Remarkable Athletes

While perusing the recent news, I came across stories of two remarkable athletes that deserved more attention. First up is Jamie Nared, a twelve-year-old basketball player in Oregon. At 6’ tall, Jamie has amazing skill and maturity that is admired by many. Scoring 30 points in a game is a common occurrence for this budding star that comes from a basketball pedigree. Jamie’s father played for Maryland in college and older sister Jackie has been a leading scorer at Westview High School in Beaverton, Oregon. Jackie will follow in her father’s footsteps and attend Maryland on a basketball scholarship.

Jamie made headlines when she was recently kicked out of her basketball league. Although her coach claims that she is one of the most gifted players he has ever seen, he is unable to allow her to play. Jamie has played for the last year in an all-boys league. A Spokesperson for The Hoop claims that having her play is breaking the rules. The league is only open to boys and there were complaints from parents and other players that they did not want to be in a coed league. Everyone opposing her presence claims that it has nothing to do with the fact that she is one of the best players on the court. In fact, they adamantly and fervently state that it is only because of the rule. I bet.


Another remarkable athlete is Oscar Pistorius from South Africa. Born without fibulas, both legs were amputated below the knees when he was only eleven months old. He took up running when he was a teen, made possible by special prosthetics.

Earlier this year, he was denied the chance to try out for the Olympics because of the prosthetic legs. It was ruled that they gave him too much of an advantage. After appeals, he was granted the opportunity to try out for the Olympic team. Oscar already holds the Paralympic world record for the 400-meter event with a time of 46.56 and needs to make 45.55 to qualify for Olympic competition. Regardless of the outcome, he plans on participating in the Paralympic Games in Beijing this year.


Today in Sports History

1972 - Tottenham Hotspur win the first UEFA Cup. The Spurs defeated the Wolverhampton Wanderers in the match. Both teams have rich tradition and history and the Spurs had won the Football League Cup in the previous year and many FA Cups as well.