Dr. Bob Lorinser invites the people of Michigan’s First District to join him in sending good luck to the First District Olympic delegation, while also supporting the U.S. diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Games.
We congratulate Abby Roque, Nick Baumgartner, Kaila Kuhn, and Winter Vinecki of Michigan’s First District as they head to Beijing for the 2022 XXIV Olympic Winter Games. All are inspirations in their sport and will represent Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula well.
Kailia Kuhn of Boyne City was a competitive gymnast and aerial skiing junior champion at age 14. Her teammate, Gaylord’s Winter Vinecki, is a former triathlete and marathon runner turned winter athlete who's been aerial skiing since she was 13. Nick Baumgartner, 40, from Iron River is the oldest American snowboarder in U.S. history. Also making history is Abby Roque of Sault Ste. Marie. Roque is the first Indigenous woman ever to play hockey for Team USA.
Abby Roque of Sault Ste. Marie and Team USA Hockey
Women’s Hockey Schedule
Thurs. Feb. 3, 8:10 a.m. Finland vs. USA
(USA Network, Peacock, NBCOlympics.com)
Sat. Feb. 5, 8:10 a.m. USA vs. ROC
(USA Network, Peacock, NBCOlympics.com)
Sun. Feb. 6, 8:10 a.m. SUI vs the USA
(NBCOlympics.com)
Mon. Feb. 7, 11:10 a.m. USA vs. CAN
(Pregame at 10:45 a.m. USA Network, Peacock, NBCOlympics.com)
Fri. Feb. 11 - Sat. Feb 12 Semifinals
Mon. Feb. 14 - Quarterfinals
Fri. Feb. 17 - 12:10 p.m. Gold Medal Game
UPDATE — In an astounding tale of redemption, Nick Baumgartner of the U.P. just won a gold medal at the Olympics in Team Snowboard Cross with Lindsey Jacobellis. Michigan's First District is so proud. Congratulations, Nick and Lindsey! 🇺🇸🥇
After a heart wrenching elimination, Nick Baumgartner of Iron River will be competing in the team snowboarding cross competition with gold medalist, Lindsey Jacobellis. It will air tonight, Fri. Feb. 11 at 7-10pm CST / 8-11pm EDT on NBC.
Snowboard Cross Schedule
Wed. Feb. 9, 10:15 p.m. ET - Men's Snowboard Cross Seeding Run 1
Wed. Feb. 9, 11:10 p.m. ET - Men's Snowboard Cross Seeding Run 2
Wed. Feb. 10, 12:00 a.m. ET - Men's Snowboard Cross 1/8 Finals
Wed. Feb. 10, 12:37 a.m. ET - Men's Snowboard Cross Quarterfinals
Wed. Feb. 10, 12:58 a.m. ET - Men's Snowboard Cross Semifinals
Wed. Feb. 10, 1:15 a.m. ET - Men's Snowboard Cross Small Final
Wed. Feb. 10, After Small Final - Men's Snowboard Cross Big Final
The Snowboard Cross will air at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wed. Feb. 9 - 1:30 a.m. Thurs. Feb. 10 on USA Network and NBC. Baumgartner will also compete in the team competition with U.S. female gold medalist, Lindsey Jacobellis. It will air on NBC at 8 p.m. CST / 9 p.m. EDT on Fri. Feb. 11.
Kailia Kuhn of Boyne City and Gaylord’s Winter Vinecki will compete in a qualification run on Sun. Feb. 13 at 6 a.m. ET to advance to the final on Mon. Feb. 14 at 6 a.m. ET.
Women's Freestyle Skiing Aerials Schedule
Sun. Feb. 13, 6 a.m. ET - Women's Aerials Qualification
Mon. Feb. 14, 6 a.m. ET - Women’s Aerials Final
Both events will be streamed live on Peacock.
PREVIOUS ARTICLE JAN. 23, 2022
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,