July 1, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Former Georgetown University oarsman Mike Altman ('97) has been selected to the USRowing Olympic Team and will compete in the lightweight men's straight four at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. A seven-time senior national team member, Altman is a first-time Olympian and served as an alternate at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. The Hoyas have seen former rowers compete in each of the last five Olympic Games.

Altman, who began rowing in Marin, CA in 1991, brought his skill to the Hilltop, finishing sixth in the varsity eight at the 1996 Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) Championships. After graduating with a bachelor's degree from the School of Foreign Service, Altman began work as an investment banker, while continuing to compete.

The Los Angeles, CA. native has earned national titles in the lightweight four in 1998, the lightweight eight in 2002 and won the lightweight double sculls at the 2005 National Selection Regatta. Internationally, Altman earned a silver medal at the 1998 FISA World Championships, a bronze at the 2003 FISA World Championships and finished second in the lightweight pair at the 2004 FISA World Cup in Lucerne, Switzerland.

HOYA OLYMPIANS: Altman follows a long line of Georgetown Crew members to compete in the Olympics, including J.J. Forster ('76 Olympics), Kelley Jones ('92 Olympics), Conal Groom (2000 Olympics), Missy Schwen ('96, 2000 Olympics), Cathy Symon ('96 Olympics), and Mike Vespoli ('72 Olympics).

Missy Schwen earned a silver medal in 1996 and bronze in 2000 in the women's coxless pairs. Mike Vespoli, who competed in the 1972 Munich Games is the founder of New Haven, Conn. based Vespoli Racing Shells. Vespoli also served as a rowing commentator during NBC's coverage of the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.