Jerry Summers
The applause and accolades given to University of Tennessee- Chattanooga (UTC) student Olivia Reeves, for winning a gold medal at the Paris, Olympics on Aug. 9, are well deserved and have been sufficiently documented by qualified sports writers, John Shearer, Mark Wiedmer, and others.
The parade on the UTC campus, the award of a “Key to the City of Chattanooga” by Mayor Tim Kelly, a “Resolution” by Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, testimony by various family and private friends in numerous capacities and other public officials congratulated the young lady who won the first gold award by an American in weightlifting in 24 years at the Olympics.
The hundred of students and citizens in attendance heard not only about Olivia’s athletic accomplishments but also her educational life and contribution to the community.
Ironically another young lady by the name of Olivia was also a gold and silver medal winner in Paris.
The Paralympic Games in France followed the Olympics and were watched by millions on television as legally blind Olivia Chambers, also a college student at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), won one gold and two silver medals in swimming.
The expressions of joy and elation were readily apparent at the face of both young ladies as they accepted their medals on the awards podiums on behalf of the United States and themselves.
Both young ladies were the first contestants from the universities to become Olympian or Paralympic champions.
On Friday, Sept. 13, USA Today included a weekend extra 6 page insert in its publication that presented the same never ending displays of determination, joy, and enthusiasm present on the faces of the athletes in Paris, France in both competitions.
(If you can obtain a copy “sit back and be inspired as USA Today shares moments big and small from the Games!”)
PS: The reruns on television of both sporting events are worth watching if you missed them originally! A trip to the local Lloyd Ray Smith Special Olympics Area 4 Games in the Spring of 2025 will produce the same emotional results as did Paris, France!
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