LAKE PLACID, N.Y.- USA  Luge Junior National Team athlete Emily Sweeney has been selected to take the athlete's oath during the Empire State Games Opening Ceremony in Lake Placid, N.Y. The Ceremonies will begin at 6 PM on Friday, February 26 at the Lake Placid Olympic Center's USA Rink.

"I didn't expect this honor," said Sweeney, who narrowly missed making the 2010 Olympic Team after being edged out by her sister Megan during a dramatic race-off. "I remember being an athlete walking in the Ceremonies, seeing the athletes on stage and thinking that they were untouchable. It's amazing and hard to believe I'm a part of this important event."

During the 2010-11 Junior World Cup season, Sweeney won a bronze medal at the final event and ranked 10th in the overall standings, despite missing two of the five events while racing with the U.S. National Team.

Sweeney, a Suffield Conn. native and student at the National Sports Academy, will not be the only Sweeney competing in the Games. In fact, her cousin, Saranac Lake Middle School eighth grader Nick Sweeney, will be standing amongst the athletes as she takes the oath. Nick will be competing in the junior bobsled competition on Sunday, February 27 at 3 p.m. at The Olympic Sport Complex at Mount Van Hoevenberg. Emily will compete that morning at 8 a.m. at the same venue.

"In Emily, we have a student-athlete that embodies not only the spirit of the Empire State Winter Games, but "Olympism" as well," said James McKenna, president of LPEC Quality Destinations, Inc., which is responsible for the Games. "She comes from a local family in Saranac Lake, and goes to school in Lake Placid. With all of her international racing experience, Emily understands the meaning of giving 100 % effort and the meaning of fair play."

For more information, visit www.usaluge.org or www.empirestatewintergames.com 

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