PARK CITY, Utah (May 4) – U.S. Freestyle Ski Team veteran Emily Cook is accompanying a delegation of athletes representing the children’s nonprofit organization Kids Play Int'l during a visit to Rwanda this month.
Kids Play Int'l was started by and continues to be run by former top-ranked aerialist Tracy Evans. The organization uses sport to educate African youth on and off the field. On the field through the Let's Play Community Sports Education Program and off the field through the KIDS Dream Big Scholarship fund which sponsors young children to go to school.
On May 6, Cook and four other athletes – Jamie Komer, Olympic silver medalist in Water Polo, Cameron Myler, four-time Olympian in Luge, Tracy Evans, three-time Olympian in aerials, and Anne Poulin, pro soccer player – will head to the rural area of Gataraga, Rwanda, to spend two weeks with kids who participate in the “LET’S PLAY!” community sports education program.
“We’re all very proud to be a part of the upcoming trip, as well as the Kids Play program,” said Cook. “I can’t wait to be involved in LET’S PLAY! in Rwanda and to work with the kids and coaches there."
With the combined efforts, enthusiasm and passion of four Olympians and one Pro Athlete, sport has the opportunity to change these children's world!
About the USSA
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) is the national governing body of Olympic skiing and snowboarding and the parent of the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing. Developed to facilitate participation in national and international competition, the Olympic sports organization provides structure for competitive skiing and snowboarding. From grassroots programs to governance of sport, management of rules, competitions and athletic rankings, the USSA oversees athletic pipelines for development in the sports. With a vision to make the USA the best in the world in Olympic skiing and snowboarding, the USSA provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders who share an Olympic dream while maintaining a strong adherence to core values. The USSA, established in 1905, operates out of the national training and education facility, the Center of Excellence, in Park City, UT. For more information, visit www.ussa.org.
