Let's go back to Berlin. Olympic middle distance runner Glenn Cunningham was voted "Most Popular Athlete" by his fellow Olympians, finishing just ahead of Jesse Owens - they were roommates in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. It sounds like a great tandem that almost didn't happen...

Someone made a huge mistake. They put gasoline instead of kerosene in the can at Glenn's schoolhouse by accident when he was eight and his brother Floyd was thirteen. Floyd died nine days after the fire. His legs were so badly burnt (lost 6 toes) that the doctors were recommended amputation. His parent's vetoed that idea after Glenn vowed to walk again. Still, the doctors predicted that he would never walk again! But don't count out anyone that still has a breath of life in them after such an event.

Overcoming tragedies can take time. It took him two years just to be able to walk again! He had to endure the pain like daggers stabbing his legs. This was accomplished by great determination, 2 hours a day of new therapy, a positive attitude and incredible support from his mom and sister who would treat and massage his legs daily. Then he figured out that he would experience less pain if he ran. A few years later, he ran his first race and beat older kids. A decade later, he finished fourth in a 1500 Meter race - it was the Olympics. Four years later in Berlin, he captured the silver medal.

He set the world record in the Mile twice (best was 4:04.4) and once in the 800M.

I will also strongly lobby for Glen's mom and sister to be on my team, because of their faith in Glenn and incredible sacrificial support in what is arguably the biggest rehabilitation comeback of all time!