Winter Olympics

David L. Horne, Ph.D.  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Mar 11 2010

The politics of winter sports

President Obama is sure to bring the U.S. Winter Olympic team to the White House for a visit sometime soon. There among the mainly White guests will be Shani Davis, America’s best long track speed skater and the current world record holder at two distances--the 1000 meters and the 1500 meters. Don’t expect to see Mr. Davis in a Disneyland ad or on a Wheaties box anytime soon, however.

Cynthia E. Griffin  |   OW Managing Editor
Feb 18 2010

Black presence in winter Olympics grows

On February 12 when the Olympic athletes marched into Vancouver’s BC Place proudly displaying their country’s colors, there were probably not many Black folks in the viewing audience.
That absence just might be a mistake, because during the 2010 Olympics in Canada, athletes of African descent will represent at least 10 countries from around the globe.

Cynthia E. Griffin  |   OW Managing Editor
Feb 18 2010

Philip Boit

Philip Boit, a Kenyan cross country skier, was dealt a heart-wrenching blow, when the International Ski Federation and the International Olympic Committee refused to allow him to compete in Vancouver because he had too many qualifying points.
In simple terms, under the Olympic qualifying process, the further a skier’s time is away from the winning time of a race, the more points he or she receives. In order to qualify to compete, Boit needed to have 300 points or less (officials recently reduced the total down from 500). His point total was 302.

Cynthia E. Griffin  |   OW Managing Editor
Jan 28 2010

Black presence in 2010 winter Olympics grows

On February 12 when the Olympic athletes march into Vancouver’s BC Place proudly displaying their country’s colors, there probably will not be many of Black folks in the viewing audience.
That absence just might be a mistake, because during the 2010 Olympics in Canada, athletes of African descent will represent at least 10 countries from around the globe.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
California
Yvette Hollingsworth was recently named chief compliance officer for Wells Fargo & Co. Hollingsworth, who most recently served as managing director and global head of operations compliance and financial crimes compliance & risk management for Barclays Corporate & Investment Bank, will begin her new role on June 1, 2012. Hollingsworth will be based in San Francisco, and will report to Caryl Athanasiu, executive vice president and chief operational risk officer in the corporate risk group. As chief compliance officer, Hollingsworth will be responsible for ensuring that all areas of the company meet compliance management responsibilities and abide by all applicable laws and regulations. Her team will continue to provide independent oversight of business-based compliance management activities.
District of Columbia
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) issued the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm Los Angeles attorney Paul Watford to serve on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals: “It is great news that the Senate has confirmed Paul Watford, an exceptionally talented attorney, to serve on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has a breadth of experience as a former prosecutor and a top appellate litigator and will make an excellent addition to the federal bench. However, I am very disappointed that more of my Republican colleagues did not join us in backing this highly qualified nominee.” When Watford is sworn in, he will be only the second African American serving on the Ninth Circuit.