Is there any kind of compilation of such personal Olympic moments somewhere on the Internet that attests to the value of the many thousands of local people who volunteered in support of that effort, especially that highlight that the community is one that is at home in a milieu of real talent (athletic and musical and organizational) and international and intercultural relationships? (For example, I remember reading that Jacques Rogge, the International Olympic Committee President, was surprised at how many people he ran into who spoke Dutch, which is not spoken much outside the Netherlands, Belgium, and Indonesia.)

The Olympics demonstrated this, and we should not let the world, nor ourselves, forget it, in the face of the constant criticisms and attacks leveled at Utahns and Mormons about being unintelligent, uneducated racist yokels who don’t deserve respect as Christians or as full citizens of America or the world.

I ran and got the paramedics at a nearby aid station and then was able to provide translation services for them (having served a mission in Japan). I remember the paramedics were a little excited to be seeing some action (I can hardly blame them) and were starting to go a little overboard on the intake questions. I suggested that they might take down her race number and get a lot of that information later – “since it is the Olympics after all, and she just lost her shot at it, and is pretty busted-up.” They quickly agreed, and drove her back via snowmobile. Both paramedics remarked how having a translator made a huge difference in doing their job right.

And yes, I am ridiculously proud of my small “Olympic moment.” But what are we here for, if not to enjoy our small moments?

I really hope that her name is Gabriela Andersen-Schiess. (Just googled it–it is.)

Believe me, nobody from a German-speaking country would want the surname Scheiss.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/events/1996/olympics/daily/july22/flashback.html