Face of Determination
Irvine, California
Al Schaben, Los Angeles Times, 1996

Breaststroke specialist Amanda Beard won a gold and two silver medals at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and a bronze medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

“Pushing the edge of physical pain is exhilarating.”
–Amanda Beard

Spanish Bronze
Barcelona, Spain
Julian Gonzalez, Detroit Free Press, 1992

In Olympic kayaking, slalom singles racer Dana Chladek won a bronze medal in 1992 in Barcelona and a silver medal in 1996 in Atlanta.

“I’m not a big thinker. I just paddle.”
–Dana Chladek

Weightlifter Cheryl Haworth
Savannah, Georgia
Mary Ellen Mark, 2000

In the inaugural women’s weightlifting competition at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Cheryl Haworth won a bronze medal in the 75+ kilo weight class.

“Everybody is good at something and too often people think because they aren’t the same size or shape as some other people that they’ll never find what they’re good at. They think they’re finished and give up.”
–Cheryl Haworth

Aimee Mullins
San Diego, California
Lynn Johnson, 1997

Aimee Mullins competed in NCAA Division I track at Georgetown University and set Paralympic records in 1996 in Atlanta in the 100-meter dash and the long jump.

“The functioning human body is beautiful.”
–Aimee Mullins

The Pro
Duluth, Minnesota
Bill Phelps, 1998

Ila Borders, a professional baseball pitcher, plays in baseball’s Northern League.

“The only thing on my mind when I’m pitching is winning.”
–Ila Borders