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MY OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE
By Mr Anthony LEDGARD GRIMM (PER)
Good morning, maybe some of you already know me but for those of you who
don't, my name is Anthony Ledgard, I come from Lima — Peru (South America).
Since I was borne I was raised in a family in which everyone lived the Olympic
spirit.
My grandfather was an Olympic swimmer at Berlin 1936 and my father also
competed at the Olympic Games at Tokyo 1964 also as a swimmer.
Since I was a small kid I trained and participated in many swimming
competitions with one goal "to become an Olympic Swimmer", but for different
circumstances I finished being a cyclist.
Years of training, competitions, training camps, thousands of kilometres past.
• Bolivarian Championships
• Pan American Championships
• Pan Am Games
• Junior World Championships
• World Championships and
• Hundreds of different competition passed, until I qualified to participate
at the Olympic games.
I participated at the Olympic Games held in Barcelona 1992 as a cyclist,
competing in the 4,000 metres. Individual Pursuit.
Even though I did not won a medal I won something that has marked a very
valuable aspect on my life, being part of this marvellous family.
The traject to get to the Olympic Games are not easy, and only a few get the
chance to go.
But that experience has taught me a lot, sharing with so many people from all
over the world, from such different cultures, religions, beliefs, perspectives have
helped me become a better citizen of the world.
I am sure for those who did not have the privilege yet of participating at
Olympic Games, or will never have the possibility to do so, now you can know
and understand much more the ideas Olympism, after you stay at the academy
and experience in a very small proportion, how is life inside the Olympic village,
but with no pressure of competition.
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