Sundays at Two will feature Ray Funkhouser at 2 p.m. January 15 at the Lancaster Community Library, 16 Town Center Drive, Kilmarnock.
Funkhouser will present ”Behind the Scenes: Preparing Olympians,” a close-up view of what he has observed as a participant, coach and official for over 50 years, reported committee member Gloria Wallace.
As president of USA Track and Field Virginia until the next Olympics, Funkhouser says that “from a competition perspective, the experience can be more dramatic than the Olympic experience itself.”
Along with the athletes’ physical and mental dedication to reaching that goal, their challenges can include financial sacrifices. Also, American women have an especially high hurdle to making the team because of the level of competition in the U.S.
Funkhouser will provide fascinating stories of how dedicated amateur athletes progress through head-to-head national competition to become Olympic athletes and then go on to compete for the honor of being first among peers from around the world.
Following the talk, there will be an opportunity for questions, along with refreshments.
The series will continue on January 29, when Dr. Jeff Stern will present “Are You Ready for a Disaster?”
