Beijing Bound

Nailing down an Olympic athlete, or a potential one, is like trying to catch a greased pig. While the pig is focused on escaping someone’s grasp, the athlete with Olympic aspirations is focused on achieving the highest level in their sport when they can compete against the world’s best athletes on the biggest stage. That’s expected, but it makes things somewhat difficult when trying to secure interviews and produce an article devoted to Colorado-based Olympians.

What we do know is that of the athletes potentially competing for the United States in Beijing, at least 24 reside in Colorado on a regular basis (more come to Colorado specifically to train at the Olympic training facility in Colorado Springs). At press time, 11 have qualified for the team in their respective sports: Alexander Artemev, Gymnastics (Lakewood); Taylor Phinney Cycling (Boulder); Laura Bennett and Matt Reed, Triathlon (both from Boulder); Rebecca Snyder (Grand Junction), Corey Cogdell (Colorado Springs), Matt Emmons, Jason Turner and Emily Caruso, all shooting; Eli Bremer, Modern Pentathlon (Monument); Janet Culp, Synchronized Swimming – Team (Littleton).

Another dozen are hoping to secure spots at upcoming Olympic trials.

Since many of the Olympic team spots remain open pending trials held closer to the Olympics, it’s hard to rank Colorado’s place in terms of sheer athlete numbers representing America. Larger states, like California, have a greater number of athletes overall, but one thing is certain: Colorado’s high elevation creates an excellent athletic training ground.

And that should be an advantage for endurance athletes like cyclists and runners (that is, if they can avoid the potential hazards of Beijing’s noted air pollution) when they head to the Chinese city, situated at a mere 142 feet above sea level.

But the real question is what makes an athlete want to participate in the Olympics, just like nearly 100,000 athletes previously have, according to the Olympic International Committee? Many of these elite athletes will be competing against the same people they compete against regularly, but this time with the attached Olympic dream to stand on a podium and show the whole world that they are the best in their sport. It can be a driving motivation. And that is part of the equation, according to the few athletes we were able to track down between training sessions. Many just marvel at the spectacle that remains the Olympics.

Here’s what a couple of them had to say about their Olympic hopes:

Janet Culp is a synchronized swimmer, team discipline, from Littleton. She began swimming when she was 10 and the combination of swimming, dance and gymnastics drew her into the sport. This is her first Olympics.

RMS: What importance do the Olympics hold for you?

JC: As long as I can remember, I have been impressed and excited about the Olympics. I remember talking about the Olympics in 1988 in my kindergarten class. I think they are a global test of strength, grace and determination for the pure love of sport. Not everyone who reaches a high level in their sport can still enjoy what they are doing, and I think the Olympics really embody that.

RMS: Is making the Olympic team a life-long goal, or something that became more tangible as you developed in your sport?

JC: Qualifying for the team has been more of a recent goal. I remember watching the 1992 Olympic synchronized swimmers and thinking that going would be really exciting. However, I didn't fully pursue this dream until I graduated from high school, and I decided that I really wanted to see how far I could go in the sport. When I made my first national team, I hoped that I might make the Olympic team. But more important I have always tried to practice and compete with no regrets and work really hard every day. I knew that if I did that, I would go as far as I could possibly go, and I couldn't be disappointed with any results. 

RMS: What was the moment you knew you had a shot at making the team?

JC: I thought I had a shot at making the Olympic team after I qualified for the World teams in 2005 and 2006. 

RMS: What are your realistic goals and expectations for the games?

JC: My personal goal is to enjoy the experience and have the best swim we possibly can. I think we have a good chance at a medal, but that is not what I am trying to focus on in the competition. Especially in a judged sport, you can only control your own performance so that's what I will be focusing on.

RMS: What are you expecting the Olympics to feel like?

JC: Honestly, I think they will be an emotional roller coaster. The actual competition and the opening ceremonies will be exciting beyond belief. But there will also be sadness about this being possibly the last competition with the girls I have trained with for the last two or three-plus years. I will also feel disappointment that my twin sister, who just missed making the team, can't be there competing with me.

RMS: What do you hope to take away with you?

JC: I am going to try to really enjoy the moments there because I think they will go by really fast. I will have lifelong friendships and memories that will be with me for years to come.

Corey Cogdell is a 21-year-old Alaska native now living in Colorado, and participating in International Trapshooting. This is her first Olympics, but she was a medalist at the 2007 World Cup Korea and Pan American Games, as well as the 2007 and 2008 spring selection match champion, and 2008 sixth place finisher at the World Cup America.

RMS: What importance do the Olympics hold for you? 

CC: The Olympics symbolized the culmination of all my hard work, all my deepest dreams and desires. It is a great honor and holds a lot of importance to me to be able to represent my country also. 

RMS: Is making the Olympic team a life-long goal, or something that became more tangible as you developed in your sport?

CC: My Olympic dream only developed a couple years ago. I did not know until then that trapshooting was an Olympic sport. As I became more competitive in my sport, my Olympic dream definitely became more reality.

RMS: What was the moment you knew you knew you had a shot at making the team, and once you did, did you specifically direct your training to peak in time to make the team?

CC: I knew a year out from the trials that I had a shot at the Olympic team. After the first match that I beat all the women in the country, I knew that if I could do that again at Olympic trials I would have the Olympic spot. I pretty much trained as hard as I could leading up to the trials to be as ready as possible.

RMS: Is there a secret to your training regimen that made a difference in getting to this point?

CC: I think my level of dedication and determination may have been a determining factor in my making the Olympic team.

RMS: What are your realistic goals and expectations for the games?

CC: I believe it is very realistic for me to think I can medal at the Olympics. I have placed at a very high level internationally and beat many of the women I will be competing against in the Olympics.

RMS: What are you expecting the Olympics to feel like?

CC: I think the Olympics will be very exciting and I will have a sense of accomplishment just being able to attend them. I'm sure I will be nervous, but I know I will have done everything possible to prepare for all the emotions that will undoubtedly come during the Olympics.

RMS: What do you hope to take away with you?

CC: A gold medal!