Malloy, Wyman Congratulate CT Athletes Competing in Olympics; OLRA to Host Viewing Party in Lyme for Austin Hack’s Race, All Welcome

The US Men's Eight in action with Austin Hack as stroke. Photo courtesy of usrowing.com — The US Men’s Eight in action with Austin Hack as stroke. Photo courtesy of usrowing.com

Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman yesterday congratulated the Connecticut athletes competing in the upcoming 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and are wishing them the best in their competitions. The list of athletes competing includes Austin Hack of Old Lyme, who is the stroke for the US Men’s Eight. Hack graduated from Lyme-Old Lyme High School in 2010.

His parents, Dr. Gregory Hack and Dr. Barbara Hack, and sisters Olivia and Molly, along with other family members, left today to travel to Rio, hopefully to watch Austin win a gold medal!

The Old Lyme Rowing Association (OLRA) is hosting a breakfast reception for Austin’s Rio race on Saturday, Aug. 13, from 9 to 11 a.m. in the barn at 325 Grassy Hill Rd. in Lyme. Enjoy this opportunity to watch the race on a big screen TV with friends and family. All are welcome. Space is limited. A $10 donation to OLRA is suggested. Contact Jane Montanaro for more information and to RSVP at [email protected].

In his message to the athletes, Governor Malloy said,”We are honored to have a group of internationally recognized athletes who call Connecticut their home and will represent our state and our nation in one of the most prominent sporting events in the world,” adding, “We wish all of the Team USA athletes the best in this year’s Olympic Games, but in particular you can guarantee that there will be a strong contingent of us back home in Connecticut cheering for our hometown stars.”

“Congratulations to our Connecticut Olympians – we’re thrilled to be represented on Team USA,” Lt. Governor Wyman said. “These men and women are tremendous athletes, and their commitment to excellence makes them great role models for all of us back home. I wish them good luck and urge them to enjoy every minute of the Games.”

The Governor and Lt. Governor also expressed their best wishes to Team USA Women’s Basketball head coach Coach Geno Auriemma and several Huskies, who will be competing on the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team.

Members of the U.S. Olympic team who are from Connecticut include:

o Donn Cabral – Track and Field (Glastonbury, CT)

o Andrew Campbell, Jr. – Rowing (New Canaan, CT)

o Charlie Cole – Rowing (New Canaan, CT)

o Thomas Dunstan – Water Polo (New Canaan, CT)

o Austin Hack – Rowing (Old Lyme, CT)

o Michael Hartfield – Track and Field (Manchester, CT)

o Devin McEwan – Canoe/Kayak (Salisbury, CT)

o Alyssa Naeher – Soccer (Seymour/Bridgeport, CT)
o Chris Wyles – Rugby (Stamford, CT)

(Note: This list was compiled by the U.S. Olympic Committee and is based on the athletes’ hometowns, not their current residence.)

Go Austin! Go Team USA!