Last week a great opportunity fell into my lap at just the right time.
BP America an official USOC sponsor heading into 2012 brought me to
New Orleans the the AAU Junior Olympic Games and it was such a
wonderful time. With over 14,000 entries it now has the title of
largest track meet in the US. Being there was a great reminder of what
it was like to be a kid running track. It was so much fun to get to
travel to a new place. The goal was simple run as fast as you can and
have fun.
Wallace, Lolo and I were signing autographs for the kids, announced a
few races, did some interviews and handed out awards. Our days were
full but BP provided tip top accommodations and made sure we got a
full taste of the New Orleans Culture.
We did Bourbon Street, toured the French quarter on a mule, ate
beignets and I got to be the MC at the Seafood Expo. My favorite part
was the swamp tour where ZZ took us out on a pontoon boat and told us
all about life in the bayou. We also checked out the area most widely
affected by Katrina. There are a few new homes replacing part of the
ninth ward but a lot of the land is still vacant.
While sitting in the press box watching the meet the last day I had
one of those ah ha moments. Suddenly it dawned on me what I have
accomplished and that those things will never be erased. Until then I
don’t know that I appreciated what the accomplishment of being an
Olympian means. Sometimes we get buried in what we are going thru
right now that we forget how blessed we have already been. It was a
much needed reality check but a very positive one. In just a few days
I forged friendships that I hope will last a lifetime. Thanks again to
Iris, Norman, Pia, Mark, Malcolm, Curtis, Gerald and everyone in the
BP Family for treating as if I was one of their own.
BP America an official USOC sponsor heading into 2012 brought me to
New Orleans the the AAU Junior Olympic Games and it was such a
wonderful time. With over 14,000 entries it now has the title of
largest track meet in the US. Being there was a great reminder of what
it was like to be a kid running track. It was so much fun to get to
travel to a new place. The goal was simple run as fast as you can and
have fun.
Wallace, Lolo and I were signing autographs for the kids, announced a
few races, did some interviews and handed out awards. Our days were
full but BP provided tip top accommodations and made sure we got a
full taste of the New Orleans Culture.
We did Bourbon Street, toured the French quarter on a mule, ate
beignets and I got to be the MC at the Seafood Expo. My favorite part
was the swamp tour where ZZ took us out on a pontoon boat and told us
all about life in the bayou. We also checked out the area most widely
affected by Katrina. There are a few new homes replacing part of the
ninth ward but a lot of the land is still vacant.
While sitting in the press box watching the meet the last day I had
one of those ah ha moments. Suddenly it dawned on me what I have
accomplished and that those things will never be erased. Until then I
don’t know that I appreciated what the accomplishment of being an
Olympian means. Sometimes we get buried in what we are going thru
right now that we forget how blessed we have already been. It was a
much needed reality check but a very positive one. In just a few days
I forged friendships that I hope will last a lifetime. Thanks again to
Iris, Norman, Pia, Mark, Malcolm, Curtis, Gerald and everyone in the
BP Family for treating as if I was one of their own.