As the Centennial Olympics approach, there is
much excitement and anticipation. The summer games are sure to be filled
with world records and stories of courage.
Complete Schedule of Events
Next month, track and field will include especially magnificent events.
Hundreds of athletes will travel from all over the world to represent their
countries and try to accomplish their own dreams.
Uta Pippig
Uta Pippig, the winner of three consecutive Boston Marathons, will compete
in the Olympic Marathon and represent Germany. Last April, Pippig succeeded
in beating Tegla Laroupe in the last mile of the race to win.
There will be several other athletes from all over the world who are expected
to win metals. Tegla Laroupe, an accomplished marathon runner from Kenya,
will compete in the 10,000 meters. Laroupe won the New York City Marathon
in 1994 and 1995. This past April, Laroupe came in second place after Uta
Pippig in the Boston Marathon. The first-ranked woman 1500 runner, Hassiba
Boulmerka, is expected be a threat to Americans Regina Jacobs and Suzy Hamilton.
Ghada Sjouaa from Syria will compete in the heptathlon. Shouaa is a large
threat to Jackie Joyner-Kersee, the top heptathlete in the United States.
In the 1995 World Championships, Shouaa won with a score of 6,651 points.
Having just finished the U.S. Olympic trials, many American athletes are
on their way to Atlanta. During the trials Michael Johnson won both the
200 meters and the 400 meters. Johnson succeeded in setting a world record
in the 200
with a time of 19.66 seconds. Steve Holman was the expected winner in the
1500 meters at the trials, but finished a disappointing seventh place. Holman,
a graduate of Georgetown University, still may be able to qualify for the
Olympics if the second and third place finishers at the trials cannot finish
a race in the qualifying Olympic standard before July 16.
Gwen Torrence
Gwen Torrence, the top sprinter in the 100 meters and the 200 meters,
won the 100 meters at the Olympic Trials but failed to qualify for the Olympics
in the 200 after finishing in fourth place.
As the Olympics near and the athletes are finishing
their final preparations, the rest of the world waits anxiously to watch
a tradition that has lasted for the 100 years. We will see dreams come true
for some and years of work and training end in disappointment for others.
In less than twenty days, the dream of the Olympics will be a reality.