USOC Hall nominees announced

CHICAGO, April 17 (UPI) -- Women's basketball player Teresa Edwards highlights the United States Olympic Committee's nominees for its 2009 Hall of Fame class.

Nominees were selected by a 10-person nominating committee made up by athletes, members of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, historians and USOC representatives.

The list includes 15 individuals, five teams and five paralympians.

Other nominees are swimmer Gary Hall, Sr., sprinter Michael Johnson, alpine skier Picabo Street, the 1992 Men's Olympic Basketball team, the 1976 U.S. Women's 4x100 Freestyle Relay Team, and paralympians Jean Driscoll (athletics), David Larson (athletics), Greg Mannino (alpine skiing) and Sarah Will (alpine skiing).

"The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame honors Olympic and Paralympic legends who have inspired our country for generations, uniting us behind Team USA and giving us role models who epitomize the Olympic Ideals," acting USOC chief executive officer Stephanie Streeter said at Thursday's announcement in Chicago.

The Aug. 12 induction ceremony will feature a fundraising banquet to benefit Chicago's bid to hold the 2016 Games.