Citi Chairman Mike O'Neill: Reflections on Sochi

By Michael O'Neill, Chairman, Citigroup, Inc.

Two years ago I was fortunate to attend the London 2012 Paralympic Games in support of Team USA. As a sports fan, I was familiar with the Paralympics, but had not previously had the opportunity to witness the extraordinary athletic and human efforts these sportsmen and women exhibit. My experience in London was eye-opening and inspiring, and I was delighted to again have the privilege to join a handful of Citi colleagues last week to support our Team USA sponsorship on a trip to Sochi for the opening days of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

Being a spectator at events where men and women are performing at the highest athletic levels is always exciting. When athletes are achieving world-class performances despite physical disabilities, the experience is profound. I'm especially proud that Citi is among the U.S. Olympic Committee sponsors that enabled unprecedented media coverage of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

In Sochi I was able to spend some time with both of our Team Citi Paralympic athletes. I shared a meal with members of the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team, including Team Citi's Rico Roman. Rico has an amazing story - a combat-injured Army veteran, he was connected to the sport of sled hockey through Operation Comfort, a program that uses adaptive sports to help injured servicemembers continue an active life. Now, Rico is helping to raise awareness and funds for Operation Comfort so that other wounded warriors have the same opportunities he did. The day after we met, we cheered as Rico and Team USA defeated Italy 5-1 to open their (ultimately successful) gold medal defense. I would like to congratulate him and the Team USA sled hockey team for winning gold over the weekend.

The next morning we had breakfast with Team Citi's Alana Nichols, a four-time U.S. Paralympic team member who has competed in both the summer (wheelchair basketball) and winter (Paralympic alpine skiing) Paralympic Games, underscoring her astonishing athletic versatility. We saw her fresh off of her silver medal run in the alpine downhill race. Unfortunately, in her next event (the Super G), Alana crashed and had to be airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment. To our great relief, she was soon released from the hospital, and this past weekend, she rebounded fiercely, placing 7th in the Giant Slalom. Alana has a rousing spirit, and she has been using her experience and achievements to support other athletes pursuing the Paralympic dream through the Paralympic Champions Fund.

Alana and Rico were two of 80 Team USA athletes among the nearly 700 athletes gathered in Sochi last week. Watching them compete elicits deep respect and awe. I couldn't be prouder of the work Citi is doing through the Every Step of the Way program to help raise awareness for the Paralympic movement and to enable opportunities for the next generation of Paralympic heroes.