Perspective Plus discussion

Oh the Olympics. The best of the best are meeting to show the world what they can do and be held to a standard of what a person can do. I normally don't give a crud about who is doing what and where,but as of this morning and an article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, I am now going to be watching the women's weight lifting division.

Why? Because Holley Mangold of Centerville, OH will be competing. Is it because she's a fellow Ohioan? Sort of. Is it because she is a champion? Maybe. Is it because she is a plus sized athlete? Oh, yeah! Holley is 340 lbs. of weightlifting muscle. Yes, you read that correctly, 340 lbs. Holley has bounce between 300-390 lbs in her life and has played sports from soccer to football, and done well. Her football career did not take off as she was not quick on the ball, but as her training included weightlifting, she started to shine.

Holley admits that she knows it takes about 5 years in the Olympics to really take off, so she hopes to bring home the bronze now, and gold in 2016.

I have one thing to say:

YOU GO GIRL!

There was a great article on Holley today via MSN and Fox Sports.

http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/sto...

There are lots of other stories on Holley too.



I am so proud!

She's definitely going to be someone to keep an eye on!

On a related note, there was an interesting article on Yahoo today, about a variety of female Olympic athletes responding to critics who call them fat with a resounding "get over it."

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/fat-fit-...

I for one salute these ladies for representing their sports and their countries with pride, and proving that fat and fit are not mutually exclusive.

I was going to post that myself. I think that these woman really embody what this group is about, that everyone of every size and shape is a person first. These women are very gifted athletes and their size should have no bearing on their abilities.

Unfortunately, our girl Holley did not place in this years Olympics. But, she did well to be where she was and I am still proud of her. She and the other "plus" athletes including a judo team member (can't remember which country) who was 418 lbs. showed the world that larger people can do great things and with Holley's can so spirit, she just may get that gold in 4 years.

Here's to you Holley and the others who competed. Good job, and good luck on 2016!