"So you wanna be an Olympian?" - Follow up

It's been three months (almost) since I last blogged about Kathryn Bertine, the ESPN writer who is on a cut throat quest for a 2008 Olympic berth. In Kathryn Bertine's current installment, chapter 12, she goes on a mission in both China and Venezuela to fight for a few highly coveted Olympic points. She continues to have her fair share of ups and downs , but still has not lost her determination to represent St. Kitts and Nevis as an Olympic athlete this summer in Beijing.

If you're interested in writing to Kathryn, rumor has it that she's very good at responding to e-mail. Here's where you can send your thoughts, questions or motivational tidbits: ESPNOlympian@aol.com

The Real Hero of the Story

As most of you know, I'm a Philadelphia native and so things have been interesting over the past few days as the Philadelphia Flyers battle the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. My fiancé is a Pittsburgh native and prides himself on having made me into a Pittsburgh sports fan. I'm still met with a significant level of moral dilemma when the two cities go head to head. I just don't have it in me to deny my roots!

But all rivalry aside, the highlight of last night's game (for me) was by far the interview with John Challis, a young Beaver County, PA resident and devoted Pittsburgh sports fan. John is an 18 year old who is battling terminal liver and lung cancer. Post-Gazette originally ran a story a few weeks ago titled, A tale of courage which focused on John's battle with cancer and his dedication to his high school baseball team. Since then, John has has been on a national radio show and radio stations in a handful of other cities as well as local television and radio stations. This all leading up to his interview on Versus national television (during last night's game), which is when I first heard of his story.

Last night, prior to his interview, Versus showed the teenager during a scheduled meeting with a few of his all time heroes at Mario Lemieux suite at the end of the first period of the game. In one greeting John met Pittsburgh Penguins owner, Mario Lemieux (whom my fiancé refers to as "Hockey Jesus"), Steelers chairman Dan Rooney and Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. John appeared in shock and just amazed by it all. Shaking hands and taking pictures with a few of his idols.

The article in the Post Gazette which detailed the event quoted John as saying, "My head is spinning, this week has just been incredible and now this. It was like someone dropped me off at the wrong party." He continued on saying, "I felt like one of the kings of the city for a few minutes with those guys. I really can't think of experiencing anything better than this, except maybe going to Rome or meeting God for the first time."

During John's interview last night, after the second period of the game, John spoke mainly about his message which is for everyone to stay positive. He spoke about all the negativity in the media and how unfortunate it is that people focus on the negative stories over the positive. John's overall message is to, "Live life to the best you can every day and be positive."

John's story has moved so many people over the course of the last few weeks. His message and outlook have inspired and touched hundreds, if not thousands of people. Hopefully his outlook and clarity of what's truly important in life will resinate with those who have heard or read his story. And if there is one thing I can say for sure, it's that John's story has definitely touched me. I wish nothing but the absolute best for John and his family as they continue fighting his battle.

"So You Wanna Be An Olympian?" - Thoughts?

The picture posted above is from the latest installment of ESPN's e-ticket coverage of "Olympic Hopeful", Kathryn Bertine. Kathryn Bertine a former ice skater, professional triathlete and author was approached by ESPN and asked to give two years of her life to pursing her dream of qualifying for the 2008 Olympics. The latest article is the ninth installment focusing on Kathryn's self reported progress since the story began in August 2006. As the first article back in August '06 states,

"For the next two years, Bertine will chronicle her Olympic quest for E-ticket. While finding a spot on the 2008 U.S. team is the ultimate goal, Bertine will take every opportunity along the way to stop and smell the sweat socks ... and to share the smell, taste, sound and feel of the experience with you. You'll meet coaches, teammates, competitors, good guys, bad guys, people who will make you laugh, make you cry, make you cover your eyes in horror. You'll find out what the day-to-day life of an elite athlete is like, get a feel for the kind of sacrifices necessary, see for yourself what kind of politics is involved. "

It's an interesting and controversial story of a "regular" athlete turned "elite" cyclist (in 18mths) who wants to get to the Beijing Olympics at any cost, meaning, in any sport (although she's chosen cycling), and as a representative of any country. Yes, any country!! In this latest installment, Kathryn, after failing to make the U.S. Olympic Team is now searching for "athletic adoption" and seems to have secured hopeful interest by St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean. ...And she's now off to attempt to receive dual citizenship there.

I'm not certain if anyone out there has been following this story, but I have a hunch that a few of you have. I think Kathryn's progress over the past (almost) two years is interesting and she's had quite a few fascinating revelations and memorable experiences along the way. I particularly like this quote from Kathryn in this latest (9th) article, " But I now understand that the purpose of human existence is to ask questions, no matter how outlandish, and seek answers, no matter how much the odds are against you. Ask, ask, ask. And when you can't find the answers to life, check your spam box. Hope hides in the strangest of places."

Although I admire her dedication and resilience, I'm not sure what I think about this whole project. And to be honest, I'm jumping into this a bit late and I haven't had a chance to read the entire story. But I'd love to hear some thoughts on this story and Kathryn's overall "progress" at this point. Do you think this is a good idea? What are the pro's and con's if she does end up competing for St. Kitts and Nevis in the 2008 Olympics? What will this prove if anything if she makes it to the Olympics?

Mourning Myron (1929 - 2008)

This is not my usual tone, but I would like to take a second and remember Myron Cope who passed away yesterday. Myron was the broadcaster for the Pittsburgh Steelers and his tenure with the Steelers Network was the longest in NFL history for a broadcaster with any one single team. He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2005, making him the first and only (to date) American Football commentator to receive this honor.

Myron is most remembered for his screechy voice, unique broadcasting style and of course, the Terrible Towel. Myron possessed a level of passion and dedication that I think we all can learn quite a bit from. He left an indelible mark on the Steelers Football program and he will be surely missed.

SuperWomen

The Women's Sports Foundation recently announced their SuperWomen Exhibit Tour!

This is exciting!!! (Again, I would like to mention that I'm not as knowledgable about professional athletes as the "average (runner) bear", but...) I'm a big fan of this book, SuperWomen and of the Women's Sports Foundation


The exhibit "pays tribute to the joy, athleticism, strength, diversity and artistry of women in sports. The beauty and power of female athletes is captured through a mosaic of portraits and personal triumphs in the book SuperWomen: 100 Women–100 Sports by Jodi Buren, released by the WSF and BULFINCH."

The article also states that "the exhibit opened at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Ill., and has toured Los Angeles, Calif., Phoenix, Ariz., Indianapolis, Ind., and Charlotte, N.C. It is currently on display in Dallas, Texas, at The Science Place.The Women’s Sports Foundation is currently searching for additional venues to display the SuperWomen exhibit in 2007. To find our more about the SuperWomen exhibit, contact Bill Bishop at (516) 542-4700 or by e-mail at athlete@WomensSportsFoundation.org."

I may not be able to recall stats very well and I probably couldn't tell you the names of more than one gold medalist in the last Olymipics (if you were to say the names first, I'd likely fair much better!!), however I have such an affinity for this publication. The combination of magnificent photography and the power behind each portrait evokes such inspiration, admiration... and just overall pride in being a fierce, powerful, fit woman!


I dare you to look at this book and not feel the same way! Actually, I double dog dare you! :)

Up to Speed....

I didn't want this whole Marion Jones catastrophe to pass by without commenting on how unfortunate the whole thing is. I mean, as someone who is typically less involved in professional track and field than (I dare to say) most people who consider themselves "runners", this hit home. I mean, what a nightmare!

This once fierce woman who cleaned up at the 2000 Olympics and was an inspiration to a whole nation of female athletes is now seeing what will (hopefully) be her lowest low. Her judge, Kenneth Karas commented, "People live with their choices" after sentencing her to 6mths jail time and 800hrs of community service (and this isn't even touching on the whole check fraud thing. Just sad!). He's obviously chosen to make quite the example out of Marion.

Personally, I think her sentence is a bit too harsh and the "warning" to other professional athletes would have gotten across without going to such an extreme. What she did is undoubtedly disgraceful, but I think forfeiting your Olympic medals and doing 800 hours of community service and outreach programming (not to mention the endless feelings of shame and embarrassment) would have sufficed.

How does this match up with former athletes caught lying about the use or performance enhancing drugs? Is the 6mth sentence a bit harsh?