Competing in the Olympics

2/22/2010
Jamie Moriarty, University School Class of 1999, will be competing in the upcoming Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, February 12-28, in the sport of bobsled. The U.S. bobsled team was officially announced after a recent race in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

Click here to see coverage of Jamie on WKYC/NBC.

Click here to listen to a segment on Jamie that recently aired on 90.3 WCPN/NPR.

As one of 123 athletes representing the United States in the Olympic Games, Jamie said that being selected for the team was an experience beyond description.

"I am so honored to be among such a select group of athletes," he said. "From the moment I set out to bobsled, my ultimate goal was to make the Olympic team. After four long years of sacrifice, hard work, and commitment, hearing my name being called was more like a dream than a reality.

"The Olympics is sports' greatest stage," he added. "Knowing that I will be competing in front of billions of people united around the world only enriches my drive for competition and performance. To me, it's not just about being a part of the 2010 Olympic team, but also being a member of this ancient network of exclusive athletes that dates back to the 8th century B.C."

Jamie was an avid football player at University School. A graduate of Cornell University where he played safety on the football team, Jamie joined the U.S. bobsled team in 2006. He finished sixth at the 2007 Junior World Championships with driver John Napier and teamed up with Napier again to win two gold medals in 4-man on the America's Cup tour in the 2008-2009 season. To read more about Jamie’s bobsledding career, click here.

As he considers the upcoming Olympic Games, Jamie said he is most looking forward to the opening ceremonies.

"I've heard from teammates and coaches that the opening ceremonies are one of the most overwhelming experiences of your life," he said. "I think that's when this whole experience will really hit home and it will finally sink in that I am actually competing in the Olympics."

When asked about his team's chances for success at the Games, Jamie said that for his sled, the whole season has been full of challenges and he doesn't expect it to get any easier.

"There is not a specific challenge other than the amazing teams and countries we will be competing against on the Whistler track," he noted. "As long as we keep ourselves prepared, I believe we will put ourselves in a good position for a great outcome."