The USOC has revealed the names of the 27 student leaders from colleges and universities across the country who have been selected to participate in the 24th annual FLAME programme ©USOC

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has revealed the names of the 27 student leaders from colleges and universities across the country who have been selected to participate in the 24th annual Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere (FLAME) programme.

The 2017 programme is due to be held from July 25 to August 1 at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Among those on the list of student leaders are Jessica Barquero, Andres Brito, Pelemarie Buika, Allyson Burr, Phillip Butler Jr, Vanessa Chandler, Jonathan Chaves, Patricia Chen, Isaiah Covington, Gabriella Galassini, Jasmine Holmes-Settles, Sherrelle Jordan, Jennifer Lamothe and Craig Malveaux.

Candace Martin, Jade McCrary, Raquel Miranda, Steven Morris, Destiny Morton, Aboshioma Obemeata, Destini Orr, Steven Payne, Meneftha Pierre, Gabriel Quintero, Miranda Rivera, Adam Saunders and Gabriella Scott have also been named on the programme.

FLAME is designed to inspire undergraduate and graduate students of colour to pursue careers within the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.

Selected participants have demonstrated a pursuit of excellence within their own communities and have the opportunity to further their personal and professional growth by connecting with US Olympic and Paralympic athletes, USOC and national governing body leaders and others who have achieved success in the sports industry.

The programme provides students with an in-depth look at the Olympic and Paralympic Movements and personal exploration of the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.

It also offers a pathway for talented youth to become further involved in the Olympic and Paralympic Movements, either through the USOC’s internship programme, or other sports-related career and volunteer opportunities.

Goalball player Amanda Dennis, a Rio 2016 Paralympic Games bronze medallist, is among the athletes on the 2017 speaker programme ©Getty Images
Goalball player Amanda Dennis, a Rio 2016 Paralympic Games bronze medallist, is among the athletes on the 2017 speaker programme ©Getty Images

Participants in this year’s programme represent 16 states from across the nation.

During the eight-day programme, FLAME participants will reside at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center and spend time with US Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls.

The programme will include professional development workshops, leadership seminars and networking sessions.

The 2017 speaker programme is highlighted by several US Olympians and Paralympians, including Tommie Smith and John Carlos, the respective gold and bronze medallists in the men’s 200 metres at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico.

Two-time Olympic bobsledder Chris Coleman also features on the programme along with Rio 2016 Paralympic Games bronze medal-winning goalball player Amanda Dennis and three other Paralympians - long jumper John Register, swimmer Letticia Martinez and wheelchair basketball player Jermell Pennie.

Additional speakers include Ashland Johnson, director of public education and research at the Human Rights Campaign, as well as Erin Pellegrino, vice-president of events and programming for the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality, and several leaders from the US Olympic and Paralympic family.

The programme will also feature Jason Collins, a former National Basketball Association (NBA) player and NBA Cares global ambassador as the USOC’s FLAME invited speaker. 

Additional activities will include Paralympic sport demonstrations, a golf workshop organised by the Professional Golfers' Association of America and a trip to a Colorado Springs Switchbacks Football Club game.