Now in the second chapter of her story, Taormina travels to Sydney, Australia, at the end of August, representing the United States in the triathlon. Taormina earned her position on this year's Olympic squad after winning the women's Olympic triathlon trials in Irving, Texas, on Saturday, May 27. Triathlon, which consists of swimming, cycling and running, will make its first appearance as a medal sport at the Olympic Games in Sydney. The women's competition will be held on September 16. I was very fortunate to have coaches who know the conditions and were able to come up with solutions for my style of racing.
Cycling is always the most interesting.
A relative newcomer to triathlon competition, she appeared in her first race in October 1998 and entered her first professional triathlon in March 1999. She is coached by longtime triathlete Lew Kidder and swimming coach Greg Phill. Taormina entered the trials ranked 57th in the world at the end of 1999, just eighth-best among U.S. women. There are fewer expectations. But people also think that once you make an Olympic team in one sport that you should be able to make it in all sports, so I've really been pushed to this level.