I can’t thank all of you enough! I have read all your emails and comments and they bring more tears to my eyes than losing the gold last night.

It was so difficult to work so hard and come this close to the gold medal and miss out! I set up the perfect race, ran 23.57 to the 200m and 35.6 to 300,which is where I always like to be to run 49.2 or better. I went for it and came up short. Some say I went out too hard and that is a bit frustrating. I have the best 200m PR in the field and I always go out harder than everyone else. It’s ironic that what people praise me for when I win, they crucify me for when I lose. I felt a cramp in my hamstring coming off the turn and although I had a decisive lead I was too far away to hold them off. I have never made any excuses for a loss, I’ve always taken them in stride, however this is not an excuse it’s just the fact!

I appreciate all the letters and comments I’ve received and although I was down for a while I am better now and I will continue to work hard and persevere until I fulfill my dreams. Thank you so much for believing in me an the best is yet to come….

“Success is a journey, not a destination.”-profound words of Jeannette Bolden after my loss. (not her original quote)

The Primary Focus of the Fun 4 Kidz - Sanya Richards Fast Track Program is to enhance literacy as well as readiness for standardized test; promote an active and healthy lifestyle; enhance social skills with regards to professionalism and employability (secondary students).

For the first year, 55 Children from Kingston High School were served for a total of 8 weeks, 3 days per week, 2 hours per day. As a part of the program, Fun 4 Kidz provided reading materials, basketball hoops, soccer goals, soccer balls, basketballs, and cones for student use.

As we look towards the future, thanks to our incredible data from year one, Fun 4 Kidz intends to expand the Sanya Richards Fast Track Program to once again include Kingston High School and add John Mills Primary. Each school will contribute 75 children for a total of 150 students in the program. The program will last for 24 weeks, meeting 2 days per week for 2 hours per day. The same program format will be used with a stronger focus on phonics and reading comprehension. Sports activities will begin with Track and Field, and cover soccer, baseball/cricket, and basketball.   

Training in Dalian

It doesn’t get much better than this. I am currently in Dalian, about an hour away from Beijing by plane, and it is incredible to say the least! I am so fortunate to be apart of a federation that would go to these lengths to help give all their athletes a clean, safe, and relaxing environment to prepare for the start of the Games.

I have been here since the 2^nd and I have been able to enjoy all the amenities of this beautiful facility. There are three different tracks for us to train on, one for sprinters and jumpers, one designed specifically for the throwers, and a horse-shoe track for the distance runners. All these facilities were built within the last six months just for us. Although that is unbelievable what is even more incredible is the 2000 security men and women looking after us. We never make a move without someone there. It is unreal how extensive the security is, almost like a human fence set up to keep us safe. As we drive back and forth from the track, there is a man or woman, some uniformed others not, standing almost every 100 meters along the road side. Along with their physical protection, we are escorted by police, as they shut down the roads while we travel from each point. There are also armed men set up on building tops at the track and around the hotel at all times. It is a major operation! A lot of people, especially the residents of the city, have made tons of sacrifices to have us here and we all greatly appreciate it.

Other amenities include a bowling alley in our hotel, a 60-seat movie room, ping-pong tables, pool tables, an athlete lounge area, a sauna, salon, and more. All these things really give us a chance to bond and feel like a family. It’s always so much fun to be a part of the USA Team! You meet amazing new people, you cheer for each other in practice, and you become invested in everyone’s journey to success. I think it’s one of the best parts of track and field and I am honored to be an Olympian!

My training has been going really well and I am so eager to get started. As I write this entry, it is already August 7^th  here in China, just one more day until Opening Ceremonies. I opted not to go to the Opening Ceremonies this year, after participating in 2004. It is one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had but it just makes more sense for me to stay here and continue to train and head over to Beijing only one time, on the 11^th, a few days before my preliminary round.

Stay tuned……

Hey guys,
I’m sorry I haven’t posted anything in a while!

Ever since I’ve put up this section and been in a few more publications I have gotten so many emails from others that suffer with this illness and just encouraging letters from others that don’t. It’s overwhelming to say the least!

I’m very proud to say that one of my sponsors, Coca Cola, has volunteered to help the ABDA by sending some cool products to be auctioned off. I can’t explain how much that means to me, and I sincerely hope that we can get more awareness and more help to aid us fight against this terrible disease. 

I do believe with adequate resources and knowledge we can conquer Behcets and I plan to do my part to help.

Please feel free to write me at runwithsanya@sanyarichards.net with any specific questions or post on this board anytime.This is our corner…….

Until next time
San
PS My races are on the 16th, 17th and 19th!!! Keep your fingers crossed