African American Army Reservist slides for gold and
history in Olympic (Winter) games as part of
U.S. Bobsled team

African American Newswire/PARK CITY, UT (Jan. 15, 2002) - Army Reservist 2nd Lt. Garrett Hines hopes to return home with an Olympic medal. Hines, 32, is a member of the United States Bobsled team for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah and is the brakeman for the top-ranked four-man sled in the world. Recent World Cup performances make his team a strong medal favorite when the bobsled competition begins February16th in Park City, Utah. The Chicago native has an extra incentive: if Hines manages to slide to the medal stand, he would become the first African American male to win a medal in the Olympic Winter Games

"It is an honor to represent my country both as an Olympian and as a Soldier in the 2002 Winter Games," he said. "It give me great pride to compete for the gold next month. Hopefully, I will be the first African-American male to win a medal in a winter sport. We are the fastest, strongest team in the world," said Hines, who began Bobsledding in 1992.

This is Hines' second Olympic Winter Games; he was a member of the two-and four-man American bobsled team in Nagano, Japan in 1998. His four-man team placed fifth, just 0.02 seconds short of the bronze medal. For his commitment and achievement, Hines was selected the 1998 Army Athlete of the Year.

Hines currently resides in Lake Mary, Florida working at Home Depot and is an Environmental Engineer Officer in the Army Reserve. An exceptional athlete like Hines attributes his success to the Army Reserve and credits them with bringing an Olympic medal within his reach.

"My training in the Army Reserve really helped me set goals as a civilian, a soldier and as an athlete," Hines says. "Competing in the Winter Games is one more way for me to serve my country."

Hines, who has traveled around the world with his sport, admits it is not easy being one of the few African Americans on the slopes in countries like Germany, Italy and Switzerland, to name a few. "It can be difficult at times," says Hines, "but competition is competition and it levels the playing field. Everyone is equal on that day of competition."

Hines did not grow up with dreams of hurtling down a steep, icy 1300-meter chute at 85 miles per hour. As a student he focused on other sports, and his athletic skills earned him an athletic scholarship to Southern Illinois University, where the 6-foot, 210-pound athlete played football and ran track. Hines graduated with a BA in Biological Sciences and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Education.

Hines' speed and strength attracted the attention of a bobsled driver, who asked him to come out for the team. Bobsledding has a history of recruiting track athletes and football players. Hines was able to continue his development as a pusher and brakeman after joining the Army Reserve in 1996, where he was accepted into the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program.

In high school and college, Hines enjoyed running fast and scoring touchdowns. Now, pushing a 1,400-pound sled and sliding for gold has engrossed him. "Those 50 seconds is an eternity of time," says Hines, as he describes a typical run.
"There is an unbelievable rush of adrenaline when you feel the sled pickup to 85 miles per hour, knowing at any time you could crash. When you get to the bottom and you're fast - that is the biggest thrill in the world."

The Army Reserve of the 21st Century continues to be a cornerstone of the nation's defense. The Army Reserve provides trained and ready combat support and combat service support units and soldiers, and provides power projection capabilities to support Army operations worldwide. Citizen-soldiers of the Army Reserve play a significant role in maintaining our interests both at home and abroad.

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For more information about the U.S. Army Reserve contact:

Lt. Col. Boyd Collins, U.S. Army Reserve Command in Atlanta, 404/464.9251

For additional information on the Army reserve, visit www.goarmyreserve.com