ACOG - News - IBM

(19 July 1996)

Olympic Kayak Sprinter Found "Inspiration" from Legend

Cliff MEIDL should not be competing in the Olympic Games. In fact, according to many, MEIDL should not even be alive. But MEIDL is alive and just one month before the start of the Olympic Games left behind his status as an alternate and was named a member of the United States' K4 1000m team.

"I couldn't believe it, I thought it was a dream," said MEIDL about making the team. "It is a miracle that I am here."

Miracle indeed. Ten years ago, the then 20-year-old MEIDL was electrocuted in a construction accident resulting in severe burns over his body. One-third of both his left and right knee joints were burned, leaving MEIDL to face the reality he would never walk again. MEIDL undewent surgery at UCLA to, "save his legs", surgery that would leave the young man confined to a wheelchair for life. But that fate never became reality for the athlete.

"I went through a lot of physical therapy," said MEIDL. "But it just took a lot of will and determination." While the former scoccer fanatic was told he could not participate in any sports that required running, MEIDL found another outlet for his competitive nature.

"I watched Greg Barton compete in 1988 and I knew that is what I wanted to do, get in a boat and go fast" said MEIDL. "He was a major inspiration for me to start. He is a role model for me."

While the United States's is not expected to medal in the K-4 1000m event, MEIDL, like the rest of his teammates is ready for a taste of his first Olympic competition.

"I am hungry for a medal," said MEIDL. "Our ultimate goal is to medal."

The sprint canoe/kayak events are set to begin on Tuesday, July 30, at Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Ga. The 12 medal event competition will host 350 athletes from 42 countries. Men will compete in nine sprint events and the women in will race three kayak events.

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by M. Lynne Bragg.



Olympic Factoid
Closing Ceremony of the 1996 Games involved a crew of 2,100 who worked with more than 3,500 performers as well as thousands of athletes who celebrated on the field of Olympic Stadium.