Third Time is a Charm

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Sheila Taormina (pronounced Tar-meena), 39, is already making history even before competing at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing for which she has qualified in pentathlon. She is the only woman in Olympic history to qualify for the Olympic Games in three different sports. In 1996, she competed as a swimmer winning a gold medal in the 800m freestyle relay. Then in 2000 (6th place finish) and 2004 (23rd place), she competed in triathlon. Now, in 2008, she will compete in the unique sport of pentathlon that is comprised of five disciplines: running, swimming, shooting, fencing and equestrian.

If Taormina wins gold—and many are feeling strongly that she will—she’ll be the first Olympian to have won a gold medal in two different sports.

I caught up with Taormina recently for a quick chat about how she’s feeling going in to her fourth Olympics.

Heaton: What went through your mind when you found out you had qualified to go to another Olympics in yet another sport?

Taormina: I live in Michigan, so when I thought about trying to qualify, I started to focus on the main things I had to do in the winter time in the Detroit area in 20-degree weather. It was really key for me to stay on the horse as much as possible. I kept thinking I would freeze, but I wouldn’t miss a workout. How do you make a team? You don’t back off. I have so much to learn in the three new skill sports and the riding was the key for me to qualify. If I didn’t screw up on the horse, I knew I would make it.

RH: Of the three skill sports (shooting, fencing, equestrian), which has been the most challenging to learn?

ST: I had never held a gun before I started competing in pentathlon. Right now, I’ve just been practicing my shooting in the garage under no pressure. But when you add in the competition anxiety, and knowing it was Olympics time, I’ve had to do a lot of meditation to try and quiet my mind. Shooting is going to bring a lot of anxiety. So I’ve been trying to figure out some of things I can do to combat this. Do I have enough time to get whole meditation technique down? It’s always a big question. But all three skills are very challenging. Fencing is so challenging because it’s not a muscle memory sport compared to something like biking. In fencing there’s another human on the strip trying to thwart everything you do. You can’t train an action, and they’re going to try and prevent you. The horse, it’s kind of obvious you’re working with a 1,200-pound animal that has a mind of its own.

RH: Are you approaching this Olympics any differently than the others?

ST: Your first Olympics is always special. It’s was pretty much what I thought it was going to be. My second two I started to learn how important the medal count was and that it’s really valued by sponsors. It lost it’s magic a bit. In 2000 [Atlanta], we had a classic women’s team and it was such an honor to race with them. But by Athens, I was feeling pressure to really perform because I’d won a World Championship. There’s so many athletes that survive on that. But I’m a big fan of the Olympics, I think it’s cool to win.  So this Olympics, I’m just going to try and capture the sport and the human endeavor of being there. I’m determined to do that, but it’s hard. The older you get, you see what the world is about.

RH: What is your family thinking about you qualifying for yet another Olympics? And will they all be there in Beijing to support you?

ST: My dad is 85, my mom is 81 and yhey’re still together. I’m the youngest of eight kids and one of my siblings passed away years back. So I think I learned a lot about sticking it through, particularly through all the stuff that can happen when you lose someone close to you. I get a lot of my emotional family support from everyone. At past Olympics, we’ve normally had everyone go. But this one is so expensive, it’s difficult with visas. So my mom and dad, and then one sister and my two twin brothers will be in Beijing.

RH: What are your favorite training foods?

ST: Coffee. I’m a big fan. My morning cup is the most exciting part of the day for happiness and life. I’m a big meat eater, I love protein. Well, I really I love everything. Sometimes my breakfast will be raw veggies and Triscuits as I drive to the pool. They won’t fill you up and make you feel heavy. Back in my tri days on long rides, we’d stop and get a chile dog. That was my thing. It just absorbs right in. I really like chips, too, as I’m a more salty person. I don’t do any fat free stuff.

RH: Do you have a separate coach for each of the five disciplines you’re training in?

ST: Our pentathlon team head coach in Janusz Peciak in Colorado Springs. When I moved home to Michigan, my triathlon coach has been my main advisor. I run with him. He puts up my whole program. I also have a riding coach and another for fencing. Shooting is very methodical so don’t have a coach. With all of my coaches, it’s like a whole new of family. It’s a lot of thank you gifts every year. 

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