The story of Jennifer Nichols, top female archer of the US Olympic team, is one of childhood pastime turned into blossoming career. Jennifer started shooting archery at the age of nine in her family's backyard. Her father bought her the first bow from Wal-Mart as a Christmas gift.
"My dad thought archery an activity for our whole family to do together that would be fun. When I was 12 years old, my dad began to teach me how to shoot along with my brothers and sisters."
The pleasure and excitement of this family sport led her to decide to be trained as a professional archer. Today, Jennifer is the top ranked archer in the US and among the top 15 archers worldwide. However, this has by no means been an easy or lucrative pursuit.
"It is out of my passion instead of money that I decided to do this. I do want to continue to compete and stay in the sport as long as I can."sid Jennifer. Over the years, she has also been sustained by the unreserved support from her family.
"I'm the oldest child of five kids. They have been incredibly supportive. My family is my biggest support system. My parents just provided every opportunity that they could for me when I was growing up to, whatever interest that I have, to further in that."
There has been another interest that she has been devoted to for even longer than archery. A dancer since the age of three, she has been ever passionate about many styles of dance and considers dancing her secret tip for masterful archery. Ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and Irish step dance all helped sharpen her skills and made her enjoy the competitions to the fullest.
"I think it taught me coordination, balance and a lot of body awareness so I'm able to make corrections in my technique a lot quicker, because I had training in dance. More than anything, I think that dance taught me how to perform. When I am on the archery field, I feel that it's my time on the stage to perform. And I love performing. So it's really something that is closely connected to my heart."
Her heart was set on Beijing the moment she saw a seven-minute video at Disney Land featuring tour of China. "It was far too short to take in a great country but it looked absolutely beautiful and it just really inspired me to be able to compete to I can have the privilege to come to China."
This has been her second trip to Beijing after the Olympic trial event in last August. She was amazed by how greatly the city has changed in one year.
"The only thing that looks familiar to me is the archery field from last year. Beijing is so big to me that I can't see anything familiar. The airport that I noticed looks so much cleaner, and more beautiful, and well improved since I was here last year. I think it's ready to welcome visitors for the Olympic Games. But the city itself, I was in awe last time I came and this time it's like a new experience again."
Jennifer's first performance at the Olympics was in Athens in 2004. Out of 64 competitors, she ended up in the 9th place. Looking at the upcoming Olympics, Jennifer told China Daily, "My goal this year is to do my best, and to enjoy the competition. And we will see what happens."
For the moment, she feels more excitement than anxiety.
"I'm very excited about it. There's always times where you feel maybe you can become nervous. You turn those nervous feeling then to excitement. That makes a very positive approach to the competition.
Few Olympians speak Georgian, Russian, and English. Even fewer Olympians have had the rare honor of representing three countries in four Olympics. These achievements marked the 22-year career of Kahtuna Lorig, female archer of the US team. Kahtuna won a bronze medal for the former Soviet Union at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. She then represented Georgia at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. For her fourth Olympics in Beijing, she will compete for the US Olympic team. This is unlikely to be her last Olympics.
"It's a sport that you can do for all your life. And don't have to get retired unless you want to.. As long as you can shoot the gold, you will be in the team."
A second-time visitor to Beijing as Jennifer Nichols, Kahtuna is in love with the city and its people.
"I love Beijing, it's so beautiful. They did so great job, unbelievable. Everything is just gorgeous. I think this is gonna be the best Olympics that I've ever been. Village, and service, and everything. China is a great host. So far A+."
This time Kahtuna had the opportunity to experience the city and hunt for good deals on her favorite Chinese pearls.
"Yeah, actually we went around, we went to shopping for pearls. They are very nice. Yeah, I tried to get a good deal.. I bought pearl necklaces for my parents. I love pearls. It was a one huge market indoors. I think it is near the Temple of Heaven. I have their business card. I am usually just kinda smiling."
To the first-time Olympians, Kahtuna has the following message. "I only would like to let them know that this is the best Olympics that I've ever had, because I know and I've been there. I appreciate all the things I just enjoy and it will be a good memory."
A big fan of Jackie Chan's action movies, Kahtuna is poised to embark on her Olympic adventure in China.