Denver - U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Mitt Romney (R-Utah) announced that their bipartisan resolution honoring Team USA Olympic and Paralympic athletes competing in the 2022 Winter Games passed the Senate unanimously. The Olympic Games began in Beijing today. Bennet and Klobuchar serve as co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate Olympic and Paralympic Caucus.

“The Olympics are incredibly important to Colorado,” said Bennet. “Our state not only hosts the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, but also has the second highest number of athletes representing America this year. As the games begin, the Senate affirms its support for the American delegation and their commitment to excellence, teamwork, and fair competition. We wish them the best of luck.”

“Minnesota has a great tradition of excelling at winter sports – the long winters give us plenty of time to practice! – so it’s no surprise our state is well represented in this year’s games,” Klobuchar said. “This resolution recognizes our strong bipartisan support for all members of Team USA who have been preparing for this for years and will compete for our country. I look forward to cheering them on.”

“The Olympics represent some of the best qualities of the human spirit. With this resolution, we celebrate the Olympics’ commitment to sportsmanship and excellence, and we recognize our athletes on the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams who have trained their entire lives to compete on the world stage. When the Games commence this weekend, I look forward to hearing the U.S. National Anthem played in Beijing,” Romney said.

The 24 Coloradans on the U.S. Olympic Team include: Nina O’Brien, Denver, alpine skiing; River Radamus, Edwards, alpine skiing; Mikaela Shiffrin, Edwards, alpine skiing; Hailey Swirbul, El Jebel cross-country skiing; Brandon Frazier, Colorado Springs, figure skating; Aaron Blunck, Crested Butte, freestyle/freeski; Hanna Faulhaber, Basalt, freestyle/freeski; Alex Ferreira, Aspen, freestyle/freeski; Birk Irving, Winter Park, freestyle/freeski; Dylan Walczyk, Blue River, freestyle/freeski; Nicholas Shore, Denver, ice hockey; Nicole Hensley, Lakewood, ice hockey; Taylor Fletcher, Steamboat Springs, nordic combined; Jasper Good, Steamboat Springs, nordic combined; Chris Corning, Avon, snowboarding; Mick Dierdorff, Steamboat Springs, snowboarding; Lucas Foster, Telluride, snowboarding; Stacy Gaskill, Golden, snowboarding; Red Gerard, Silverthorne, snowboarding; Taylor Gold, Steamboat Springs, snowboarding; Hagen Kearney, Norwood, snowboarding; Meghan Tierney, Eagle, snowboarding; Cody Winters, Steamboat Springs, snowboarding; Decker Dean, Steamboat Springs, ski jumping.

The text of the resolution is available HERE and below.

Commemorating the success of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams in the past 24 Olympic Winter Games and 12 Paralympic Winter Games and supporting the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams in the 2022 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games. 

Whereas for more than 100 years, the Olympic and Paralympic movements have—

(1) educated young people through amateur athletics;

(2) brought together athletes from many countries in friendly competition; and

(3) forged new relationships among athletes bound by friendship, solidarity, and fair play;

Whereas at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, 91 nations will compete in 109 events across 15 disciplines in 7 sports, and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams referred to in this preamble as “Team USA” will compete in all 7 sports;

Whereas at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, approximately 16 nations will compete in 78 events across 6 disciplines in 2 sports, and Team USA will compete in all 2 sports;

Whereas at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, the Team USA roster includes 224 athletes with the largest ever female contingent for Team USA at an Olympic Winter Games;

Whereas at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, the Team USA roster currently includes 10 athletes, and many more athletes are expected to qualify;

Whereas, during the past 24 Olympic Winter Games, Team USA has won 105 gold medals, 112 silver medals, and 88 bronze medals, totaling 305 medals;

Whereas, during the past 12 Paralympic Winter Games, Team USA has won 111 gold medals, 119 silver medals, and 85 bronze medals, totaling 315 medals;

Whereas the people of the United States stand united in respect and admiration for the members of Team USA and the athletic accomplishments, sportsmanship, and dedication to excellence of Team USA;

Whereas the many accomplishments of Team USA would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of many parties, including the many sports organizations, administrators, coaches, and family members who provide critical support to the athletes of Team USA;

Whereas the United States takes great pride in the athletes of Team USA exhibiting a commitment to excellence, grace under pressure, and good will toward other competitors;

Whereas the United States maintains a commitment to the safety and security of Team USA;

Whereas 31 States will be represented on Team USA, with the largest contingents coming from California, Minnesota, Colorado, and Utah; and

Whereas Team USA exemplifies rigorous competition, fair play, and the pursuit of dreams: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) applauds the athletes and coaches of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams referred to in this resolution as “Team USA” and the families who support them; and

(2) supports the athletes of Team USA in competing at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games and the Paralympic Winter Games.