Two members of the U.S. national ice hockey team, Julie Chu and Hilary Knight, are visiting Belarus from May 11 through 17 as Sports Envoys to take part in a series of U.S. embassy-sponsored events in connection with the Ice Hockey World Championships in Minsk.
As well as their most recent silver medals from the Olympic Games in Sochi, Julie and Hilary have medaled in multiple Olympics and World Championships. Julie is the senior member of the U.S. women’s hockey team, with four Olympic medals (3 silver, 1 bronze) and five World Championship gold medals. Hilary, a graduate of University of Wisconsin, has two Olympic silver medals and four World Championship gold medals. In 2007, Julie, a graduate of Harvard University, won the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Award given to the most outstanding female ice hockey player at the university level. More recently, Julie was the U.S. flag bearer at the closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Sochi.
While in Minsk, Julie and Hilary will meet with local hockey coaches and hold clinics for young players, visit a center for disabled athletes, speak before audiences at educational institutions in Minsk and Lepel’, and attend several hockey games with Belarusian fans.
