FEBRUARY 10, 2010

Olympic fundraising plate still available for purchase

With the Vancouver 2010 Olympics just around the corner, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land reminds motorists that they can support Team USA by purchasing an Olympic license plate. The funds support student athletes training at the U.S. Olympic Education Center (USOEC) at Northern Michigan University in Marquette.

"Purchasing an Olympic plate directly benefits athletes who train in Michigan," Land said. "Plate sales provide funding for the USOEC and show the world our pride in Team USA.

I encourage you to pick up an Olympic plate today."

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

Olympic plates can be ordered:

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

"The USOEC athletes training at Michigan's Olympic Education Center continue to make a positive contribution to the U.S. Olympic Team," USOEC Director Jeff Kleinschmidt said. "The statewide support for the Olympic license plate by Michigan motorists helps to make Olympic dreams come true for future Olympians."

The USOEC at Northern Michigan University is one of four Olympic training centers in the nation and the only one on a college campus. The USOEC hosted the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in short track speedskating last September where the U.S. Olympic Team was selected. In addition, athletes from 34 countries participated in a speedskating World Cup held at the USOEC in November which served as the final Olympic Games qualifying competition. This means that nearly every short track speedskater in the world who is competing at the Olympics traveled through Michigan on the road to Vancouver.

The Vancouver Games run Feb. 12 ? 28.