You may have read my earlier post about Olympic Moms at the Games in Beijing. Well, the games are almost over now and the mommies have done an outstanding job balancing motherhood and the demands of the Olympics. Congrats to all of them.
I mentioned in an earlier post that I was going to be watching Dara Torres because she is one super mommy who doesn't give up even as she gets older. The five-time Olympian and mother of 2-year-old Tessa, Dara Torres won three silver swimming medals at age 41! Way to go, girl. So how does motherhood affect their performance? Christine Rampone, co-captain of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team and mother of 2-year-old Riley, says "I'm quicker, faster, stronger than before the baby and it's amanzing. I feel great," according to the TODAYshow.com. I guess Rampone's body tolerates lack of sleep and chasing after a toddler better than I did. Her co-captain Kate Markgraf has another take on the motherhood edge, saying being a mom has made her smarter and calmer. I guess motherhood helps, because these soccer mommies and the rest of Team U.S.A. were golden in Beijing. Team U.S.A. women's soccer team appeared outplayed and undermanned (sounds familiar to most of us moms) during the gold medal match, but they got the final shot they needed and beat Brazil 1-0 to win the gold. Evidently bringing the kids along to the Olympics even helps some of the athletes. (Kudos to their supportive families and friends who help out when mommy is competing.) Three-time gold medalist and pro-basketball star Lisa Leslie takes her 14-month old daughter with her on every game trip. Evidently little Lauren gives her mom the peaceful feeling that she needs to stay calm during competition.