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FeedGoing for Gold
On July 27, the world’s most talented will compete in the summer Olympics in London. Below are 3 Ridgefield women who have competed at this level.
On July 27, the world’s most talented will compete in the summer Olympics in London. Below are three Ridgefield women who have competed at this highest level.
Janel Jorgensen
1988 summer Olympics, Seoul, swimming
Best finish: 4x100-meter medley relay (butterfly), silver medal
currently: CEO, Swim Across America, Boston
“In the sport of swimming, there is no higher accomplishment than reaching the Olympics. For me, it was something that I had dreamed about since I was a little girl and to accomplish that dream will always go down as one of the highlights of my life. Being part of an athletic sports team trains you well at dealing with life’s most valuable lessons—camaraderie, teamwork, positive thinking, perseverance. All these things I learned through swimming and leverage in my day-to-day life!”
Leslie Bancroft Krichko
1980 winter Olympics, Lake Placid, cross-country skiing
1988 winter Olympics, Calgary, cross-country skiing
Best finish: 4x5-kilometer cross-country relay, 8th place
currently: Realtor, William Pitt Sotheby’s, Ridgefield
“I was loving what I was doing—lots of hard work, perseverance, and passion for competition. I remember the opening ceremonies in Lake Placid—finally realizing where I was, how hard I had worked to get there, and thinking of my parents who supported me so fully watching from the stands. It was overwhelming. My knees were weak, and I started to cry.”
Valerie Zimring Schneiderman
1984 summer Olympics, Los Angeles, rhythmic gymnastics
Best finish: 10th place (highest ever by an
American)
currently: owner, The Yoga Shala, Ridgefield
“The years of dedication and hard work that lead up to the Olympic games have continued to serve me throughout my life. At a very young age I learned to stick with my goals, to be dedicated, and to work hard. All the while, our coaches made sure we remained humble. Years and years can go by in a sport like gymnastics before there are any trophies or fanfare. For me it’s always been about the journey. Even though so many years have passed since my Olympic experience, those same principles guide my approach to life.
