Opinion

Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008

Editorial: Olympic spirit shines in Creston

Equestrian Gina Miles, who was inspired as a teen by the ‘84 Games, wins silver in China

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Creston resident Gina Miles wasn’t counting on coming home from China with an Olympic medal; her goal was to place in the top 25 in equestrian eventing. As we know now, she accomplished all that and more in the equestrian competition held in Hong Kong.

Gina, a 34-year-old mother of two, will return from the Games with a silver medal in eventing, a multistage equestrian contest that includes three riding disciplines: dressage, cross country and show jumping.

We congratulate Gina on an awesome achievement that already is earning her kudos throughout the equestrian world. Of course, Gina wasn’t alone in her victory. McKinlaigh, a 14-year-old Irish sport horse, was an indispensable member of the medal-winning team.

We also offer congratulations to Gina’s other team members — the sponsors and supporters, family and friends, vets and trainers who were key to making her success possible.

As with all Olympians, Gina’s trip to the medal winners’ podium was the culmination of decades of dreams, determination and hard work.

One big source of inspiration was a trip to the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984, where she viewed the equestrian events.

“I thought it looked like the coolest thing ever,” Gina told Tribune reporter Leah Etling last spring.

Now it’s Gina’s turn to inspire the next generation of young equestrians with her—and McKinlaigh’s — prize-winning performance.

Congratulations, Gina, for bringing home the silver.

A salute to county’s other Olympians

Gina Miles is the first San Luis Obispo County resident to win a medal at the Beijing Games, but she may not be the last. Other Olympic athletes with county ties are:

• Discus thrower Stephanie Brown Trafton, an Arroyo Grande High School and Cal Poly graduate;

• High jumper Sharon Day, a Cal Poly graduate;

• Soccer goalie Chris Seitz, San Luis Obispo resident (alas, his squad got eliminated Wednesday);

• Water polo player Jeff Powers, a San Luis Obispo High School graduate and San Luis Obispo resident;

• Baseball player Jimmy Van Ostrand, former Hancock College and Cal Poly star, playing for Canada; and

• Swimmer Ginny Farmer, another SLO High grad, swimming for American Samoa.

Theirs may not be household names across the nation— at least not yet—but we want these athletes to know how much they mean to our community.

They are, first and foremost, outstanding examples for the thousands of young San Luis Obispo County athletes competing in youth sports programs, as well as in our middle schools, high schools and colleges. They also showcase the breadth and quality of the sports programs available here, as well as the commitment of local citizens who provide the behind-the-scenes support.

We wish all our local Olympians congratulations and continued success.