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Hall of Fame Induction ceremony to support Chicago bid for 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games NORTHBROOK, Ill., April 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and Allstate Insurance Company (NYSE:ALL) today announced the finalists for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2009 at a press event at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. The star-studded nominee list of 15 individuals, five teams and five Paralympians includes Olympic legends such as Teresa Edwards, Gary Hall, Sr., Michael Johnson, Picabo Street, the 1992 Men's Olympic Basketball Team, and more. The finalists were unveiled today at an event headlined by Allstate chairman, president and chief executive officer, Tom Wilson, along with USOC acting CEO Stephanie Streeter, Chicago 2016 chairman and CEO Patrick Ryan, and U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame member John Naber. "The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame celebrates our honorees' commitment to excellence and recognizes Americans who are role models and heroes," Wilson said. "Each of us can find strength, passion and inspiration in these ordinary people who achieved extraordinary success in the Olympics. They help make us proud to be Americans." From now through June 16, fans can cast their votes for the 2009 class of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame online at http://www.teamusa.org/. The inducted class will include five individuals, one team and one Paralympian, as well as three additional individuals: a coach, veteran and special contributor. The inductees will be revealed in early July and will be honored at a black-tie induction ceremony on August 12 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame presented by Allstate is the only national sports Hall of Fame that includes fan voting. "The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame honors Olympic and Paralympic legends who have inspired our country for generations, uniting us behind Team USA and giving us role models who epitomize the Olympic ideals," Streeter said. "Allstate's generous support of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and dedication to celebrating the accomplishments of America's Olympic and Paralympic greats further illustrates their commitment to the Olympic Movement and America's athletes." The August 12 induction ceremony will honor the 2009 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame class and introduce a new international award - the Olive Branch Award - given to an individual or individuals who best represent the international ideals of the Olympic Games by working to build a peaceful and better world through sport. Also new to 2009, the induction ceremony will feature a special fundraising banquet to benefit Chicago 2016, Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. "We are very excited for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, presented by Allstate, to return to Chicago for the fourth time," Ryan said. "Chicago is a city that truly embraces the Olympic Movement, and to have a Chicago company like Allstate involved in celebrating historic Olympic and Paralympic achievements showcases the broad support our city has for the movement." Nominees for the induction class of 2009 were selected by a 10-person nominating committee consisting of athletes, members of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, historians, and USOC representatives. Fans can vote by visiting http://www.teamusa.org/. The nominees are: INDIVIDUALS Greg Barton, canoe/kayak Jeff Blatnick, wrestling Valerie Brisco-Hooks, athletics Tracie Ruiz-Conforto, swimming Teresa Edwards, basketball Gary Hall, Sr., swimming Michael Johnson, athletics Mary T. Meagher, swimming Sheila Young Ochowicz, speedskating Darrell Pace, archery Terry Schroeder, water polo John Smith, wrestling Picabo Street, alpine skiing Peter Westbrook, fencing Willye White, athletics PARALYMPIANS Jean Driscoll, athletics David Larson, athletics Greg Mannino, alpine skiing Tony Volpentest, athletics Sarah Will, alpine skiing TEAMS 1976 U.S. Women's 4x100 Freestyle Relay Team 1992 U.S. Men's Basketball Team 1996 U.S. Synchronized Swimming Team 1998 U.S. Women's Ice Hockey Team 2002 U.S. Women's Bobsled Team For more information on the 2009 nominees, including bios and photos, and a comprehensive list of existing U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame members, please visit http://www.teamusa.org/. About the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame The charter class of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame was enshrined in 1983, with such Olympic legends as Cassius Clay, Peggy Fleming, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, Mark Spitz, and the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" U.S. Olympic Men's Hockey Team. Annual additions continued through 1992, adding Olympic legends such as Bart Conner, Dorothy Hamill, "Sugar Ray" Leonard, Carl Lewis, Greg Louganis, and Mary Lou Retton. In becoming the presenting sponsor, Allstate sparked the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame's revitalization in 2004. During the company's five-year tenure as a partner, the Hall of Fame has inducted numerous decorated Olympic athletes including: Bonnie Blair, Janet Evans, Florence Griffith Joyner, Dan Jansen, Kristi Yamaguchi, and the 1996 "Magnificent Seven" U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team. Following last June's induction of the Class of 2008, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame currently consists of 213 Distinguished Athletes and 13 special contributors. About Allstate The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate(R)" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through approximately 14,700 exclusive Allstate agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate(R). Encompass(R) Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and brokerdealers. Customers can also access information about Allstate Financial Group products and services at myallstatefinancial.com. About the USOC The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the sole entity in the United States whose mission involves training, entering and underwriting the full expenses for the U.S. teams in the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. In addition to being the steward of the U.S. Olympic Movement, the USOC is the moving force for support of sports in the United States that are on the program of the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. About Chicago 2016 Chicago 2016 is a 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to seek the privilege of hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Chicago. The committee's board consists of business, civic, athletic, cultural and academic leaders representing Chicago and the surrounding Midwest region. Patrick Ryan serves as the organization's chairman and CEO. DATASOURCE: Allstate Insurance Company CONTACT: Raleigh Floyd of The Allstate Corporation, +1-847-402-5600; or Bates Grainger of Taylor, +1-704-548-8556, for The Allstate Corporation; or Nicole Saunches of USOC, +1-719-866-2236 Web Site: http://www.allstate.com/ http://www.teamusa.org/

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