Recreation panel seeks names of all Dover-connected Olympians

posted on: 2/4/2022

The Dover Recreation Advisory Board, with Dover 400, Dover Main Street, and Faces of Dover, seek public help in identifying all Olympic athletes with a Dover connection to create a Dover Olympian recognition program.

The athletes must have participated in the Olympic Games, World Games, Paralympic Games, or Special Olympics World Games to be eligible.

“Dover has played a part in the development of some fine Olympic athletes, such as Jenny Thompson, Cathy O’Brien and Jessica Parratto,” said Recreation Director Gary Bannon. “As we plan for Dover’s 400th anniversary, we are undertaking an effort to identify and recognize all Dover-connected Olympians since the revival of the modern Olympic games in 1896. And we want the public’s help to ensure we have accounted for all of these great athletes.”

The deadline to submit a name is March 15. The committee will then review submissions and decide how best to honor them, such as signs, banners, a Faces of Dover historical marker, a plaque in a prominent location in the city, or even participate in Dover 400 activities scheduled for 2022-23.

To submit a name, please provide as much of the below information as possible, and email it to olympianproject@dover.nh.gov.

• Olympian’s name
• Connection to Dover
• Year(s) the athlete took part in the Olympics
• Cities of competition
• Sport(s)
• Medals (if any)
• Photos
• Any other pertinent information
• Your name and contact information, including email and phone number

For more information, contact Recreation Director Gary Bannon at 603-516-6410 or Beth Fischer at 603-817-1843.