Publisher's Synopsis
Heroes in Our Midst is a collection of 110 personal stories from top Canadian athletes. Every contribution is a story, with something inspiring, heartbreaking, funny, or fascinating to say.
Runner Ray Lewis remembers the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, where he was treated like a star and Hollywood legends like Gary Cooper wanted his autograph. When he returned to Canada, the medal-winning hero couldn’t find a job, because he was black. Triathlete Sharon Donnelly tells us in awful detail what it was like to take her fall in Sydney. Bruised and bloodied, the Canadian favourite found the strength to get to her feet and continue the race. She crossed the finish line almost in last place, but she did it in triumph. And beach volleyball players John Child and Mark Heese give a side-splitting account of their secret weapon. When they were competing in Brazil, a swarm of bees, attracted by their opponents’ uniform, went on the offensive. The team never recovered their composure, and the Canadians won the day.
Contributors range in age from 15 (diver Alexandre Despatie) to 90 (runner Ray Lewis). Sharing their personal stories are Gaetan Boucher, Charmaine Crooks, Sylvie Fréchette, Curtis Hibbard, Daniel Igali, Curtis Joseph, Silken Laumann, Marnie McBean, Elaine Tanner, Mark Tewksbury, and Debbie Wilkes. The variety of stories is truly amazing, and every one has the power to inspire or delight.
