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It’s so overwhelming
Jen Davidson, 29, is one of the top brakemen in the world. The Utah native has paired with driver Jean Racine for the past three seasons to form a powerful bobsled team. For more on Davidson and Racine see bobsledgirl.com. The two-time World Cup champions are in the process of training for the 2002 Salt Lake Games. Check out Davidson's diary on CNNSI.com as she prepares for the Games.
September 14, 2001
I didn't know what else to do ... so I trained. But it wasn't my usual focused, concentrated effort. It was half-hearted, distracted, going-through-the-motions training. My eyes had seen all of the horrific images that they could handle. So I pried myself away from the television on Tuesday and went to the gym. It was the only means I could come up with to cope with the tragedy currently taking place. My whole workout seemed surreal -- almost like an out-of-body experience. I put on my headphones and my favorite mix of music to try to drown out the news coverage that was coming through every speaker in the gym. But nothing worked. Suddenly, the Olympics didn't seem so important anymore. Today has been harder mentally than the days immediately after the attack. As the human interest stories start to pour in, my heart breaks for those who lost loved ones. It's so overwhelming. I've been questioned a lot in the past few days about how this terrorist attack will affect athletes, training, competition events, and the Games. The effects have already been felt. Our training camp in Canada next week has been canceled. Our head coach has been called back to his Army unit and is currently in New York City. Our start coach who awaited our arrival for camp is stuck in Canada. The U.S. Olympic Committee and Salt Lake Organizing Committee have curtailed travel. I even heard a rumor that we may not be able to wear our national colors and uniforms when competing abroad this fall and winter in order to maintain a low profile. Obviously, this will and does affect us as athletes. But today, as I arrived at the gym, I trained with a new resolve. It was almost as if the terrorists had inspired me to work harder. They wanted to break our spirits and destroy our dreams. That's the last thing I'm willing to let them do. They WON'T do it to me! The attack hasn't made me any more fearful of traveling or competing out of the country. It's just really made me realize that this could happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere -- without warning. It could happen at the Games as easily as it happened Tuesday, or could happen next week. And I think the Games will be even more secure now that this has happened. SLOC is already re-evaluating their security plans, and the governor of Utah and Mitt Romney have both promised that these Olympics will go on safely. Like most Americans, I feel an increased sense of patriotism. I'm proud to live in this country. I've trained my whole life to have the opportunity to wear red, white and blue and represent the USA. In my mind, the Olympics have always been a symbol of peace and unity. I look forward to standing in opening ceremonies amongst the greatest athletes in the world at an event that transcends political and religious boundaries. I hope that these Games will help with the healing process of our nation and that I can play a small role in that process.
147 Days to Go
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