Olympians Honor Louis Zamperini
January 17, 2015 – LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Regal Cinemas at L.A. Live
Story and Photos are © Lee Roth / Roth Stock Digital Media
Links go to Athlete’s Official Sites (where noted), Profiles on TeamUSA.Org, Sports-Reference.Com, Wikipedia or other Sports Data Websites
It was a very special evening for a lot of Olympic athletes to gather and honor one of their own, Louis Zamperini. Co-hosted by the Southern California Olympians & Paralympians and the Koroibos Foundation, the event was a private screening of the Academy Award® nominated film “Unbroken”, the third directorial effort of noted humanitarian, activist and actress Angelina Jolie. With athletes present that participated in an astounding nine decades of Olympic Games (1936 to 2012), it was a night full of living legends!
NOTE: A complete list of Athletes in Attendance follows the photo gallery below.
While many in the audience knew Louis Zamperini personally, Iris Cummings Critchell was actually a teammate of his at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. It was such a pleasure to see Iris so alert, so agile, and so funny! This writer can only hope to have half as much energy … and I don’t mean at her age!
Also present was Sammy Lee, a diver who participated in the London Games in 1948 and the Helsinki Games in 1952.
After the screening, there was a panel discussion about Louis Zamperini. Led by John Naber, the panel featured Iris Cummings Critchell, Cliff Meidl and Anita DeFrantz.
Following the panel discussion, the group moved to nearby El Cholo restaurant for some excellent Mexican food and lots of friendly conversation!
REMINDER: A complete list of Athletes in Attendance follows the photo gallery below.
Click the thumbnails below
to view full-size photos.
(L-R) Carol Naber, Olympian Giddeon Massie, Olympic Hopeful Tela Crane, and Olympian John Naber
Olympian Lori Ogren (L) and Olympic Hopeful Dana Feiss
Olympian Brian Godell (L) with his wife Vicki, and Olympian Cliff
(L-R) Olympians John Naber, Andrew Strenk, Jim Wooley and Brian Godell
(L-R) Robby Wiltsey, Brianna Wiltsey, Conner Smith, Shannon Wiltsey and Olympian John Naber
(L-R) Olympians John Naber, Andrew Strenk, Jim Wooley and Brian Godell
(L-R) Olympians John Naber; Brian Godell and Jim Wooley
(L-R) Olympians John Naber; Brian Godell and Jim Wooley
The Hemmins Family
Karen and Norman Meidl
(L-R) Brianna Wiltsey, Conner Smith, Shannon Wiltsey, and Linda Wiltsey
Olympian Michael Blatchford and his wife Cristin Blatchford
Olympian Armando Muniz (C) and Guests
Olympians Curt Bader (L), Cliff Meidl (C) and Brian Godell (R) greet a Guest
Olympians Katherine Starr (L) and John Naber
Olympian Michael Blatchford (L) with his wife Cristin Blatchford (C) and Olympian Tamara Christopherson (R)
Olympian John Naber and Olympic Hopeful Kian Brouwer
Olympic Hopeful Nissy Cobb (L) and ParaPanAmerican Swimmer Nate Higgins
(L-R) Olympians Tamara Christopherson, Iris Cummings Critchell and John Naber
(L-R) Olympians Tamara Christopherson, Iris Cummings Critchell and John Naber
Olympians Sky Christopherson (L) and Connie Paraskevin
(L-R) Olympians Tamara Christopherson, Iris Cummings Critchell and John Naber
Olympians Sky Christopherson (L) and Tamara Christopherson
Olympians Sky Christopherson (L) and Tamara Christopherson
Tamara Christopherson, Kayaking, Sydney, 2000
Rey Brown, Track, Mexico City, 1968
Raj Bhavsar, Men’s Gymnastics, Beijing, 2008
(L-R) Olympian Rey Brown with his wife Carol Brown and Olympians, Jim Wooley, Andrew Strenk, Brian Godell and Sammy Lee (seated)
(L-R) Olympian Rey Brown with his wife Carol Brown and Olympians, Jim Wooley, Andrew Strenk, Brian Godell and Sammy Lee (seated)
Eric Lindroth, Water Polo, Munich, 1972, Moscow, 1980
Adam Duvendeck, Cycling, Athens, 2004, Beijing, 2008
Jim Wooley, Judo, Munich, 1972, Montreal, 1976
Angela Hucles, Soccer, Athens, 2004, Beijing, 2008
Angela Hucles, Soccer, Athens, 2004, Beijing, 2008
Brian Godell, Swimming, Montreal, 1976
(L-R) Olympians Cliff Meidl, DeAnn Hemmens, Curt Bader and Tamara Christopherson
(L-R) Olympians Cliff Meidl, DeAnn Hemmens, Curt Bader and Tamara Christopherson
Cliff Meidl, Atlanta, 1996, Sydney, 2000
Sammy Lee, Diving, London, 1948, Helsinki, 1952
Sammy Lee, Diving, London, 1948, Helsinki, 1952
Armando Muniz, Boxing, Mexico City, 1968
Olympian Connie Paraskevin (L) and Olympic Hopeful Dana Feiss
Lori Ogren, Handball, Barcelona, 1992
Katherine Starr; Swimming; Los Angeles; 1984; Seoul; 1988
Tasha Danvers, Track, Sydney, 2000, Beijing, 2008
Tasha Danvers, Track, Sydney, 2000, Beijing, 2008
Gina Miles, Equestrian; Beijing; 2008, and Son
Olympians Katherine Starr (L) and Tasha Danvers
Olympians Katherine Starr (L) and Tasha Danvers
Michael Blatchford, Cycling, Beijing, 2008
Olympians Sky Christopherson (L) and Giddeon Massie
Olympians Sky Christopherson (L) and Giddeon Massie
Olympians Sky Christopherson (L) and Giddeon Massie
(L-R) Olympians Sky Christopherson, Giddeon Massie and Tamara Christopherson
(L-R) Olympians Sky Christopherson, Giddeon Massie and Tamara Christopherson
Giddeon Massie, Cycling, Athens, 2004, Beijing, 2008
Olympic Hopeful Tela Crane (L) and Olympian Giddeon Massie
Olympic Hopeful Tela Crane (L) and Olympian Giddeon Massie
Olympic Hopeful Tela Crane (L) and Olympian Giddeon Massie
Myra “Polo” Mayberry, Track, Barcelona, 1992, Atlanta, 1996, Sydney, 2000
Myra “Polo” Mayberry, Track, Barcelona, 1992, Atlanta, 1996, Sydney, 2000
Myra “Polo” Mayberry, Track, Barcelona, 1992, Atlanta, 1996, Sydney, 2000
Myra “Polo” Mayberry, Track, Barcelona, 1992, Atlanta, 1996, Sydney, 2000
Myra “Polo” Mayberry, Track, Barcelona, 1992, Atlanta, 1996, Sydney, 2000
Myra “Polo” Mayberry, Track, Barcelona, 1992, Atlanta, 1996, Sydney, 2000
Olympian Myra “Polo” Mayberry (L) and Carla Stevenson
Olympian Myra “Polo” Mayberry (L) and Carla Stevenson
Olympian Myra “Polo” Mayberry (L) and Carla Stevenson
Tamara Christopherson, Kayaking, Sydney, 2000
John Naber, Swimming, Montreal, 1976
John Naber, Swimming, Montreal, 1976
Atmosphere at a Private Screening of “Unbroken” in Honor of Olympian Louis Zamperini, Hosted by the Southern California Olympians & Paralympians and the Koroibos Foundation
Atmosphere at a Private Screening of “Unbroken” in Honor of Olympian Louis Zamperini, Hosted by the Southern California Olympians & Paralympians and the Koroibos Foundation
Iris Cummings Critchell, Swimming, Berlin, 1936
(L-R) Olympians John Naber, Iris Cummings Critchell, Cliff Meidl, and Anita DeFrantz
Iris Cummings Critchell, Swimming, Berlin, 1936
Cliff Meidl, Atlanta, 1996, Sydney, 2000
Iris Cummings Critchell, Swimming, Berlin, 1936
Iris Cummings Critchell, Swimming, Berlin, 1936
(L-R) Olympians John Naber, Iris Cummings Critchell, Cliff Meidl, and Anita DeFrantz
(L-R) Olympians John Naber, Iris Cummings Critchell, Cliff Meidl, and Anita DeFrantz
Cliff Meidl, Atlanta, 1996, Sydney, 2000
Iris Cummings Critchell, Swimming, Berlin, 1936
Iris Cummings Critchell, Swimming, Berlin, 1936
Iris Cummings Critchell, Swimming, Berlin, 1936
Iris Cummings Critchell, Swimming, Berlin, 1936
Iris Cummings Critchell, Swimming, Berlin, 1936
Cliff Meidl, Atlanta, 1996, Sydney, 2000
Anita DeFrantz, Rowing, Montreal, 1976
John Naber, Swimming, Montreal, 1976
Iris Cummings Critchell, Swimming, Berlin, 1936
Iris Cummings Critchell, Swimming, Berlin, 1936
Olympic Athletes from Nine Decades of Games
(L-R) Olympian John Naber, Conner Smith, Olympian Iris Cimmings Critchell, Shannon Wiltsey, Linda Khanchalian-Wiltsey, Robby Wiltsey, Brianna Wiltsey and Bob Wiltsey
(L-R) Olympian John Naber, Conner Smith, Olympian Iris Cimmings Critchell, Shannon Wiltsey, Linda Khanchalian-Wiltsey, Robby Wiltsey, Brianna Wiltsey and Bob Wiltsey
(L-R) Elite Rower Jack Nunn and Olympians Cliff Meidl, Philippe Boccara, and Curt Bader
Olympians Jim Wooley, Michael Blatchford with his wife Cristin, Tela Crane, Giddeon Massie, Andrew Strenk, Katherine Starr and Guests
Olympians John Naber (standing left), Debby McCormik (C) and Sammy Lee (seated front right) and Guests
Jeff Farrell (C), Carol Naber (R) and Guests
Olympians Jeff Farrell (L) and John Naber
After Party Atmosphere
(L-R) Olympians Cliff Meidl, Sammy Lee and John Naber
(L-R) Olympians Cliff Meidl, Sammy Lee and Philippe Boccara
(L-R) Olympians Cliff Meidl, Curt Bader, Sammy Lee (front) and Philippe Boccara
Olympian John Naber and Debby McCormick
(L-R) Olmpians John Naber, Brian Godell and Cliff Meidl
(L-R) Karen Meidl, Olympian John Naber (C) and Norman Meidl
(L-R) Olympian Cliff Meidl, with Karen Meidl, Olympian John Naberand Norman Meidl
(L-R) Olympians Brian Godell and Cliff Meidl
Lori Ogren, Handball, Barcelona, 1992
Athletes In Attendance:
- Adam Duvendeck; Cycling, Athens – 2004, Beijing – 2008
- Andrew Strenk; Swimming, Mexico City -1968
- Angela Hucles; Soccer, Athens – 2004, Beijing -2008
- Anita DeFrantz (Official Site); Rowing, Montreal – 1976
- Armando Muniz; Boxing, Mexico City – 1968 (Career Record at BoxRec.Com)
- Brian Godell; Swimming, Montreal – 1976 (Gold Medal Group Realtors)
- Cliff Meidl (Official Site); Kayaking, Atlanta – 1996, Sydney – 2000
- Connie Paraskevin; Cycling, Lake Placid – 1980, Sarajevo – 1984, Seoul – 1988
- Curt Bader; Track, Seoul – 1988
- Dana Feiss; Cycling, Olympic Hopeful
- DeAnne Hemmens; Canoeing, Atlanta – 1996
- Eric Lindroth; Water Polo, Munich – 1972, Moscow – 1980
- Giddeon Massie; Cycling, Athens – 2004, Beijing – 2008
- Gina Miles (Official Site); Equestrian, Beijing -2008
- Iris Cummings Critchell; Swimming, Berlin – 1936 (Veterans History Project)
- Jack Nunn; Elite Rower
- Jeff Farrell; Swimming, Rome – 1960
- Jim Wooley; Judo, Munich – 1972, Montreal – 1976
- John Naber (Official Site); Swimming, Montreal – 1976
- John Nunn; Rowing, Mexico City – 1968
- Katherine Starr (Official Site) (competed as Annabelle Cripps – Great Britain); Swimming, Los Angeles – 1984, Seoul – 1988
- Kian Brouwer; Swimming, Olympic Hopeful
- Lori Ogren; Handball, Barcelona – 1992
- Michael Blatchford; Cycling, Beijing – 2008
- Myra “Polo” Mayberry; Track, Barcelona – 1992, Atlanta – 1996, Sydney – 2000
- Nate Higgins; ParaPanAmerican Swimmer
- Nissy Cobb; Cycling, Olympic Hopeful
- Philippe Boccara; Canoeing
– Competing for France; Moscow – 1980, Los Angeles – 1984, Seoul – 1988, Barcelona – 1992
– Competing for USA; Atlanta – 1996, Sydney – 2000 - Raj Bhavsar; Men’s Gymnastics, Beijing – 2008
- Rey Brown; Track, Mexico City – 1968
- Ron Skarin; Cycling, Munich – 1972, Montreal – 1976
- Sammy Lee; Diving, London – 1948, Helsinki – 1952 (profile and interview on USADiver.Com)
- Sky Christopherson (Official Site); Cycling, Atlanta – 1996; Sydney – 2000
- Tamara Christopherson; Kayaking, Sydney – 2000
- Tasha Danvers; (Great Britain) Track, Sydney – 2000, Beijing – 2008
- Tela Crane; Cycling, Olympic Hopeful
Additional Resources:
- Southern California Olympians & Paralympians Association
- Koroibos Foundation – Dedicated to Identifying, Mentoring and Funding Olympic Hopefuls
- TeamUSA.ORG – Official Site of the US Olympic Committee
- “Unbroken” on the Internet Movie Databasae (IMDb)
- Angelina Jolie on IMDb
To Order Prints From This Event:
IF YOU ARE IN ANY OF THE PHOTOS IN THIS GALLERY: Framed prints, canvas gallery wraps, prints on metal and other surfaces may be made available in a Password Protected Private Gallery at the Roth Stock Fine Art Photo Store upon request. You may right click on a gallery thumbnail above to copy link address. Then go to our Contact Page and paste the link into the body of your message. We’ll post the photos in the store and send you a link and password for access. Partial proceeds will benefit the Koroibos Foundation.
Photos and Text are © Lee Roth / Roth Stock Digital Media – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
For Licensing Information, Please Contact Roth Stock Digital Media
Red Carpet Photo Blog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.