Jul 23, 2008 9:00 pm US/Eastern
Pa. Gold Medal Hopeful Headed To Beijing
BERWYN, Penn. (CBS 3) ―
Rick Powell is "enthusiastically
excited" at the thought of participating in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
"He's pretty
dedicated," said Sandy Powell, Rick's mother "He's given up a lot
although he thinks he gave up nothing. He thinks this is where he wants to be.
He graduated high school early because he wanted to start training full time
and so for him he's got this drive."
The teenager, who has been
in a boat since he was 2-years-old, will be representing the United States
in the white water slalom event. The white water slalom is one of the most
grueling events of the summer games, combining elements of rapid rafting and
slaloming while working with one other teammate.
A natural in the water,
Rick was using a paddle in his kayak at age six.
"The first time I
raced competitively on a national level was the first time I was really
thinking about the Olympics," said Powell, he was ten at the time.
Olympic trials have been
held over the last couple of months and Rick was among several athletes who received
last minute team confirmations.
"We found out at 4:30
in the morning and I just screamed and then I just started crying, it was very
emotional," Sandy
said.
The health care center
where his mother Sandy works was the locations of a emotional send off for the
young Olympian.
Rick will depart for China Friday and is among 17 other athletes from
our area headed to Beijing
this summer.
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