPM Accessibility and Universal Design.
NOTE: I just wanted to remind you that this nonprofit Museum operates separately from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC.) However, it is licensed as “Olympic” and “Paralympic” and is part of the City for Champions development project in Colorado Springs.
Discovery???
What Reporter Stephanie Earls wrote:
Former Deaflympian Howard Gorrell toured the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs for the first time in May 2021. The omissions and errors he noticed in the displays, particularly in a two-sentence blurb about the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, inspired a mission to correct history. Shown here is the “Women in Sports” display that contains the incorrect blurb. “Can you imagine that the display size - only 4” by 6” - has sparked this controversy?” Howard Gorrell said via email.
Reporter paused:
Worse, though, the first sentence contained an error, crediting the Amateur Sports Act of 1978 with creating the U.S. Olympic Committee when, in fact, it was founded in 1894 by the authority of the International Olympic Committee.
Read my September 21, 2023 issue, “Amateur Sports Act Established USOC in 1978-???”
Reporter included:
The President’s Commission on Olympic Sports wasn’t mentioned, which to anyone familiar with the movement’s evolution in the U.S. was like a blurb about the Gettysburg Address leaving out Lincoln and the Civil War.
Reporter Earls has encouraged you to read a 2018 piece for Sports Business Journal written by Mike Harrigan, a former director of the President’s Commission on Olympic Sports. He said, “The U.S. Olympic Committee has never once held a seminar for its member organizations on the letter, spirit, and intent of the act under which they operate. Which is incredible when you think about it. So it’s no surprise then that people get it wrong. They have no sense of history.”
“Howie is a wonderful guy, and he was very helpful in helping us get the Sports Act passed originally. He’s the kind of guy who will go through that wall, God bless him. He’s tough, he has no hesitation,” Harrigan said. “Howie deserves so much credit for bringing this to everyone’s attention ... and helping set the historical record straight."
Lastly, Earls reported:
“‘Our number one goal as a museum is to ensure our content is accurate and informative,’ said the museum’s director of communications and marketing, Tommy Schield. ‘It was brought to our attention by Mike and Howard that a few displays may be inaccurate. We are continuing our dialogue, exploration and fact checking and will make all necessary amendments.’”
Without that, the historical error will continue to have endless traction.
According to Schield, content creation for the Museum’s displays was handled by Barrie Projects.
The breadth and depth of experience among the Olympic Museum’s team are enhanced by Barrie Projects, a museum and cultural planning firm helmed by Kathleen and Dennis Barrie, who has been a consultant to the Museum and collaborators on its initial feasibility study. Barrie Projects has created museums dedicated to the history of rock ‘n’ roll, international spying, and organized crime. Working with Barrie Projects is Michael Devine, who has expertise in business planning for museums and other cultural ventures, according to the USOPM website.
“Let’s hope it is appropriately re-worded and soon. And congratulations to Gorrell for working so hard to right something that is wrong,” wrote The Sports Examiners Editor Rich Perelman on January 31, 2022.
NOTE: On October 24, 2022, the USOPM established the “Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act and Title IX” working group to correct these errors. Led by USOPM’s VP of Athlete Engagement Michelle Dusserre Farrell, the group has consisted of Mike Harrigan, Howard Gorrell, Donna de Varona (a two-time Olympic swimming champion), and Gary Johansen (a former aide to Sen. Ted Stevens.)
Update:
Read my December 6 issue, “Where Is The TSOASA/Title IX-WG Baton?”
Today is the second anniversary of this Gazette publication, and the TSOASA/Title IX Working Group is still waiting for new instructions from the new USOPM CEO.
Howard “Howie” Gorrell attended 13 of the last 14 Deaflympics since 1969 and is a 2004 recipient of the USA Deaf Sports Federation’s Jerald M. Jordan Award, given to those who exhibit leadership and continuous participation toward the goals of the Deaflympics and the 2011 Art Kruger Award for demonstrating leadership and constant participation, support and contribution in the USADSF over an extended period.