Which athlete you appreciate the most in this Olympics?
By youless
@youless (112108)
Guangzhou, China
August 17, 2008 8:54pm CST
Last night I watched the gymnastics from TV. I learned the story of Chusovitina Oksana from Germany and I was quite moved to it. She is already 33 years old and she can still have a good achievement in this gymnastics competition.
Her son has the leucocythemia and therefore she moved to Germany at last because they could offer her son the best treatment. She continuously joined the competition so that she could earn from it and then pay for her son's treatment fee. The TV posted Chusovitina Oksana and her son's photo and her son is very cute. I hope her son will recover soon and never forget he has such a great mom and she has really sacrificed for him. Chusovitina Oksana is not only a great gymnastics athlete but also a wonderful mom. And this is why I appreciate her the most in this Olympics.
8 people like this
20 responses
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
19 Aug 08
hi youless.
missed that part about oksana. the olympics is really a great melting pot of stories of personal triumphs. hopefully, i get to see her story again in one of the reruns. thanks for sharing such an inspiring story.
as for discussion, my choice is michael phelps. i know its such as obvious choice but the guy has won the most medals in olympics history so that's got to amount to something right.
the guy is simply sick and hopefully he gets to break his own record in the next olympics.
@aRiSdGrEaT (621)
• Philippines
18 Aug 08
I am not a very fan of Olympics or sports. I dont even know many names of NBA players or boxing personalities, etc. But last weekend, as i changed the channel of my tv, it got to the channel televising the beach volleyball finals of the olympic. USA versus Brazil. And I like the USA women in that event. They are great in volleyball. Great defense and tandem .
@poohgal (6845)
• Singapore
18 Aug 08
That's indeed an inspiring story. I pray her son will recover soon and be filial to his great mother. 
For me, I'm most inspired by Natalia Partyka, a Polish table tennis player. She is born with no right forearm. She is a Paralympics Champion in table tennis. This year is her first year taking part in Olympics. She's one of the few athletes with disabilities taking part in both Olympics and Paralympics. Even though she did not win anything in Olympics this year, I personally feel that she is a champion in her own right. She has overcome all odds to be who she is today. Her spirit and determination is commendable.
For me, I'm most inspired by Natalia Partyka, a Polish table tennis player. She is born with no right forearm. She is a Paralympics Champion in table tennis. This year is her first year taking part in Olympics. She's one of the few athletes with disabilities taking part in both Olympics and Paralympics. Even though she did not win anything in Olympics this year, I personally feel that she is a champion in her own right. She has overcome all odds to be who she is today. Her spirit and determination is commendable. 2 people like this
@lucy02 (5016)
• United States
19 Aug 08
Oh, he's cute. Looks like he may be a future Olympian himself. I don't know too much about the details of her relationship with her coach but she was very instrumental (from what I hear) in getting the treatment for her son. I'm sure she wanted to do well to please her.
1 person likes this
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
20 Aug 08
I either appreciate Oksana Chusovitina or the unknown Jan Frodeno who had never won a major competition before. I also really admire Dara Torres, the 41 year old swimmer for the United States, who just may I'm praying be back in London in 2012. Did you hear Chusovitina is coming back too? She'll be 37. Unheard of for a gymnast.
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
23 Aug 08
There are many. Michael Phelps is the American face of the Games but there is a American boxer who got through to the semi finals who has a daughter at home who has Spinia Bifida. And there is a American High diver who is in her last Olympics.And the 14 year old British diver. And there have been too many track stars' lives that could make a great movie of the week. So I can't just pick one. Every story they have told me is precious and it makes me root for the athleteand it doesn't matter if they are American or not.
1 person likes this
@saivenkaat802003 (4823)
• India
18 Aug 08
She is a dedicated Mom.. God please cure her Son..
And for me.. this Michel Phelps is creating a ripple.. So amazing performer he is..
1 person likes this
@sanzi1201 (644)
• China
18 Aug 08
Yes,phelps is the myth for us all over the world.And,every athlete is great for me.We should bravo for them,no matter which country they are .
1 person likes this
@moondan (712)
• China
7 Sep 08
I have heart the news,when i saw the gymnastics.It is really worth us to appreciate.I deeply feel that mother is great.but the most athelete who i appreciate is Michael Phelps.I love him not only he creats the fable,but also his pure-hearted.He doesn't haughty because of winning.he says that the winning depend on his hard educate.he doesn't think he is a genius.but i think he is successful of his genius and hard-working.I a appreciate unambitious person.
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
20 Aug 08
Thank you Keniel. I am a proud Jamaican and reading your comments makes me even prouder.
1 person likes this
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
18 Aug 08
I do not have television so consequently I have not watched the olympics. when reading your title I was going to answer "I appreciate the athlete that is of genuine spirit, charitable, gregarious, and honest." I think that the Chusovitina Oksana, (is Oksana a Romanian name?)you have mentioned, fits the bill :)
1 person likes this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
18 Aug 08
Last night i watched the women's swimming competition... and i saw how Dana Torres of the USA won silver in the freestyle event... and another silver in the women's relay... what caught my attentiong is that fact that she is already in her forties... and is already a mother... compared to the young swimmers... a lot of people would think that she doesn't stand a chance against them... but she won silver medals... and that is quite an achievement for a mother in her forties...
1 person likes this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
18 Aug 08
Hi youless! I have only seen some parts of the Olympics and haven't seen the story of Chusovitina Oksana. With the information you have shared, I think then that she is really someone anyone will admire. I hope she will be successful and hoping that her son will recover very well from his condition. I applaud people like her and hope more blessings will come their way.
Take care always..God Bless!
1 person likes this
