Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 25, 1990 TAG: 9005250166
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRISTINA A. SAMUELS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Meyer, a champion swimmer and triple gold-medal winner in the 1968 Olympics, was at the YMCA of Roanoke Valley to conduct a swim clinic as a part of Rainbo Bread IronKids Program.
Meyer worked on strokes, kicking and diving for about 20 minutes with the "Fish and Flying Fish" swim class, which includes children 5 to 12 years old. Meyer rolled up her pants legs and walked alongside the pool, shouting encouragement to the young swimmers.
She was also quizzed by a 9-year-old competitive swimmer, Emily Whichard, for pointers on good foods to eat before a competition (cereals and breads) and advice on how long she should practice daily (about an hour and a half). Whichard, who said she has been competing since she was "around 4 or 5," took scrupulous notes on Meyer's comments.
"Did you ever think you were going to win at the Olympics?" Whichard asked.
"No," Meyer replied. "I didn't even know what the Olympics were until about a year and a half before."
Meyer said one Christmas she was given a stopwatch with "Mexico City - 1968" engraved on the back. "It was kind of a `ha-ha' thing." But, she said, it planted the seed. "It's kind of eerie now."
Aside from her achievements at the Olympics, Meyer has broken 20 world records and 24 American records, held five world records simultaneously and was named one of the world's top four swimmers of the 20th century. She is now the coach for the men's and women's swim teams at California State University in Sacramento.
The IronKids Program, now in its sixth year, was created to promote fitness among children. The three main components are an education program, offered free to health and physical education teachers, a "kids' club," from which kids can receive newsletters promoting physical and mental well-being, and a triathlon for children.
Roanoke, along with Albuquerque, N.M., and Fresno, Calif., is participating in the triathlon. The cycling, swimming and running competition, which is open to children ages 7 to 14, is to be held July 7 at Fallon Park. Every child who participates receives a pin, T-shirt, bicycle cap and swim cap.
Meyer said she finds children are responsive to the program in every city. "Kids love sports, and given the opportunity, they will get involved."
Teaching children good habits while they're young is important, Meyer said. "Take a 20-minute walk, go out and play tag, go for bike rides." The hardest part, Meyer said, is getting started. Meyer said she was always active as a youngster, and she and her husband involve her children in athletics and other healthy activities. "You need to teach kids good habits while they're young. . . . I don't know many toddlers who like broccoli, but my son eats it raw."
Registration forms for the triathlon are available at Roanoke sporting goods stores and YMCAs. The deadline for registration is June 29 and the cost is $10.
by CNB