Olympics

I try to keep my blog subjects topical to my life as well as topical to the news of the day around us.  In the midst of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, I thought it would be interesting and noteworthy to acknowledge a pair of world-class athletes who have fought tirelessly in the pursuit of excellence within their given sport, and who are/have battled cancer along their way to Paris.

Brazilian rugby player Raquel Kochhann is competing in her third Olympics following months of treatment after a malignant tumor was found in her breast. Her cancer is now dormant and under control.

Karlie Kisha will play for the U.S. women's field hockey team at the 2024 Paris Olympics after undergoing surgery for thyroid cancer.

And here are a few other famous Olympic athletes who have become cancer victims and survivors as well.

   -   Gold medal Figure Skater Scott Hamilton (1984)

   -   Gold medal Gymnast Shannon Miller (1992 / 1996)

   -   Gold medal Hockey player Mario Lemieux (2002)

   -   Tennis-player Martina Navratilova (2004)

   -   Swimmer Eric Shanteau (2008)

It's not about who they are or were, but rather that cancer indiscriminately reaches out and touches (pummels) so many of us.  Athletes are no more prepared to handle the diagnosis, nor are they any more likely to succeed in the treatment than anyone else.  I suspect that if you were to ask any one of those mentioned above, they would hold their Olympic medal or participation in high regard, but would rank their survivorship at the pinnacle of their sports or health accomplishments.