With the countdown to the Beijing 2008 Olympics under way, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land reminds motorists that they can support Team USA by purchasing an Olympic license plate.

Land and the U.S. Olympic Education Center (USOEC) at Northern Michigan University in Marquette are promoting plate sales during a summer campaign called Drive the Olympic Dream.

"The world-class athletes training right here in Michigan have a commitment to excellence that is second to none," Land said. "But making Olympic dreams come true is a long road that requires public and financial support. Michigan drivers can do their part by sporting an Olympic license plate on their vehicles. It provides helpful funding for the USOEC and shows the world our pride in Team USA."

All Secretary of State offices are participating in the campaign by displaying posters and convenient palm cards with information on ordering a plate.

"Since 1985, USOEC athletes have won more than 80 Olympic medals," USOEC Director Jeff Kleinschmidt said. "This statewide support for our license plate will go a long way to help ‘drive the dream' for our future Olympians."

The Olympic plate costs $35 in addition to the annual vehicle registration fee. Twenty-five dollars goes to support student athletes training at the USOEC. When plates are renewed, the additional $10 goes entirely to the USOEC.

The plate has the blue bar and white background of Michigan's standard license plate. It also incorporates the globally recognized Olympic rings on the left, flanked by "USA" in red letters and "U.S. Olympic Education Center" in blue. The phrase "Olympic Spirit," also in red, accentuates the bottom of the plate.

More than 66,000 Olympic plates have been sold and renewed, generating over $1.9 million since they were made available in June 1995.

Olympic plates can be ordered:

• At any Secretary of State branch
• By downloading a form that can be mailed or faxed at www.Michigan.gov/sos
• By visiting the USOEC at www.nmu.edu/usoec or calling (906) 227-2888.

Adding to the plate's appeal is the new option to personalize it. Simply go to the Plate It Your Way program at www.Michigan.gov/sos which lets customers check availability of their preferred character configuration before visiting a Secretary of State office. Personalized plate applications are only available at branch offices.

The USOEC at Northern Michigan University is one of four Olympic training centers in the nation and the only one on a college campus. It is the country's second-largest Olympic training center with more than 80 resident athletes and coaches.

Over 25,000 athletes from 44 countries have trained at the USOEC since 1985. USOEC athletes have represented the U.S. at the Olympic Games more than 300 times.

The Beijing Games run Aug. 8 - 24.