Allowing the District of Columbia to field its own Olympic teams

"It's Time To Represent!"
Mike Panetta
U.S. "Shadow" Representative (DC) and Chairman of the District of Columbia Olympic Committee

Just like many good ideas, this one started over a few beers at the Adams Mill Bar several years ago. I was watching the 2004 Olympic opening ceremonies and said to myself, "That looks cool, I wish I could march in the opening ceremonies." Being way past my prime athletically to make any U.S. team, I began to think about what tropical countries would be open to me sliding them a few bucks to make me a winter athlete - after all whose job would I be taking?

Then something weird happened a few days later. The U.S. Men's Basketball Team lost to the Puerto Rican Olympic team in a stunning upset. Like many Americans, my biggest questions were: "Why the hell does Puerto Rico have a team? Aren't they part of the United States?"

I did a little looking around and found out that not only does Puerto Rico have a team, but so does Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands - all part of the United States.

The wheels started turning in my head. I knew that Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, while part of the United States, each only have one, non-voting delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives. The District of Columbia also only has one, non-voting delegate in the U.S. House. However, unlike those other American territories DC lacks its own Olympic committee.

That is until now. Together with some friends and co-workers who live in the District we started a movement -- the District of Columbia Olympic Committee. The first team we organized in 2006 was curling, we tried our hand at racewalking during the 2008 summer games, and now we're back on the ice getting the curling team back together. So, if you live in the District and want to compete email us today!

If the District is going to be lumped in with the other red-headed stepchildren of American representative democracy, we should at least be able to compete with our own Olympic teams like other territories.

We're doing to this to both have fun and make a point about representative democracy in our city. Please help us out by taking action and sign our petition the International Olympic Committee to recognize the DCOC and then spread the word to others about this effort.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are some of the questions we get at DCOC on a regular basis:

How do I get in touch with someone about this project?

Our email address is: dcolympicteam@gmail.com. Or you can try Mike Panetta at (202) 253-6534 or mike(dot)panetta(at)gmail(dot)com.

Is this an official Olympic team?

Let's be clear, folks -- we are NOT officially recognized by the US Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Committe, Olympic Airways, Olympic Tires, or even Olympia Dukakis (though we loved her in "Moonstruck"). However, are trying to get recognized by the IOC, and you can help by spreading the word and sending a letter to the IOC in support of our efforts.

Are you guys serious?

We are serious about sending a message regarding DC's lack of Congressional representation. If it takes the formation of an pseudo-Olympic movement to make that happen, so be it. You can help by spreading the word and sending a letter to the IOC to let them know what we are up to.

Who started this?

The idea was hatched by Mike Panetta after the Puerto Rican basketball team beat the U.S. Olympic team in the Athens Olympics. He recruited a bunch of friends and co-workers who live in DC, and DCOC was born in January 2006. In November 2006, Mike Panetta was elected to the postion of U.S. "Shadow" Representative for the District of Columbia, and continues to be a leader in the fight to gain Congressional voting rights for the District.

Are you going to Vancouver in February?

You buy, we fly. Seriously, if someone were to fund a trip for the team, we could do work some of our PR magic and make a big splash over there -- and get some press for the DC voting rights issue. Contact Mike Panetta at dcolympicteam@gmail.com if you are interested.

Say you're in the opening ceremonies, would you march in with the U.S. Flag?

Now, of course, we are all Americans and we love our flag. However, since we can't point to a star that represents DC on it, we'll use both DC and U.S. Flags.

If someone wins a medal, what song will be played at the podium?

Good question. Since we are Americans, it would still be the "Star Spangled Banner" just like the U.S. Olympic teams do. Hoewever, we'd love to get a a go-go version of the song made by Chuck Brown.

I have loads of cash and or free stuff to give away and I want to be a sponsor. How do I do that?

Contact Mike Panetta at dcolympicteam@gmail.com if you are interested.

The District of Columbia is a "Federal District", whereas Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are classified as "insular areas". How does that affect your plans?

First of all, you really should stop wasting the taxpayers' money trying to impress us and get back to your job at the Department of Interior. Second, it's up to the International Olympic Committee to recognize national committees, and there are all sort of odd recognitions in addition to Puerto Rico, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands. For example Hong Kong still sends a team even though they are now part of the People's Republic of China. The IOC also recognized Palestine's Olympic committee - even they are not technically a state. Also listed with an Olympic team is Taiwan and there are many countries and international bodies that do not recognize its sovergnity. There's enough loophole to squeeze the DCOC through.

I'm would up here after looking for curling information in DC...where can I do that?

That's cool. Contact our friends at the Potomac Curling Club. They were very hospitable to us, and are a great bunch of folks. It's a fun place to learn how to play, and they have open houses about once a month. Check it out at: http://www.curldc.org/