Irvine's Olympic roots
Irvine has incredible ties to the Olympics and a remarkable history of supporting athletics.
In the piazza at Irvine City Hall, visitors can find tiles recognizing Irvine residents and students who have represented our country, and indirectly our city in the Olympic Games.
Irvine resident Dotsie Bausch is a seven-time USA Cycling National Champion and 2012 Summer Olympics Silver medalist. Irvine High graduate Amanda Beard, as well as Irvine-born Aaron Peirsol, and Jason Lezak have brought home Olympic medals in swimming. Woodbridge High graduate Natasha Watley at the US Women's Softball teams earned medals in 2004 in Athens and 2008 in Beijing. UC Irvine has had countless athletes participate in the Olympics, as well.
During the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, the William Woollett Aquatics Center (then known as Heritage Park Aquatics Center) was the venue for the swimming portion of the Pentathlon.
This Thursday, USA Water Polo will continue to bolster Irvine's reputation for it's commitment to athletics and the sporting community.
Join me as we welcome USA Water Polo and the entire community to learn more about the Olympic ideals of fair play, perseverance, respect, and sportsmanship. Click the flyer below for more details.
I hope to see you there!
(pictured above: USA Water Polo's Collegiate Cup hosted at Woollett Aquatics Center in November 2015)
