When the annals of history are written on the sport of Beach Volleyball, Dain Blanton will surely be at the forefront. Dain Blanton along with partner Eric Fonoimoana, struck GOLD at the Sydney, Australia 2000 Olympics as they upset the world's top seeded team from Brazil in men's beach volleyball. More than 10,000 spectators cheered every point at the Bondi Beach, venue as Blanton and Fonoimoana played a near perfect tournament as they stunned the Brazilians in straight sets in their quest for the gold. Winning the gold medal was not the first milestone in the illustrious career of Dain Blanton. In 1997 Dain became a pioneer in the sport of beach volleyball becoming the first African American pro player in the history of the sport to win a major title.

He saved his first career victory for the richest payday in beach volleyball history -- The $300,000 Hermosa Beach AVP Grand Slam. Since his first victory in the summer of 1997 things have been falling into place for the young Blanton. Dain has been burning up the sands of the AVP and FIVB World Tours in preparation for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

With his outstanding performance on the court, and recent media attention off the court (E! Entertainment TV, MTV, NBC, ESPN, TBS, BET, FOX Sports) Dain has received worldwide exposure and found himself in a unique position; that of role model for other African-American and inner city kids. "A lot of kids don't like basketball. Volleyball gives them another option," he continued. "I was lucky to have grown up on the coast where volleyball is big, but most African-American kids have no accessibility to the game."

In 1997, Dain established "Dain's Day at the Beach", a sponsor driven series of volleyball clinics to expose kids throughout Los Angeles' urban areas to the sport of beach volleyball. At these clinics, youths are given fundamental lessons on beach volleyball, and Dain stresses the importance of education, goal setting, and overcoming racial obstacles.

All of the recent attention Dain has received is a true testament to the dedication and determination that he has put into the sport. Blanton, who grew up in the volleyball-rich neighborhood of Laguna Beach, Calif., has always possessed the perfect balance of grace and power. As a high school senior in 1990, Blanton was named the Orange County Player of the Year, Most Valuable Player of the Pacific Coast League and earned all-American honors at the Junior Olympics.

After turning down several basketball scholarships to college, Dain chose to follow his passion and accepted a full scholarship to Pepperdine University in Malibu. In only his second year at Pepperdine, Dain led the Pepperdine Waves to a National Championship. Upon graduation from Pepperdine with a degree in Public Relations, and acquiring his teaching credentials, Dain felt that he could make some waves on the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour.

Dain looks to continue breaking new ground and hopes that his new found celebrity will help him to create opportunities for himself and other African-Americans.

Book Dain Blanton

Contact Gold Medal Greats, the booking agency for Dain Blanton as a motivational speaker or for personal appearances. As Dain Blanton's booking agent, we will be pleased to create a custom package to liven up your conference or trade show, or to make your product launch, infomercial or other endorsement occasion the best possible.

Disclaimer: When considering booking an athlete listed on the Gold Medal Greats website, the fee listed or quoted over the phone/via e mail by a GMG agent is a fee estimated based on industry norms and prior experience only. Although we attempt to have the most updated fee information, the Athlete can change their fee for any reason or no reason at all. Elements such as their schedule, availability, previous bookings, distance Athlete needs to travel for an event, increased exposure due to work related programs, media coverage, etc. can all play a factor in the Athlete's ultimate decision on whether or not an offer and the associated fee is accepted or rejected.

Gold Medal Greats, LLC is an outsourcing Olympic gold medalist talent broker for any occasion or requirement for endorsements, speaking or personal appearances. Because we do not exclusively represent any of the Athletes listed, we make no statements of any kinds as to guaranteeing availability, interest or access to any Athlete. GMG's relationships with Athletes directly, managers and agents provide us access to competitive cost benefits when booking Talent and a knowledge base that would be a significant benefit for all opportunities. In most cases, a Gross Offer for Talent will include GMG's fee. In some cases, GMG's fee will be in addition to the Gross offer. Contact a GMG representative to discuss your specific needs for speakers, motivational speakers, personal appearances, satellite media tours, print, television and internet/web advertising, endorsements, spokespeople, voice-overs, etc.

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