Photo By Capt. Stephen Short | Shannon Miller and the other Olympic heroes sign autographs and talk to the Soldiers...... read more read more
By Capt. Stephen C. Short
172nd Infantry Brigade
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Four Olympic athlete heroes paid tribute to the Soldiers on Forward Operating Base Kalsu during their 12-day Olympic Heroes Tour in Iraq, Jan. 20.
Olympic gold medalists Shannon Miller, Laura Wilkinson, Joey Cheek and Angelo Taylor drew a massive crowd for autographs, pictures and speeches.
"We're trying to let the Soldiers know someone is thinking about them," said Carmen N. Clem, Pro Sports Marketing Ventures and Promotions Co. tour director.
"We hope this event gives the Soldiers something else to think about and that it puts a smile on their faces."
After the autograph line was complete, each of the athletes introduced themselves, discussed the Olympic events they competed in and what awards they earned. Soldiers also got the chance to ask Olympians questions about their careers and lives.
The athletes shared their most memorable experiences, such as Miller's second international gymnastics competition when she was 12-years-old and won a gold medal.
"Here you are standing on a box, and there is a Romanian and Russian standing there just a little bit lower than you, and then you see your flag rise up and our national anthem start playing. I knew then that this is what I wanted to do as the emotion overwhelmed me," said Miller
Miller, a member of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, is the most decorated American gymnast, female or male, in history. Miller won an astounding 58 international and 49 national competition medals, more than half of which are gold.
Laura Wilkinson, Olympic diving champion, ended a 36-year stretch during which no American female diver won gold at the 2000 Olympic Games, while nursing a broken foot.
"It is just an honor for all of us to come meet you here," said Wilkinson.
Joey Cheek won gold at the 2006 Winter Olympics, taking the 500 meter speed skating event. Cheek donated one million dollars of his medal bonus money to relief in Darfur and took time from his studies at Princeton to visit the Soldiers in Iraq.
Angelo Taylor, a track and field gold medalist, broke an Olympic record in 2008 by running in the team event 4x400 meter relay with a time of 2:55.39.
The Olympians took the opportunity to ask questions about life in Iraq and in the military.
"I think this event is a great way to bring a lighthearted spirit to the Soldiers," said Spc. Lisa L. Fulford, a track mechanic for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment.
| Date Taken: | 01.20.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.24.2009 08:29 |
| Story ID: | 29211 |
| Location: | ISKANDARIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 109 |
| Downloads: | 90 |
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