Last Updated on July 7, 2025 by BVN
Overview: The United States Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame has inducted 150 individual athletes and teams since its inception in 1983. This year’s honorees include Allyson Felix, Serena Williams, Gabby Douglas, Bode Miller, Steve Cash, Kerri Walsh Jennings, Flo Hyman, Mike Kryzewski, Anita DeFrantz, and Marla Runyan. DeFrantz, the first female Vice-President of the IOC, has established a category of her own for individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the spirit and legacy of the games.
Jon D. Gaede | BVN Sports
Allyson Feiix, Serena Williams, Gabby Douglass, Bode Miller, Steve Cash, Kerri Walsh Jennings, Flo Hyman, Mike Kryzewski, Anita DeFrantz and Marla Runyan are among the individual honorees to be inducted into the Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame Class of 2025 in Colorado Springs, CO. These athletes were selected to reflect their extraordinary accomplishments in Olympic and Paralympic competition.
Serena Williams won four Olympic gold medals, plus a mere 23 Grand Slam titles, easily the greatest female tennis player of all-time will be inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs. (Photo: Jon Gaede BVN/NNPA)
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame was established in 1979. The selection process includes fan participation. The way the induction process works is after the initial nominations are recorded, fan voting takes place to determine the current class to be inducted.
In 1983, the committee selected 20 individuals and one outstanding team in the initial class of inductees which included Jesse Owens, Muhammad Ali, Bob Beamon, Bob Richards, Peggy Flemming, Wilma Rudolph, Jim Thorpe, Mark Spitz and the “Miracle on Ice” Men’s Hockey Team. In addition, the 1984 Para Women’s Wheelchair Basketball team and 2010 Men’s Four-man Bobsled team were also included.
Since its inception, the Hall of Fame Committee has selected 150 individual athletes and teams. In addition to the athletes, the committee has also included a special category for those individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the spirit and legacy of the games. This year’s honorees include Coach Mike Kryzewski (three golds), Phil Knight (Special Contribution/Nike) and Anita DeFrantz (rowing/1976)
Anita DeFrantz, through her extraordinary dedication to the Olympic movement has established a category of her own. In 1997, she became the first female Vice-President of the IOC, serving a four year term. She was re-elected to the IOC Executive Board in 2013, and served as IOC Vice President in 2017. She has served as the President of the LA 84 Foundation for 28 years and on the board of the Al Oerter (AOF) in support of the “Art of Olympians” to promote Olympic values and ideals through cultural exhibitions.
“We are one race, the human race. We are all the same and we are each unique,” said DeFrantz.
