MyHope, for me, is a way to say ‘Thank You’ to all those who have given me hope when I was at the bottom. Our children in Addis Ababa did not care if I was the drunken disco scapegoat of the world championships; they just wanted a fair chance to get an education.
This thought, and their acceptance, gave me the strength I needed to move on. In my preparation for the Olympics, I have often thought of our children. If she is happy and content if her school has a fixed roof, a clean floor, and a decent teacher, then I too can be content. After all, in comparison to many of the children’s struggles, Olympic medals are a trifle.