It takes a lot to be a professional athlete: time, commitment, serious dedication, willpower. Over the years we've profiled many athletes. Here are five women and girls who've shown their mettle and made it to an Olympic games.
MINNESOTA GOALIE READY FOR OLYMPIC DEBUT
At 20 years old, Rooney is the youngest player on the U.S. roster. “I always watched the Olympics growing up and I always had a dream to play on this team,” said Rooney.
THREE LESSONS FROM SURPRISE GOLD MEDALIST JESSIE DIGGINS
“Courage isn’t always winning,” stated Diggins. “Courage is sometimes standing up and saying, ‘That wasn’t what I hoped and dreamed for, and I’m going to try again.’
HOW HURDLER KORI CARTER TRANSFORMED DISAPPOINTMENT INTO WORLD TITLE
"I missed the Olympic team by one spot, so it wasn’t like I was doing terrible,” Carter says. “(But) not making that team made me think, ‘Do you need to make some changes?’ ”
ODD COUPLE: LINDSEY SPARKS AND DEVON NEWBERRY’S EXCEL WITH CONTRASTING STYLES
"We love to be around each other,” Newberry says. “We’re around each other all the time, and it’s never annoying. It’s just always love.”
