Unsung Heroes
By Missy Park • Aug 27th, 2008 • Category: Missy's MusingsUnsung heroes. Yes, there are the obvious heroes: the Dream Team—male and female, Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt. But there are also the stories of a quieter, more genuine kind of inspiration. Some of my favorite moments didn’t necessarily involve marquee-athletes winning gold medals, but rather the great, unsung heroes who showed both strength and grace during adversity.
Lolo Jones showing that it’s possible to be a champion even when you lose.
The business like poise of the Chinese gymnasts and divers…I don’t care how old they are.
The U.S. women’s soccer team’s Wambach-less gold medal…there is no “I” in “team.”
The bouncy, girl-next-door energy and optimism of Shawn Johnson.
Hope Solo the ostracized American soccer goalie who delivered for her team and recovered from her own year of discontent.
The Japanese softball gold medal achieved in the face of the US juggernaut.
Dara Torres—Yahhhhooo for 40 somethings!!!!
Who were the unsung heroes in your Olympic summer?
Missy Park, Founder
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17 Karen says:
September 26th, 2008 - 1:09pmCongrats to all the athletes what a truely amazing accomplishment and experience. I loved how everyone I talked to seemded to be into watching them just as much as me. Even those who typically don’t watch sports. When the relay swim team beat France to me was truely a magical moment that I feel lucky to have witnessed and made me feel proud to be an American.
16 Mary says:
September 20th, 2008 - 3:35pmFor grace under pressure, I continue to think of Sylvie Frechette, of Canada’s synchronized swim team in the early 90’s. She went to the Olympics just days after her fiance had committed suicide, and competed to what should have been a gold medal, but was cheated of it when one of the judges pressed a wrong number on the computer scoring system. Astonishingly, even though the judge recognized her mistake, Sylvie was not recognized as the gold medalist until much much later. No complaints, head high and gracious.
15 Lee says:
September 15th, 2008 - 9:43pmAfter all the hype around training of US elite women for the marathon I thought it was stunning that even the faves can get hurt or sick and a Constantina Tomescu can come from nowhere to leave everyone far behind. And it’s a comfort to me as an aging athlete that even if I might get hurt before a race and not be able to run, it happens to everybody - even the best in the world!
14 Stacy Koepplin says:
August 30th, 2008 - 9:26amI would have to say the women’s 8+ (rowing) and Michelle Guerette (the woman’s single scull) who won silver. I love the 8+ who were finally able to beat the Romanians and the Dutch and avenge their loss in Athens. I also loved that most of them sung (and sung loudly) the national anthem. When I was training with the team to sing or not to sing was a big debate. I think that after you have won a gold medal for the United States you can’t help to be moved to sing at least the “Land of the free, and the home of the Brave!”. As Michelle Guerette missed gold by .43 seconds in an event that is historically weak for U.S. rowing. You go girl!
13 Pam says:
August 29th, 2008 - 12:35pmThey are all heroes in my opinion. Anyone that works that hard to even get to the Olympics, never mind winning a medal is a true champion. Cheers to Dara Torres - she is a true sportswoman! Michael Phelps - amazing! But, I have to agree with Marliss above regarding the favorite Olympic moment. I really enjoyed watching the Women’s Marathon and was blown away by the speed and determination of the Romanian who won. As a 49 year old runner (soon to be 50) she really gave me a reason to work on my speed!
12 Marliss says:
August 29th, 2008 - 6:59amMy favorite moment was when the 38-year old mother of a 17 year old son won the Women’s Marathon.
11 Maggs says:
August 29th, 2008 - 3:04amRohullah Nikpai, 21 yr old from Afghanistan-bronze medal taekwondo
Natalie du Toi, lost her leg and still swam 10K
Maarten van der Weijden, overcame leukemia to win gold in the 10K swim
Oksana Chusovitina, 33 yr old german gymnast. Won silver on the vault. Moved to Germany for her son to get medical treatment.