Learn how Delta played a part in transporting the 1980s U.S. Men's Hockey to get the nation's highest honor.
orty-five years ago, in the midst of the Cold War, a group of young Americans donned red, white and blue hockey jerseys to face off against the Soviet Union on the ice – winning not only the match, but the Olympic gold medal and the hearts of the world. The match is forever known as the Miracle on Ice.
More than four decades later, the 1980 U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team is being awarded the Congressional Gold Medal - the highest civilian award given by the U.S. Congress. On Friday, Dec. 12, Delta was proud to fly the team to the nation’s capital from their homebase of Minneapolis to receive the distinguished honor.
“The Miracle on Ice is a defining moment in sports history that continues to inspire generations,” said Alicia Tillman, Chief Marketing Officer at Delta Air Lines. “At Delta, we’re honored to play a role in celebrating the team’s legacy as they receive the Congressional Gold Medal. Their story reflects the same perseverance and passion that fuel our commitment to Team USA and to connecting people and cultures around the world.”
The bill to award the hockey team the Congressional Gold Medal was passed by both the U.S. House and Senate in April. The honor is awarded to those who have made major, long-standing impacts on American history and culture. For their epic triumph over the four-time defending Olympic gold medalist team from the Soviet Union, this young U.S. hockey team forever cemented American values and grit in the foundation of the sport. Other recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal include the likes of Olympic gold medalist Jessie Owens, baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson, inventor Thomas Edison, and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
About Delta’s Team USA Partnership
Delta’s history with the Olympic and Paralympic Movement dates to 1996 when Delta sponsored the centennial Olympic and Paralympic Games in its hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. Six years later, the airline served as the Official Airline Sponsor of the Olympic Winter Games Salt Lake City 2002 — another important hub for the airline. Partnering with the Salt Lake City 2002 Games Organizing Committee, Delta also served as the Official Charter Flight Provider of the 2002 Olympic Torch Relay. In 2020, Delta announced a multi-year partnership as the Official Airline of Team USA on the road to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Beijing 2022, Paris 2024, Milano Cortina 2026 and the LA28 Games, where Delta is proud to bring the Games back to the U.S. and one of our most important hubs as a founding partner of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Customers and fans of Team USA can enjoy the spirit of the past two Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as the LA28 Games, through the visual excellence of Delta’s Team USA livery aircrafts. The Team USA Beijing, Paris and LA28 custom liveries are currently flying and can be spotted at their home bases in the U.S., as well as on long-haul international routes.
The foundation of this partnership is in the alignment of values, as Delta and Team USA have a shared focus on excellence, a passion for connecting people and cultures, a drive to be the best and the continuous pursuit to keep climbing. To learn more about Delta’s partnership with Team USA, see here.
Related Topics: Community Affairs, Government Affairs, Team USA
