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Plans develop to celebrate South Shore Olympians

Griffin Rogers
griffin@tahoedailytribune.com
Jamie Anderson celebrates after winning the women's snowboard slopestyle final Feb. 9. She is one of three South Shore Olympians that many in the community hope to honor when she returns home.
Associated Press File | AP

Winter Olympians Jamie Anderson, Hannah Teter and Maddie Bowman will likely receive a hero’s welcome when they return home to the South Shore later this year.

Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort — a sponsor for the women — has met with the City of South Lake Tahoe to discuss plans of creating a coming home celebration for the three athletes.

Although planning is still in its early stages, officials on both sides reported the possibility of a parade, live music, award ceremony and more.



“We definitely want to honor our champions,” said city spokesperson Anita Good, “and we want to work with the community to do whatever we can to honor and support them.”

The city is also considering issuing a proclamation and giving each athlete a key to the city, she said. But before organizers solidify a plan, they want to make sure the humble competitors are OK with having a celebration in their honor.



Joe Anderson, Jamie Anderson’s father, said he personally knows of at least one Olympian who would be thrilled to receive the community support.

“Jamie would love it,” he said.

Sierra officials have not locked down a date for the celebration at this time. However, spokesperson Steven Hemphill said the ceremony is at least a few weeks away since Jamie Anderson is currently on about a monthlong media tour.

She started the tour Tuesday as a guest on The Ellen Show.

Anderson, 23, has been one of the most talked-about U.S. competitors since taking gold in the women’s snowboard slopestyle final Feb. 9.

“It’s been such a rollercoaster of a year,” Anderson said on The Ellen Show. “The first few nights I woke up, I’m like, ‘Is this reality? Did this really happen?’ And, yeah, it’s pretty surreal.”

Because slopestyle was new to the Olympics this year, Anderson’s gold medal in the event was the first in the history of the games.

Teter, on the other hand, came close to finding the podium during the women’s snowboard halfpipe event Feb. 12. However, she was ultimately bumped off by 2002 gold medalist Kelly Clark and finished fourth.

Teter was the 2006 champion when the games were played in Turin, Italy.

Finally, 20-year-old Maddie Bowman will make her Olympic debut Feb. 20 when she competes for gold in the women’s ski halfpipe event.

The South Lake Tahoe local won her first X Games gold last year.


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