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As I sit here in my hotel bed of the newly renovated Valley River Inn in Eugene Oregon I cannot help but to think, "I can't believe the Olympic Trials are about to begin!" It really happened so fast.  I knew it would be here, we all did but somehow I thought it would take a little longer for it to arrive though.   I participated in my first press conference in 4 years!  It was really fun! I had a blast because I have decided to have fun everyday and just enjoy each and every thing about these trials and this atmosphere!  It was a small press conference with only Ginnie Crawford, Kellie Wells, and myself showing up.  It was relaxed and really funny.  Jokes galore.  Got me really excited about the possibility of making this team!  Anything is possible, I have so many people who support and believe in me.  I want to go out and make them proud and that is going to happen as long as I give 100% in every round and I plan to!  

When I think of all my years in this sport I have to smile and say, "Track has been good to me".  Even with the many years of injuries and disappointments I have an Olympic Gold Medal, and Olympic record, second fastest American ever, and not mention all my high school and college accomplishments and races I've won in Europe.  Most importantly I have made lifelong friends and fans.  I cannot express how important that is to me.  When I think of all the people I've met over the years I am so thankful for this sport.  I am thankful for the day my parents took me to my first track meet at 9 years old, I am thankful for the opportunity to compete in the 2012 Olympic Trials and EVERYTHING in between!  Not only am I excited to compete in this years Olympic Trials I am also excited to watch it!  We have some extremely talented athletes in our country and this Olympic Trials is going to be AWESOME!

So many people will be happy and excited with their results but the truth is that so many more may be disappointed by the end of this wonderful event only 3 spots per event which means the odds are in no ones favor so everyone will push themselves to the limit!

There will be heartbreak and pain and there will be joy and happiness, agony and ecstasy. There will be big hearts and guts laid out on the track, there will be tears of happiness and sadness strength and injury predictably and surprise, anger and relief, sportsmanship and comradely spirit and pride.  10 days jam packed full of emotions! When it's all said and done Team USA will be assembled and ready to again let the world know why we are the hardest team to make and the hardest team to beat! 

This will be my 5th and final Olympic Trials! That's a lot of trials and I'm only 1 for 4. Granted it was an awesome Olympic result so no complaining here.  My first was 1996 and the only reason I went is because my parents have horrible timing And my birthday is December 23rd which made me 8 days too old to compete at world jr’s.  8 days!!! So my coach decided to take me to Atlanta for the Olympic Trials.  Wow! That track was fast my body was Rollin! I made it to the second round and was running faster than I'd ever run before and BAM I hit one of the last few hurdles and knocked out any chance of advancement but I wasn't really trippin' off of it because I honestly didn't have high expectations and did not want to be there.  I wanted to be in Sydney Australia with people my age! But I can say it really was an awesome experience for me.  In 2000 I was supposed to make the team.  It wasn't an "experience" thing I was picked by track and field news to make the team in the 400 hurdles.  However I placed a disappointing 4th in those and 5th I'm the 100 hurdles. I guess Sydney just was not in my future AGAIN!   I was so disappointed I did not return to the track until 2003!  By the time 2004 Rolled around I was ready and highly motivated and well, you know the rest!  The 2008 Olympic Trials proved to be yet another heartbreaking one for me.  After suffering 3 years of injury and defeat I was finally back on track literally, and 3-0 in my races entering the trials.  Feeling great in the first round winning very relaxed and comfortable I felt a huge pain in my knee which ended up being a torn patellar tendon and basically that's all she wrote! I placed 7th and well again, you know the rest!  Track was over and it was on to real life for me.  Or so I thought!  

And, now here I am again 4 years later at Trials number 5!  This time no worries and no stress.  I was stressed and under pressure to make the team in 08' but this year no one expects anything from me I have no contract and nothing to lose!  No matter what happens, good, bad, or indifferent I win because I showed up.  I win because I have made a remarkable comeback, I win because I will have enjoyed myself, I win because I am healthy, I win because God has blessed me with this talent that has touched the world in so many ways, and I win because I will walk off of that track and hug and kiss the most beautiful child in the world.  Zoe is the best reward imaginable.  

So, for all of you reading this just know that I am happy to be a part of the Olympic Trials and when it's all said and done I will be happy with my life and career.  Thank you for all of your support I plan to go out there run hard run fast with my eyes set on London and my heart full of love for track & field! 

Xoxo Jo

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• Olympics
• Track & Field
• Sports
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• Summer Games

This post is related to an event on our Calendar:

• USA Olympic Trials T&F;

This post is related to the following ongoing stories:

• 2012 Olympic Games in London
• 2012 NCAA & Professional Track & Field

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There is 1 comment on this post. Join the discussion!

jschonb says:

We love you and are rooting for you!

Friday, June 22, 2012 at 12:52am EDT

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