The fifth International Olympic Committee Congress on Women in Sport is taking place in downtown Los Angeles this weekend. The growing numbers of athletes who are balancing the challenges of raising a family and training for Olympic trials are adding a new dimension to this topic. Local track star Lashinda Demus shared the details of the daily regimen and ongoing challenges that top female athletes face when they are raising a family in a panel at USC’s “Sports and Social Change” series last night.
With her husband and two four year old boys listening in the audience, Demus explained that getting them ready for pre-school with a healthy breakfast has become the first item on her daily agenda. Her athletic training continues to be a family affair, since her coach is also her mother. According to Demus, her own mother literally raised her on the track. After training on the track each morning, she adds yoga to her regimen most afternoons. The spectacular results include a Gold Medal in the 1600 meter relay at the World Athletic Championships in Berlin in 2009.
Healthy homemade meals give Demus a competitive edge. “I like to cook,” says Demus. Her favorite entrees are chicken, fish and ground turkey. Protein shakes round out the nutrition program and an occasional cookie gives this working Mom an energy boost and satisfies her sweet tooth.
A fellow panelist, swimmer Jessica Hardy, added an important perspective, telling the audience “I’ll sacrifice everything in my life to do what I love.” If you cannot travel to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London to do what you love yourself, you can still see these star athletes closer to home. USA Track and Field trials to select the members of the 2012 Olympic Team from June 22 to July 1 in Eugene, Oregon. Tickets are already on sale. USA Swimming has scheduled Olympic veterans and Olympic hopefuls to compete June 25-July 2 to Omaha, Nebraska.
To add a personal observation, Demus stands out as especially deserving of generous financial support from local sponsors. Her success as a world class athlete who manages a busy schedule that includes raising young twins is an inspiration to millions of working women. Her decision to train here in Southern California is a compliment to our own sports community that merits special recognition.
After Lashinda Demus shared this inspiring story, my own mother passed away peacefully in her sleep. The inspiring way that Ms. Demus’ mother has coached her own children to achieve excellence and Demus’ own dedication to doing the same for her children made an experience that is often full of sadness an uplifting moment that is full of hope.
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