COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The 2012 edition of the U.S. Olympic Sport and Art Contest is currently underway with submissions being accepted through Feb. 1, 2012. The contest - which calls on American artists to create Olympic-inspired pieces of work - is a collaborative effort between Art of the Olympians and the U.S. Olympic Committee and is being conducted by the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Ala., for a fourth time.

The theme of the 2012 competition is "Sport and the Olympic Values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect." Winners of the U.S. contest will be entered into the International Olympic Committee Art Competition for a chance to win $30,000 and to have their art displayed at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Past entries have included artwork from well-known sport artists such as painter Ernie Barnes and sculptor Sergey Eylanbekov. Barnes, who was the USSA's Sport Artist of the Year in 1984 and 2004, won the graphic works category of the U.S. Olympic Sport and Art contest in 2004 with his painting "Olympic Finish." Eylanbekov, who was the USSA's 2004 Artist of the Year, also won in 2004 with his sculpture "Five Continents."

Submissions will be accepted in the two categories: sculptures and graphic works (paintings, drawings, engravings, etc.). Both categories include abstract art and there are no restrictions on techniques utilized by the artist. All submissions must be free of any third-party rights; works that already belong to a museum or private collection are ineligible.

Sculptures cannot exceed 44 pounds and 4x3x3 feet, including packaging. Graphic works cannot exceed 4x3 feet, including frame.

For detailed information, including the official rules and regulations, click here.

Art submissions must be mailed to: 
United States Sports Academy
Attention: ASAMA
One Academy Drive
Daphne, AL 36526

ABOUT THE USOC
Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., the U.S. Olympic Committee serves as both the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States. As such, the USOC is responsible for the training, entering and funding of U.S. teams for the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American, Parapan American and Youth Olympic Games, while serving as a steward of the Olympic Movement throughout the country. For more information, visitTeamUSA.org.

ABOUT USSA
The United States Sports Academy is an independent, non-profit, accredited, special mission sports university created to serve the nation and world with programs in instruction, research and service. The role of the Academy is to prepare men and women for careers in the profession of sports. For more information about the Academy, call 251-626-3303 or visit ussa.edu .