Meet an Olympian at Presidio's Prayer Breakfast

By Presidio of Monterey Public AffairsFebruary 7, 2011

Meet an Olympian at Presidio's Prayer Breakfast Feb. 17
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. - Olympian Sheila Taormina is the scheduled guest speaker at the Presidio's observance of the National Prayer Breakfast 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Feb. 17 at the Tin Barn.

The event will include a full breakfast offered free of charge on a first-come first-served basis.

Consider that when an athlete is called an Olympian she separates herself from the masses. To achieve that distinction in four Olympiads is rare. To do it in three sports is unique (as in one of a kind).

Sheila Taormina (pronounced "Tar-meena") competed in her fourth Olympics in her third sport when she finished 19th in the pentathlon at the 2008 Beijing Summer Games.

In 2009 she became one of five members of the inaugural class of the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame. She reached that pinnacle by being a two-time Olympian in the Triathlon (finishing sixth in 2000 and 19th in 2004) and winning the 2004 Triathlon World Championship.

And yet Taormina would probably say it was anything but easy. After being turned down for the U.S. Olympic Training Center prior to the 1996 games, she trained for her swimming medal with junior high swimmers guided by her high-school coach. After qualifying for a relay at the U.S.

Olympic trials and swimming the fastest time in the preliminary Olympic heats, there was still more drama to come before she got her medal (we won't spoil the ending).

While the transitioning from swimming to triathlons is not a big stretch, how does an athlete get from swimming, running and biking to the pentathlon events: swimming, running, equestrian, fencing and shooting a pistol' Especially when one has never ridden a horse - think you hold a sword with two hands and never fired a pistol in your life' How does a person become world-class in less than four years in what is essentially three additional events'

Perhaps this question requires further investigation.

Come listen to a woman of extraordinary Olympian accomplishments and stature share her life, her challenges and her achievements.

Take advantage of this rare opportunity to listen to Sheila Taormina - an Olympic champion in one sport, World champion in a second sport, and the World Cup Standings leader in a third sport - by attending the Presidio's National Prayer Breakfast observation.

For inquiries call the Office of the Chaplain at the Presidio at 831-242-5281 or at Ord Military Community at 831-242-7620 or the Air Force chaplain at 831-242-5875.

Related Links:

Presidio of Monterey Facebook

Presidio of Monterey Flickr

Presidio of Monterey