Champaign, IL – Champaign Park District to Honor Local Olympic and Paralympic Athletes
Champaign Park District’s Park Board of Commissioners has approved an updated list of local athletes who participated in the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games be added to Champaign’s Tribute to Olympic and Paralympic Athletes monument.
The Tribute to Olympic and Paralympic Athletes at Dodds Park honors the extraordinary achievements of Champaign County residents who have participated in the Olympic or Paralympic Games, as its granite platform is inscribed with their names and the Olympic symbol of linked rings.
Qualifications for induction include the candidate claiming a community within Champaign County as their hometown on the roster, or a candidate moving to Champaign County within five years from the time they participated as an Olympic athlete and remained in residence for a period of fifteen years or more, among other qualifiers.
“Many inductees were previously University of Illinois student athletes, have now graduated, and are now considered permanent residents,” said Joe DeLuce, Champaign Park District Executive Director. “We’re excited at the opportunity to include them in the Tribute and show all the greatness that comes from our community!”
The Tribute Inductees (listed below) will either have their inscriptions created or updated this fall, with an induction ceremony tentatively scheduled for May 2022.
2020 Inductees
Justin Spring, USA Gymnastic participated in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Justin has lived in Champaign, Illinois from 2002 to the present and is currently the Men’s Gymnastics Coach at the University of Illinois.
Michelle Bartsch-Hackley, USA Women’s Volleyball participated in the Tokyo Games 2020 and recorded Champaign, Illinois as her hometown.
Adam Bleakney, USA Wheelchair Track participated in the Sydney Games 2000, Athens Games 2004, Beijing Games 2008, London Games 2012, and coached USA Wheelchair Track in London Games 2012, Rio De Janeiro Games 2016, and Tokyo Games 2020. Adam was named the University of Illinois Wheelchair Track Head Coach in 2005 to present.
Aaron Pike, USA Wheelchair Track participated in London Games 2012, Rio De Janeiro Games 2016, Tokyo Games 2020 and USA Nordic Skiing participated in Sochi Games 2014, PyeongChang Games 2018, and Beijing Games 2022. Aaron has been a resident of Champaign County since 2006.
Stephanie Wheeler, USA Wheelchair Basketball participated in Athens Games 2004, Beijing Games 2008 and USA Wheelchair Basketball coached in Rio De Janeiro Games 2016. Stephanie was named the University of Illinois Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Head Coach in 2009 to present.
Returning Athletes inducted in 2016, now competing in Tokyo 2020
Tatyana McFadden, USA Paralympic Athlete competing in Track and Field in Tokyo 2020. Inducted into the Olympic Paralympic Tribute in 2016.
Amanda McGrory, USA Paralympic Athlete competing in Track and Field in Tokyo 2020. Inducted into the Olympic Paralympic Tribute in 2016.
Brian Siemann, USA Paralympic Athlete competing in Track and Field in Tokyo 2020. Inducted into the Olympic Paralympic Tribute in 2016.
Joshua George, USA Paralympic Athlete competing in Track and Field in Tokyo 2020. Inducted into the Olympic Paralympic Tribute in 2016.
Nichole Millage, USA Paralympic Athlete competing in Sitting Volleyball in Tokyo 2020. Inducted in to the Olympic Paralympic Tribute in 2016
