This summer’s Olympic games are not being held in Ames or even Iowa, but ISU will be well represented. Several ISU students and staff are volunteering for the games in Atlanta.

Jim Nespor, an ISU physical therapist and athletic trainer, has begun his Olympic experience. Nespor has been in Atlanta since July 6.

As a trainer, Nespor arrived early to prepare with the athletes. He has been assigned to Olympic boxing, a sport with which he has never worked.

“However, as a trainer, a shoulder is a shoulder and a knee is a knee, no matter if it’s on a boxer or a football player,” Nespor said in a press release.

Nespor said there are 364 boxers from about 90 countries competing in this summer’s games. Nespor is assisting boxers from all countries in attendance.

In order to become a volunteer trainer, one must be certified for five years, Nespor said. An internship is also required. Nespor said his experience goes back further, however.

In 1989, Nespor was invited to the Olympic Sports Festival by the U. S. Olympic Committee. Nespor has also been active in drug testing for area Olympic hopefuls for several years. Nespor will return to Ames following the opening ceremonies on July 19.

Erin Davison, assistant director of athletic media relations at ISU, is another proud volunteer. Davison found out in December that she had been accepted as a volunteer. Her application process began in the spring of 1995.

Davison has been assigned to press row for judo. Her title is tribune manager and her tasks will consist of overseeing others on press row. Other than the upcoming Olympics, Davison has had no exposure to the sport of judo.

“I didn’t know much about judo and had to do some quick research, including calling the ISU judo club,” Davison said in a press release.

In addition to judo, Davison has been informed that she will also work with wrestling.

“Since judo doesn’t last the whole time, I’ll probably work with wrestling for five or six days, Davison said.

Davison will depart for Atlanta on July 13. As the games approach, she will receive training and familiarization. Davison also will be promoting ISU.

“I have a big stack of business cards to hand out while I’m in Atlanta,” Davison said. She will be returning to Ames on August 6.

Two of Davison’s student assistants also will attend the games as volunteers. Thad Dohrn, a graduate student in health and human performance, will work with the Olympics’ Internet services. Dohrn, a former ISU baseball player, will be involved with the Olympic web page while in Atlanta.

“This is a once in a lifetime thing and a great opportunity,” Dohrn said.

Stephanie Green, also a graduate student in health and human performance, was selected to be a runner for the volleyball press operation. As a current ISU volleyball player, Green said she should feel right at home.

Coincidentally, Dohrn and Green were married July 11. The Olympics will not be the couple’s honeymoon, though, Green said. The two have the honeymoon planned for a later date.

Other volunteers include 17 members of the Iowa State cheer squad who have been selected as performers with other collegiate teams.

The event will be internationally televised, according to Anne Clausen, coordinator of ISU’s spirit squads. The group was chosen from many U.S. cheer squads that auditioned.

ISU even has a hand in security at the Olympics. DPS officer Tera Hansen has been selected to be part of the security force for the games.