As hard as it may be to believe, there is a Georgian in the Winter Olympics.
For a Georgia girl with an aversion to the cold, bobsledder Elana Meyers has relished her two weeks so far in the mild climes of . . . Vancouver?
As the Canadian city has sweated through 50-degree, snow-starved days, much to the anguish of the Winter Games populace, here is one misfit whose Olympics adventure has been enhanced by the relative heat wave.
“It’s been great weather, sunny and gorgeous, which makes for wonderful bobsled weather,” Meyers, whose closet lacked a winter coat until she taste-tested the northern-influenced sport just 2 1/2 years ago, said via e-mail.
A fortnight of waiting finally over, the lone metro Atlantan amid the U.S. Olympians is primed for her four implausible trips during the last of the Winter competitions to begin.
On Tuesday, she will ascend to the course starting area, silently recite the biblical passage from Psalm 118:6 (“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man to do to me?”), ritually wiggle the USA-2 sled formerly known as Pinky, and get a pat on the back and a “let’s go!” from partner Erin Pac.
However, Pac, the team driver and a Farmington, Conn., native, was diagnosed Saturday with a strained left hamstring that could compromise the sled’s chances.
I really enjoy the bobsled competition so I’ll be watching and cheering.
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What is it about Georgians and bobsleds? :>)
If I remember correctly, USA Bobsledding has included (as team members/alternates) in past Games former UGA football star Herschel Walker (not sure if it was the 2-man, 4-man, or 13-man sled :-Þ) and former Tech track star James Purvis (now a firefighter/paramedic for the City of Marietta, I believe.)
I have wondered the same thing. With Herschel it was the two-man bobsled (though he could quite possibly have pushed a 13-man sled). His team finished 7th.
We all wish her great success! Go Team USA!!
USA USA USA, what a hockey game the other night!
It certainly was. I can’t wait for the next one. I am loving the hockey this year more than ever. I know most women don’t like hockey (or don’t understand it). I happen to do so because my husband played semi-pro back in the 70′s and early 80′s. Love the sport. The USA is definitely looking strong in men’s and women’s.
I’ve actually enjoyed watching the curling competitions. Probably the closest thing to a game of strategy that I can think of in the Olympics off hand.
I fell in love with curling. My family thinks I’m crazy for liking, but I do. As for the strategy part, well it definitely is all about strategy. Relaxing game to watch, too.
Great runs yesterday has put Meyers in medal contention! Wonderful job!! We wish her best of luck on her next two runs!! GO USA!!!!
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