User:Filinden/sandbox

Art of the Olympians is a non-profit organization of Olympian artists that "promote[s] the Olympic Ideals through programs of art, education, and cultural outreach". It puts on traveling exhibitions, organizes talks at schools, and previously operated a museum.

History
Art of the Olympians was founded in 2006 by Olympic gold medalist discus thrower and artist Al Oerter, who died in 2007. In 2006, the organization put on a touring exhibition of art by Olympians. Art of the Olympians put on an exhibition at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. AOTO also held a 2008 exhibition at the Rauschenberg Gallery, Edison College in Fort Myers, FL.

In January 2010, the organization opened the Art of the Olympians Museum and the Al Oerter Center for Excellence in downtown Fort Myers, Florida.

In February 2010 Art of the Olympians held an exhibition at the XXI Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. In 2011, graphic artist and former long jumper Bob Beamon became the CEO of the Art of the Olympians Museum and Gallery.

During the 2012 London summer Olympics AOTO held two international exhibitions in the United Kingdom. The first was held at the University College of London and the second was held in Torbay on the south coast of England.

On July 16, 2013 CEO Bob Beamon released an open letter directed to the museum's board announcing his resignation. On July 17th, after 3 and a half years, the Art of the Olympians museum and the Al Oerter Center for Excellence closed its doors. On the AOTO website they posted an announcement: "Its time to reorganize and restructure the foundation. A new direction focused on National and International Exhibitions programs will further the vision of the founder." Cathy Oerter, Al Oerter's widow, is currently the CEO of Art of the Olympians.

Board of Trustees
HSH Prince Albert ll of Monaco

Board of Directors
Cathy Oerter

Markus Sherry D.M.D

Emanuela Pierantozzi

Anita DeFrantz

Kevin Murphy

Jimmy Mellado

Edward Stransenback

Clarissa Bradstock

Section
In 2008 Roald Bradstock competed in his 7th Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. He created a media frenzy when he stepped on to the javelin runway to take his first throw in the qualifying rounds of the 2008 US Olympic Trials on July 4th. He took a total of three throws wearing different hand painted outfits with matching hand painted "optical" javelins each time. His first outfit was a black and white stripped zebra looking costume. His second was an Olympic themed kit with the all five colors of the Olympic rings painted on it and his final "number" was a red, white and blue outfit that he said later was to celebrate July 4th, America's independence day.

Bradstock's antics on the field got national and international coverage. In a news conference immediately after the event where he placed 16th, he was besieged by reporters. Being the oldest person at the Olympic Trials at the age of 46 was of little interest, but what was of interest was his "eccentric" media stunt, his hand painted outfits, his bizarre YouTube videos documenting a long list of World Records for throwing strange objects from dead fish to iphones, to the BBC's nickname for him.

Over the next four years leading up to Bradstock's historic 8th Olympics Trials, this time for the UK, Bradstock received a lot of press coverage on the radio, TV, newspapers and magazines around the world.

At the 2012 British Olympic Trials he once again changed outfits. This time wearing a variety of hats, sleeves, tights, sock and shoes. He came second with a World Age Record for a 50 year old with a throw of 72.78m and became the oldest person to win a medal in 86 years.

Since his final athletic competition in 2012 Bradstock, is now perusing his art career full time.

Bradstock is also a founding member of the Art of the Olympians organization that was founded by Olympic Icon and four-time consecutive Olympic discus champion, Al Oerter.