Thursday, August 20, 2009

In His Footsteps...




The last time the United States competed as a team in Berlin was the 1936 Olympics. I’m sure you’ll recall that that was the time when Hitler ruled Germany and was determined to prove that the Aryan race was superior. Well, the 1936 Olympics did just the opposite and that was thanks to a man named Jesse Owens. It was not only his superior athleticism, which earned him 4 Gold medals and an Olympic record, but also the way he carried himself as a person. He affirmed that “individual excellence, rather than race or national origin, distinguishes one man from another.”

There are many professional athletes that are looked up to or admired for a myriad of reasons. In our society, it’s easy for us to adore someone based on a skill set they possess. But Jesse Owens is someone that should be revered for the person he was, something that goes far beyond what he accomplished as an athlete. As an athlete I realize the importance of those who came before me and paved the way so that I can live my life doing something that I love and am passionate about. Jesse Owens is one of those people. But his influence goes so far beyond athletics and he is one of those few individuals that could be and should be a hero to everyone.

As a team, we are honoring his legacy and his spirit by adorning our uniforms with the letters JO in the upper right hand corner. If we could all take a little bit of his strength and courage with us in competition, it’s sure to be an advantage. Above all though, it’s an honor to be following in his footsteps.





***For those of you who have been watching track all week long and have wondered when the heck women’s long jump is going to make an appearance, we kick off tomorrow evening for the Prelims at 6:15 pm local time. I feel inspired, blessed, and completely ready for the task at hand. I’m excited to get going and expect to be updating with positive results afterwards. Thank you so much for all the thoughts and prayers!

10 comments:

MariElla said...

Good luck

t.v. said...

Ohh, I have a date with the tv around that time. Can't wait to see you do your thing in the sand. :)

May God's wings lift you high and take you far.

Anonymous said...

"just a smalltown girl living in a crazy world she took a midnite train going anywhere---don't stop believing" journey-lyrics by lead singer steve perry--great song!jp vegas/dc

Anne said...

I'll cross my fingers for you! I am sure you'll do great. Be happy that you didn't compete today with 37°C... I couldn't even work! I couldn't imagine to do sport like all you great athletes in Berlin.
I will definitely sit in front of the telly tomorrow. Good Luck!

Bianca said...

Eeeeeekkkk! The day has come for you to work. it. out.

I'm SO friggin' excited for you!!! I'll be at work so I can't watch at that time but I will be stalking the internet... and twitter... and facebook. (Hint: update)

Anonymous said...

i am so lost for what to do here! i'm leaving my skype on all night so hit me up when it's day to you. i wanna pull a bianca and pray with ya before the meet.
and also, nice rack! hahaha! I LOVE YOUUUUUU!!!

Jackie E. said...

Good luck tomorrow Brianna!!! May God give you wings to fly with....

Rob said...

@Brianna: You like living on the edge? Third attempt and qualifying as 11th, can't get much closer than that ;-) Did the rain influence the long jump a lot?

j buck said...

Brianna's just building up the drama for her 7+ Sunday jump when its sunny and the camera's can really see her cute dimples! Then she can do a victory lap and get a piggy back ride from the mascot!

Plus she wasn't wearing her magic socks. She needs to cut off the stripes and now wear them as a wrist band or arm sleeve!

Plus, plus, it doesn't matter how you get there as long as you get there! IN THE SHOW BABY! IN THE SHOW! Woo-Hoo!

Such drama! So you Brianna!

No matter what you do for the rest of your life, you will now be able to say you are a 2009 World Championships Women's Long Jump FINALIST representing The United States of America! The best of the best of the very best in the entire world! No one can NOW, or EVER take that away from you! EVER! It's in the books, written, there forever! Good job!

Apparently you didn't start thinking about me until the third jump. Geeesh! :)!

Anonymous said...

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