One Country, One Dream, One Team

Patriotism, pride, and perseverance, the three characteristics that all Olympic Athletes on Team USA intend to bring to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.

“All athletes have a vision and a dream, and there’s a tremendous amount of sacrifice that goes along with pursuing that dream,’’ said Angela Ruggiero. “But I think in the end, whether you make it or not, it’s worth it.”

Ruggiero won four Olympic medals playing for the US women’s hockey team and is now a member of the International Olympic Committee.

She knows the meaning of team better than anyone.

“We’re not doing it to get rich, we’re not doing it for someone else, we’re doing it for ourselves and for our country,” she said. “Your teammates are the ones who pick you up when you fall down, they are the ones that high five you when you score that big goal, and that’s one of the most esteeming parts about it, having the shared experience.”

To learn about that shared experience and to kick off the countdown to Sochi, Liberty Mutual Insurance and the Boston Globe hosted a panel on Jan. 10, 2014, at the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston. A ballroom full of eager and excited people got the opportunity to come face to face with Ruggerio and other US Olympic athletes, as well as other members of the US Olympic and Paralympic organizations. The panel also included snowboarder Chris Klug; skier Picabo Street; Charlie Huebner, chief of paralympics for the US Olympic committee; Lisa Baird, chief marketing officer of the USOC; John Powers, who will cover the Olympics for the Globe; and Patrick Meek, a speed skater who will be representing Team USA in the 2014 Games.

All of the Olympians, both past and present, expressed a sense of pride that comes with being part of Team USA. The one thing that has the power to unite an entire country is a team. Believing and supporting a group of extremely talented athletes all working toward one common goal, this is what America thrives on.

“We are a country that takes great pride in our athletes and what they do,’’ said Baird. “I would love to say that almost uniquely, because the Olympic and the Paralympic movements are unique to our culture, they are the only team that everyone roots for and wants to do well.”

Unlike most countries, the American government does not fund the Olympic athletes. The money is raised privately through organizations and donations.

“One of the favorite sayings is that ‘America doesn’t send the athletes to the Olympics, the Americans do,’ ” said Baird.

Americans take great pride in the athletes that go to the Olympics and represent their nation. For the athletes, according to Klug, representing their country is the most memorable part of their experience.

“In 2002, those were the two best weeks of my life,’’ he said. “I got to hold the World Trade Center flag found in the rubble from 9/11 in the Opening Ceremonies.”

Klug serves as an inspiration. He is the definition of determination, perseverance, and hard work.

He underwent a life-saving liver transplant in 2000 and proceeded to bounce back to participate in the 2002 Winter Olympics and win a bronze medal in the parallel giant slalom.

To go through such a major surgery and have success is amazing, but to then train and get back to the Olympics just two years after and win is unbelievable.

“After going through the transplant and what I call, ‘My race for my life,’ racing my snowboard came easily after that,’’ he said. “And as scary as it was, I really did grow from those experiences and it helped me bounce back and go after my lifelong dreams.”

After accomplishing his dreams, Klug set out to help athletes and anyone who needs a second chance at life to achieve their goals. In 2003, he started the Chris Klug Foundation, which, he said, has raised almost $2 million for organ tissue donation awareness and education.

Street, who won gold in the Super G in 1998 and silver in the downhill in 1994, believes that no success comes without hard work and determination.

“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail is our motto,’’ she said.

Street, an athlete in a solo sport, like Klug and Meek, remembers the role those around her played in her journey.

“That’s the beautiful thing about the Olympic movement and what we serve … you need support you need help, not just from your family, but from sponsors and companies,’’ she said. “It goes hand in hand and it’s perfect because that’s exactly what the Olympics is, it’s a family of everyone pulling together for the same common goal.”

That same sense of team will be present for athletes in Sochi.

“The biggest thing that I’ve learned is that I didn’t do this alone,’’ said Meek. “There’s one person out there who’s competing, but I’m not alone …I’m like the last piece of the puzzle, even in the individual sports, there is such a big team behind us who support us.”

As America prepares to watch the Olympic Games in Sochi and cheer on Team USA, remember the messages these Olympians shared: the Olympic journey is more than a medal, a race, or competition. It’s about family, pride in country, and capturing dreams.

–Feb. 5, 2013–