Dr. Bob Lorinser invites the people of Michigan’s First District to join him in congratulating the First District Olympic delegation.
BEIJING, China — Abby Roque of Sault Ste. Marie — the first Indigenous woman to play for US Women's Hockey — won a silver medal early Thursday morning in the 2022 Olympic Games with Team USA.
Team USA took second to rival Canada in a well-fought gold medal game. Roque capped an incredible Olympic debut with a power play assist late in the third period, nearly sending the final to overtime. She scored her first Olympic goal against Finland in the semi-final game.
Congratulations, Abby. Northern Michigan, the U.P. and the entire Nation are very proud of your incredible accomplishment. You represented the Sault community, the Wahnapitae First Nation, and Michigan’s First District with honor.
The Evolution of Abby Roque
From a passionate youth hockey player to a high school all star, and all the way to a goal, an assist and a silver medal in her first Olympic appearance, Abby Roque's evolution to the 2022 games is no small feat.
Two Northern Michigan skiers place in top 15 in Beijing
Baumgartner wins gold! Northern Michigan and the U.P. go wild
Nick Baumgartner, 40, of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, captured gold with teammate Lindsey Jacobellis in the Mixed Team Snowboarding Cross.
BEIJING, China — In an astounding tale of redemption and Upper Peninsula grit, 40-year-old Nick Baumgartner of Iron River displayed a stunning performance at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
On Thursday, Baumgartner was eliminated in the quarter finals of the men's individual Snowboard Cross competition and gave an emotional post-race interview with NBC.
"I don't think people know how much you put into this," Baumgartner said, choking back tears. "I put so much time and effort and then one little mistake and it's gone."
Baumgartner is the oldest American Olympian in Beijing and the oldest US snowboarder to compete in the Olympics in the history of the sport. This is his fourth time competing for Team USA.
"I'm running out of chances," he said. "I got so much support back home and I feel like I let them down. This one stinks. This one hurts. I just feel bad."
When asked about his plans going forward, he said, "I ain't stopping on this. I've gotta do something better to end with."
Thursday evening Baumgartner got word he would get another chance to vie for a medal in the mixed team races, set for Friday.
He encouraged everyone back home to tune in to watch. Baumgartner and woman's individual gold medalist, teammate Lindsey Jacobellis, crushed their heats and ultimately took gold for Team USA late Friday evening.
The jubilance was contagious and the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan went wild on Facebook and Twitter.
"Nick Baumgartner is a true hometown American hero. He has a heart of gold. We are Baumgartner proud." — Dr. Bob Lorinser
Northern Michigan, the Upper Peninsula, and the United States is so proud. What an accomplishment. Congratulations, Nick and Lindsey.
PREVIOUS ARTICLE JAN. 22
N. Michigan/U.P. Olympians deserve support even as we observe diplomatic boycott
Watching world-class athletes compete at the pinnacles of their careers against the highest caliber of competition is a time-honored tradition we enjoy every Olympiad. Some of the best stories of triumph and victory come from the Games, and this year Beijing will be no exception.
Politically, there’s another critical discussion taking shape, one we ought not to overlook. As a former diplomat with the U.S. State Department and candidate for U.S. Congress, I support the United States government's boycott of the Beijing 2022 Olympics and hope the absence of a diplomatic envoy sends a message to the oppressive Chinese Communist Party – The free world condemns human rights violations of violent, authoritarian regimes.
“China’s continued involvement in genocide against Indigenous Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang region is inhumane, immoral, and wrong.” - Dr. Bob Lorinser
The Olympic Games give us hope that a better world is possible because they set an example of peaceful global interaction and inspiration. Athletic attendance and participation by Team USA ensure the representation of a Nation that holds human dignity in high regard. Many Olympians work their entire lives for the honor of representing their country in their respective sports, and it’s important we preserve that opportunity.
Ultimately, the mission of the Olympics is admirable – “The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.”
Because Communist China cannot adhere to this principle in the governing of their Republic, a diplomatic boycott is appropriate.
Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will, and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life-based on the joy of effort, the educational value of a good example, social responsibility, and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.
The Olympic Movement covers the five continents. It reaches its peak with the bringing together of the world’s athletes at the great sports festival, the Olympic Games. Its symbol is five interlaced rings, a symbol of unity.
The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind, and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity, and fair play.
The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Olympic Charter shall be secured without discrimination of any kind, such as race, color, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinions, national or social origin, property, birth or another status.
We wish all American athletes success and glory at the Games, especially in upholding the values of Olympism.
Good luck to Abby Roque, Nick Baumgartner, Kailia Kuhn, Winter Vinecki of Michigan’s First Congressional District, and all those with ties to the State. Go, Team USA.
MICHIGAN 2022 ATHLETES
Madison Chock and Evan Bates
Chock Hometown: Novi
Bates Hometown: Ann Arbor
Event: Ice Dancing
Matty Beniers
School: University of Michigan
Event: USA Men’s Hockey Team
Brendan Brisson
School: University of Michigan
Event: USA Men’s Hockey Team
Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue
Hubbell Hometown: Okemos
Donohue: Trained at Detroit Skating Club
Event: Ice Dancing
Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker
Hawayek: Trained at Detroit Skating Club
Baker: Trained at Detroit Skating Club
Event: Ice Dancing
Jessica Calalang and Brian Johnson
Johnson Hometown: Farmington Hills
Event: Pairs Skating Alternates
*Nick Baumgartner*
Hometown: Iron Mountain
Event: Snowboard Cross
*Winter Vinecki*
Hometown: Gaylord
Event: Freestyle Skiing Aerials
*Kaila Kuhn*
Hometown: Boyne City
Event: Freestyle Skiing Aerials
*Abby Roque*
Hometown: Sault Ste. Marie
Event: USA Women’s Hockey Team
Ryan Pivirotto
Hometown: Ann Arbor
Event: Short Track Speed Skating
1,000 meter, 1500 meter, 500 meter, Mixed Relay
Megan Keller
Hometown: Farmington Hills
Event: USA Women’s Hockey Team
Andy Miele
Hometown: Grosse Pointe Woods
Event: USA Men’s Hockey Team
Pat Nagle
Hometown: Bloomfield Township
Event: USA Men’s Hockey Team
Strass Mann
School: University of Michigan
Event: USA Men’s Hockey Team
Steven Kampfer
Hometown: Jackson
School: University of Michigan
Event: USA Men’s Hockey Team
John Vanbiesbrouck
Hometown: Detroit
Event: USA Men’s Hockey Team
Team General Manager
Dr. Bob Lorinser, Dr. Bob, Lorinser, Jack Bergman, Nick Baumgartner, Olympics, Abby Roque, Northern Michigan, Upper Peninsula, Diplomatic Boycott, IOC, Internation Olympic Committee, UP Athletes,