She is a three-time national junior champion in racewalking, and also was a champion at the Junior Pan American meet last year. She'll definitely be the focus of attention in Sacramento. Stevens is the featured athlete in the program and she'll also lead the athletes on to the track and recite the Olympic oath. For those unfamiliar with racewalking, the sport made its Olympic debut at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney. Unlike in traditional foot races, competitors have to have one foot on the ground at all times and land with a straight leg.
Judges watch videotape of every athlete closely to make sure they comply with the regulations.
Stevens was first introduced to the burgeoning sport six years ago by local club coach Claudia Wilde as a cross training routine for cross country and track. She began training with Wilde and the Westwind Flyers track club when she was in the eighth grade. She though it was a lot of fun to walk. What started out as a hobby of sorts has now become an all-consuming passion for Stevens. I'm shooting for the 2004 Olympics.