We’re not the sportiest bunch, so we just learned that the U.S. Olympic Committee annually elects a “Hall of Fame Class.” This year’s hall of famers were just announced, and these winning jocks will be inducted in an awards ceremony on August 24th in Chicago. We couldn’t help but notice that the class includes some amazing women…
Kristine Lilly, midfielder for the Women’s National Soccer Team:
Lilly is a three-time Olympian, with two gold medals and one silver. She started every Olympic match of her career and played all but 22 minutes in Olympic competition. She scored 130 career goals, and is the only person to play in 5 FIFA Women’s World Cups. The youngest and oldest player to score for Women’s National Team, her career with them spanned from 1987 through 2010. We accrued so many punch-card points at the local coffee shop that we recently got a free latte, so we, too, know something about longevity and dedication.
Gail Devers, Track and Field:
Devers is a 5-time Olympian, 3-time gold medalist, one of 2 women to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the 100 meter sprint. AND, she won her gold medals after battling Graves disease. And you thought you were hot shit for taking a long walk when you had a cold the other day.
Jean Driscoll, Paralympic Track and Field:
Born with Spina Bifida, a permanently disabling condition, Driscoll won 2 Olympic medals, 12 Paralympic medals, and holds the world record in the 10,000-meter track event. She became the first eight-time champion of the Boston Marathon in 2000, and remains the first and only person to ever break the course and world record at the Boston Marathon five times.
Lisa Fernandez, pitcher and third baseman on USA Women’s National Team:
A three-time gold medalist, Fernandez was one of the top stars on the National Team. She holds the record for most Olympic doubles. In the 2004 Olympic games, her pitching record was 4-0, and she set the Olympic record with a .545 average at the plate.
Jenny Thompson, swimmer:
Thompson has won 12 medals, 8 of them gold. This is more swimming medals and gold medals than any other woman in U.S. history. She’s a 23-time national champion, and at the Pan-Pacifics, she won the 50 free four times, the 100 free four times, and the 100 fly three times. She retired from swimming and attended medical school to come out of retirement and win 2 silver medals on the 2004 Olympic team. She could probably bench-press you.
