BEIJING BOUND

Three powerful and committed women represent the inspirational cross section of U.S. athletes heading to this year's Olympic Games

By the Hers Staff | Photos by Jim Purdum

>> For complete profiles on each of these three Olympians, pick up the July/August issue, on newsstands through August 24!







While hundreds of women will represent the United States at this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing, three in particular caught our eye. That's because the Games are about more than the venue-bound medal chases that will commence on Aug. 8 — they're about the sweat and the sacrifices made by athletes in the months and years leading up to the event. The Olympics have a gravitas about them that forces even elite athletes to rearrange their lives in hopes of shining on sport's biggest stage — if only this once — and work, play and family are often forced into the periphery.

These three women have not only managed to find balance in their lives but have achieved excellence along the way. Julie Ertel, who is returning to the Olympics eight years after a crushing last-second loss as captain of the 2000 silver medal-winning U.S. women's water polo team, found her stride in the triathlon and will represent the Stars and Stripes in a second sport — a feat as improbable as it is impressive.

Young Allyson Felix, while attending classes at the University of Southern California, has managed to secure the title of "Fastest Woman on Earth" and will look to cement that billing in just over 20 seconds worth of track time in China.

And the inimitable Melanie Roach — all 5'1", 117 pounds of her — is back on track with USA Weightlifting after a devastating spinal injury in 2000 kept her from qualifying for the Sydney Games. She has managed this comeback, inconceivably, at the age of 33, well past a weightlifter's prime, while running a business and raising three children (one of whom is autistic).

Three women, three amazing stories. Citius, altius, fortius — swifter, higher, stronger — has never been quite so inspirational. Let the Games begin!

THE QUALIFICATION PICTURE


--Julie Ertel took just over two hours (2:02:21) to secure her place on the 2008 Olympic Triathlon team. Ertel

--Allyson Felix cruised to an easy victory with a time of 21.82 seconds in her signature event — the 200 meter dash — at the U.S. Olympic Trials, punching her ticket to Beijing. Felix will also likely compete in the 400-meter and 1600-meter relays.

--Melanie Roach locked up her spot on the U.S. weightlifting team in convincing fashion by lifting 240 pounds on the clean and jerk and 178 pounds on the snatch at the Olympic Team Trials.



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>> 2008 OLYMPICS: NICOLE BRANAGH
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