Arif Khatib, Arkansas native and resident of California's Bay Area, returned to the Natural State to discuss and sign copies of "In the Shadow of Obscurity: Toiling in a Reluctant Society" (ENH Publishing, $15), the book he co-wrote with Pete Elman describing the historic trials, tribulations and struggles of lesser-known nonwhite athletes in an America that wasn't ready to embrace them or their achievements. The book signing was July 30 at Nourish Wellness in Little Rock.
Olympic triumphs continue to inspire jamaicaobserver.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from jamaicaobserver.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Olympic hurdler and Army veteran Willie Davenport competes for Team USA. (U.S. Olympic Museum)
26 Jul 2021
There are hundreds of United States service members who’ve competed in the modern Olympic Games and dozens who’ve won medals. Some participated in the Games before joining, while others were members of Team USA while simultaneously serving.
Every individual who qualifies for a U.S. Olympic team is a world-class athlete, but there are some whose athletic performance and service records distinguish them from the rest of an impressive crew.
Here are 10 gifted Olympic athletes who also served their country.
Louis Zamperini
Olympic Gold: Harrison Dillard and Military Athletes | Library of Congress Blog loc.gov - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from loc.gov Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Ken Conklin
In October 2009 my wife and I along with some friends (another Daleville couple) visited the Temple of Hera in Olympia, Greece, where the ancient Olympic Games took place. We were enjoying an off-ship excursion to this historic site during a Mediterranean cruise.
The Temple of Hera is where eleven women representing the Vestal Virgins start the fire that ultimately becomes the flame at the Olympics. The modern Olympic Games began in Athens in 1896 and have continued, with a few exceptions, every four years. Many aspects of the Olympics have been altered over the years in response to the economic, political and technological pressures of the time.