Topic: News: Jim Stovall, acclaimed author, former Olympian in weightlifting to speak

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Link

Internationally acclaimed author, former Olympic athlete to speak at first ever BCF Legacy Dinner

Jim Stovall, author of the best selling book, “The Ultimate Gift” will deliver the Keynote address at the Bartlesville Community Foundation Legacy Hall of Fame celebration on Oct. 27.

The evening’s schedule begins with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 7 p.m. The event, “A Celebration of Giving” will honor two local families for their tradition of community contributions.

Stovall was faced with blindness, but went on to achieve success as a national champion weightlifter, and competed in the Olympics. He is President of the Emmy Award-winning Narrative Television Network, and a sought-after speaker.

“Jim Stovall is one of the most extraordinary men of our era,” said Steve Forbes, President and CEO of Forbes magazine.

For Stovall’s work in making television accessible to America’s 13 million blind and visually impaired people, The President’s Committee on Equal Opportunity selected him Entrepreneur of the Year. He was also chosen as the International Humanitarian of the Year, joining Jimmy Carter, Nancy Reagan, and Mother Teresa as recipients of this honor.

Stovall is an Emmy Award winner and, as a world-renowned author and speaker, has shared the stage as a keynote speaker with former U.S. Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell, the late actor Christopher Reeve, motivational speaker Tony Robbins, Dr. Denis Waitley, and former First Lady Barbara Bush.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

I have never heard of Jim Stovall and don't see him on the national champion or Olympic team lists at lifttilyadie.com. Can anyone explain please? Who is this?

Thanks

[John Donahue]

I can explain it. This guy's a liar. Researching who is and who isn't an Olympian is very easy. Just go to the USOC web site. They have a search that can ge you all the answers you need in seconds.
 
Jim Stovall, who ever he really is, just wants to sell more books, and make more money on the lecture circuit by claiming Olympian Status.
 
 But he's not the only one. Here in Delaware, we have a State Sports Hall of Fame. One of weightliftings inductee's is 1964 Us National champion Len Shepherd. Now Len was a great lifter, and is deserving of the Hall of Fame honor. But it came to my attention the Len was not only claiming Olympian status, but that he was a two time Olympian. Len B.S.'d everyone into thinking he was a competior in the 64 and 68 Games. Once i got this information, i promptly contacted the Delaware Sports HOF and told them the truth. And you know what happend? NOTHING!! Those S.O.B.'s let Len Shepherd falsely claim Olympian Status. They kept responding that they checked their facts and were sticking to them. I kept telling them to not take my word for it, and gave them the numbers to the USOC and USAW to confirm the information. After 6 month, and countless hours put into this, i finally suggested that we stage a meeting between Len Shepherd, the HOF, a reporter from our local newspaper, myself, and Dick Smith(the coach of those Olympic teams). Only then did Len back down and admit that he was never an Olympian.
 
 My opinion is that we need to expose anyone who is falsely claiming Olympian status. It is insulting to every Olympian who ever lived, all the Olympic sports, and all of us who support them.

[fred martinez]

Don't blame the guy it's must be the person who wrote the article.  How many times you till people you do Olympic-lifting and they want to know when you were in the Olympics.