Today, it was announced that Oscar Pistorius has made the 2008 TIME 100, the annual list published by TIME Magazine, which identifies the 100 most influential people in the world. Oscar is in good company, including the Dalai Lama, Lance Armstrong, Nelson Mandela, Vladimir Putin, and Al Gore.
While TIME refuses to rank the 100 in importance, but does create categories – Oscar is listed third in the Heroes & Pioneers list, just after Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Oprah Winfrey – the magazine also conducted a poll amongst its readers to hear whom they thought should be on the list, and Oscar placed 19th.
Just one year ago, very few people in the world were aware of this young South African bilateral amputee who may very well change the history of sport because of his resolve and determination to compete on equal ground and without apologies against able-bodied athletes.
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TheFinalSprint.com’s monthly Success Story selection aims to highlight remarkable and factual accounts of runners who have overcome major obstacles and/or changed their lives, or the lives of others, through running and fitness.
I am proud to announce that TFS’s April 2007 Success Story and my guest in Episode 37 of The Final Sprint Podcast is the legendary KATHRINE SWITZER!
Kathrine, who was called the “Susan B. Anthony of running” by fellow running great Joan Benoit Samuelson, broke the gender barrier in 1967 when she became the first woman to officially enter and complete, what was at that time, the all-male Boston Marathon.
She also won the 1974 NYC Marathon, was a driving force behind the inclusion a women’s marathon in the Olympics, received an Emmy for her work as a sports broadcaster and remains one of the most courageous and inspiring runners in history.
Download the podcast to hear Katherine discuss what led to her iconic run, little known facts about her “race gear”, attempts to forcefully remove her from the course, finding the inner strength to push forward, how the race forever altered the course of her life and the lives of all future generations of female athletes, her new autobiography “Marathon Woman” and much more!
Listen In
[PLAY] (To Download: Right click and select “save as”)
[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to youHost: Adam Jacobs
Guest: Kathrine Switzer
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 21.5 MB
Length: 00:31:25
Check out every episode of TFS’s Podcast in iTunes!
Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!
Today’s podcast features a very special interview with Grete Waitz; the legendary Norwegian runner who, among her plethora of accomplishments, won a record nine New York City Marathons between 1978 and 1988, a silver medal in the first Olympic women’s marathon, five World XC titles and broke the world marathon record nine times.
Grete, a woman of incredible talent, passion, modesty and grace, has also been instrumental, through both her athletic achievements and tireless advocacy, in promoting equality for female athletes. In the interview Grete speaks about how things have changed since she first began running; describing the lack of opportunities in the 1970’s, the first Olympic women’s marathon in 1984, and the vast array of athletic opportunities available to women in today’s society.
Grete talks about her transformation into a marathon runner; the story behind her historic, debut victory at the 1978 NY Marathon and her special bond with Fred Lebow, the NYRR and people of NYC.
She also explains that running alongside Fred - her dear friend and the race’s legendary co-founder – as he completed the 1992 NY Marathon while undergoing treatment for the cancer that would ultimately take his life – was a very special experience; one that makes up for the 10th victory that Fred always wanted her to win.
Download the podcast to hear Grete discuss these topics, her own battle with cancer, being inspired by Lance Armstrong, and how Fred’s legacy continues to thrive through the NYRR’s efforts in America, around the world and via the NYRR Foundation.
Listen In
[PLAY] (To Download: Right click and select “save as”)
[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to youHost: Adam Jacobs
Guest: Grete Waitz
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 12.6 MB
Length: 00:18:26
Check out every episode of TFS’s Podcast in iTunes!
Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!
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