Oct. 14, 2004

COLUMBIA, Mo. - On Monday, October 18, Tiger post-collegian and 2004 Olympian, Derrick Peterson will visit the White House in Washington, D.C., along with members of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush will host the athletes, a tradition that has lived since the presidency of Gerald Ford.

The event will be held on the South Lawn of the White House and will involve brief remarks by the President, who will be accompanied by Mrs. Bush, followed by presentations by Olympic Flag Bearer Dawn Staley and Paralympic Flag Bearer Kevin Szott. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the athletes will be given a tour of the White House.

Peterson was a bronze medalist at the 2004 USATF Olympic Trials in July to earn a spot on the Olympic team in the 800-meter run. While at Missouri, Peterson was a six-time All-American and an eight-time Big 12 Champion. Peterson also won the 1999 NCAA Indoor Championship in the 800 meters.

For more information on the U.S. Olympic Committee, visit usoc.org. For more information on Peterson, visit mutigers.com or usatf.org, and his personal website derrickpeterson.com.