·
Three Olympic medals
·
Two European Champions Cups with
Vouliagmeni Nautical Club
·
One National League title with Flamengo
in Rio de Janiero Brazil
·
Three Pan American Games titles
·
Two World Championship titles
 |
| Heather looking to pass |
You’d think after a while it would just be a job…and
she would be blasé about competing in her fourth Olympics. Not Heather. She
actually got goose bumps while I was talking to her—while sharing her memories
of the Games in Sydney. She still feels that first time competing in the Olympics excitement.
The goose bumps came back at the end of our conversation, while she was talking about how fortunate she is to do what she loves and give back by participating in Swim Across America, which raises money and awareness for cancer research.
Both speak volumes on Heather’s grace and dignity and what she stands for.
After reading our conversation, I know all of you will be standing with me and cheering loudly for her in a few weeks in London and well beyond.
PJ:
Three Olympics, three medals. That’s an incredible feat. Which one means the
most to you?
Heather: Yes, it’s been a bonus…a blessing to return
home with medals from the Games I’ve competed in. Each represent a different
story and I was a different person as part of those teams. It is a snapshot of
me when I was on those teams. All are so different. I think the first one had
the biggest impact. The Sydney experience, whether we won or not would’ve been
great. I was so new when I joined the team in January and the Olympics were in
August. I had never played international water polo. I tell people it’s like I
was on a fast, high-speed train speeding past and my eyes were like saucers,
wide open, pressed against the windows. I loved every second. When I look back it’s
all memories of joy…so incredible.
PJ:
What is it like to compete in the Olympics? We at home stop everything to
watch. Even people who typically aren’t sports fans are Olympics fans.
Heather: I get chills just thinking about it. For
two weeks the way you feel about the Olympics is how I feel about it every day.
When I wake up, do a swim set, etc., I keep my goals in my mind and use that
feeling to keep me motivated and keep it fun. It’s the same feeling you have
for two weeks, I harness it every day. To go to one Olympics is incredible, two
is…well…four is a dream, a blessing.
 |
| Heather Petri. |
PJ:
What are your goals this time around?
Heather: It may be cliché, but we have a gold medal
in mind. We have the confidence leading up to the Games to think we can do it.
Our team is talented. We have the right mix for our team with youth and
veterans. The right chemistry and we are supportive of each other. We’ve had
adversity. We placed sixth in the World Championships. We’ve had our struggles,
but we’ve worked through them and are tighter as a team. Our goal is to play four consistent quarters. Good teams play one good quarter. If we can sustain this immediate goal and a team beats us with another four good quarters, then it’s a good match. If we can do that, put together four good quarters, we are capable of anything.
PJ:
I know that philanthropy is important to you. You have been involved with three
organizations up to this point, including Right to Play, and are looking to do
more.
Heather: Yes, training is so full-on right now, that
it’s hard to coordinate dates—to really get into it. I am excited…I have a lot
of ideas. I want to continue this in my life, whether I get a job with the [Right
to Play] or another organization. It’s inspiring to think about.
PJ:
You are an ambassador for Right to Play. Tell me about the organization and
what you do.
Heather: I met other Right to Play ambassadors at
the Olympics in 2004. It wasn’t until after 2008 that I got involved. They had
a booth in the Olympic Village so we could all learn about it. I met the founder,
Johann [Olav Koss], who is an inspiring man. It’s so simple…every child should
be able to play. What I love the most is that we get to play. When I look at my
life, my parents supported me in all the sports I tried. If they hadn’t, my
life could be different. We almost moved to Colorado and I think what path my life would have taken if we moved?
I’d be a different person.
So far, what I’ve done is help Johann and others in
the organization with donors and kids/parents to show what Right to Play does,
and where the money goes. I understand how it’s helped me in America, and
people around the world have so much less than we do.
Besides building play areas, they focus on longevity
in sports. They pick team leaders, who learn simple games like ball toss and
also teach life skills, communication skills, hygiene, conflict resolution,
etc. Kids want to play, but don’t realize they are learning until later. The
team leaders are part of the community to ensure this lasts. Some organizations
do temporary fixes; this organization leaves a lasting impression.
I met a team leader from Uganda. It was so cool. She
taught two tribes of little boys. Every Tuesday they would come to play. When
they had a war, it was the boys who helped the parents solve their problems.
OMG! I can do something so small and it can lead to that…that is special!
PJ:
You are also involved with Athletes for Hope.
Heather: Yes, this organization was founded by Mia
Hamm and other athletes [Andre Agassi, Andrea Jaeger, Jeff Gordon, Lance
Armstrong, Mohammed Ali, Tony Hawk, Mario Lemieux, Alonzo Mourning, Cal Ripken,
Jr., Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Warrick Dunn]. It is a community-based volunteer
program for athletes. You can tell them when you are available and they will
help you search options. I used them to work at a food bank and hospitals where
I visited cancer patients. They understand the life of an athlete. For them to
do this is cool.
PJ:
Tell me about Swim Across America.
Heather: As the name says…they organize swims across
America and the proceeds go to cancer charities. When I was a kid, my aunt had
a double mastectomy and needed bone marrow. When I saw this I knew I wanted to
give back. There is a swim in the Bay Area on Sept. 29. A ferry drops you off
at the Golden Gate Bridge and you swim to Chrissy Field—about a
mile-and-a-half. It’s so inspiring. Last time I did this with my friends and we
swam as water polo. We brought a ball with us and wrote names of all the people
we were swimming for. On the ferry we passed the ball around and others signed
names—I’m getting chills! It’s amazing to see how many people you can touch.
One friend got up and said…I’m swimming
because I can. It is so simple. I’ll always remember that. There are people
who can no longer do what they want to do…I can do this. It’s a cool way for me
to do what I love and give back!
