**UPDATE!!** Shortly after I added this blog post, I received an invitation to travel to the London Games as a spare. I’m thrilled… even if I can’t race, I’m excited and honored to support my teammates/best friends in their Olympic preparations. The Dream lives on! Go Team USA!
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Last Thursday, I had the chance to finally punch my ticket to London: all I had to do was finish first in the pair at the USRowing Olympic Trials. We had won the “race for lanes” by several seconds on Tuesday, so we knew we had the fitness and strength to pull out another win. We were strong, we were ready, we were in the best shape our lives. During our warmup, we knew it was going to be a tough race, but we were confident in our ability to push through the pain.
All we had to do was win… and we lost.
What do you do when your best isn’t good enough? I keep on replaying our race in my mind, trying to find that one moment that made the difference, or that single stroke that might’ve boosted our momentum. I think back on all my work in the last few months… maybe I should’ve rested more, or done more sprint work, or lost more weight, or met with the sports psychologist. Maybe I’m in a two week funk. Maybe I never actually recovered from the car accident. Or maybe I just choked. Woulda, shoulda, coulda… on the one day that mattered, that was the day I faltered, and now another crew is going to London. Kudos to Sarah and Sara— they absolutely raced like champions at Trials. If they bring that relentless mentality to London, they will definitely be a force to be reckoned with.
The official US Olympic roster should be published this evening, there isn’t a single crew in the world who can match the American squad for strength, athleticism, and heart. It’s been an honor to train alongside these women, and I’m proud to call them my teammates. Look out World, here come the Americans.
Thank you to everyone who has cheered for me over the last few years: this is a community effort, and I absolutely could not have made it this far without all your encouragement and support! I’m so so so sorry I couldn’t pull it through for you in the end…
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On a [slightly] happier note, even though my Olympic dream might be over, a different life-long dream was realized last week: namely, to appear in the New York Times. Check out the NYTimes’ coverage of our world record-setting race in Lucerne (I’m not mentioned by name, but I’ll take what I can get…)
The New York Times also published a cool article about rowing in the 6th Floor Blog, in conjunction with the *awesome* photography published in the NYT Magazine.
You always were and continue to be awesome in every way, Jamie.
Jamie, you’ve done your best, no regrets and no ‘what-if’s’. I love you and I am proud to have rowed all those months with you. Keep your head up because you are still a champion.
Susan
We are all so so proud of you and all your accomplishments. You do and will still inspire me Jamie! Love you and your amazing attitude, this is just the beginning I’m sure!
You are such an inspiration and I’m so incredibly proud of you. Chin up, my friend…life is a lovely journey and this is just one little bump. Sending superhugs and lots of love!
Jamie, I’m thoroughly impressed by your strength and ambitiousness. Doing your best is all you can do, and even if a ticket to London isn’t in the cards this summer, I’m sure there are bigger and better goals you have to conquer in the future. Congratulations on a fight well-fought and experiences others can only dream of! You’re still amazing in my book!
Jamie, as you have done all your life- you did your best! I am proud of you.
Nancy Avery
Jamie, i was sad to hear the news, but not for any reason but how disappointed you must be after all the years of training and the extra efforts you made after the stupid car wreck. Sometimes one just gets unlucky. You are such a hero and it has been so fun to say i know a world champion. Whatever is next for you will be fun, challenging and wonderful. Chin up–we all love you!!
Jamie, all of your hard work and accomplishments are incredible. Over the past few years of training you’ve done nothing but make yourself a stronger, more impressive, and more inspiring woman. That will put you in great stead for the future, no matter what. I hope you’ll continue to hold your head high. You’re very will equipped for whatever you decide to pursue next. I hope you’ll visit NYC soon!
Nothing but strong admiration for a STRONG woman. Love from the Strongs
Jamie, you are an amazing athlete as well as an inspiration. The dedication and committment you have given to the sport on the road to the Olymics will carry over to your future endeavors. We are so proud of what you have accomplished and send you our love and cheers for doing what no one else in the family has ever done! Thank you for taking us with you on your journey.
Jane & Alden
THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your encouragement!! It is all your kind words and cheerful messages that give me my daily inspiration.
Jamie, What an amazing life you lead! We are so proud of all that you have accomplished in such a short time! Don’t look back….your journey is not over! A very beautifully written reflection! Enjoy the time in London and look forward to what is ahead and what hasn’t been revealed!
All us Momany’s
JAMIE you are and always have been an inspirational athlete to all us younger generations at YWC. the way you always lead the runs, the ergs, and managed to keep a happy face when EVERYONE else was griping about something is a skill worth more than any accolade, award, or anything else. I’m so honored and proud to have been your teammate and have no doubt you will CONTINUE to do incredible things!
Jamie –
You gave this opportunity your best shot and we are sooooo proud of your many many accomplishments. Hold your head high and know you have inspired many people.
Barb and Tom
Jamie,
You are an inspiration & champ to us & have been even long before you entered the ranks of elite athletics! We too are thrilled you will be a “spare” in London.
Love,
Rosemary & Frank
My heart left my body when I read your post. You are an exceptional athlete and an inspiration to women young and “not so young”. I am the mother of a light weight woman rower who will begin her Olympic cycle in the fall. I think of all she has already accomplished and think of all the challenges yet to come. It is because of women like you she has the drive to “go for it”! Never forget what you have done and be proud of every hour, minute and second you spent getting there. I hope with all my heart you will use your experience to benefit other athletes and help them navigate through the experience. It’s not your best wasn’t good enough, it’s the system that isn’t good enough. Help change the process! You go girl!
Jamie~
Your dedication to your training, and support for your team and teammates has been amazing to follow over the past four years. If there is anyone who deserves to be present at this competition it is you! Your efforts at overcoming the effects of the accident were incredible–You truly are an inspiration to us, and will continue to give hope to others long into the future.
We are behind you all the way–“Keep Clam” and Look out London!
Go Team Jamie!!
Love~
Kathi and Sam
Jamie you will always be a real inspiration to me. I will never forget the energy and positivity you brought to every session at YWC. You are an incredible athlete, a kind and caring teammate and beautiful friend. You always set such a great example and went above and beyond to encourage and support everyone. I admire your strength and dedication. You truly are amazing!
Jamie,
so glad the Olympic Committee had the wisdom to realize they needed you on the team. Your contribution, even as a spare, will be essential to the overall success of team USA. You have been on an incredible journey and I am thrilled for you that it will continue on into London. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. You have been and continue to be a true inspiration. Love you. Aunt Donna & Uncle Dan
Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become, the hours of practice, the coaches who pushed you, and the family, friends, and fans who cheered for you, is the little girl who fell in love with the sport years ago and never looked back no matter how many ups and downs there were over the years. We know the last three weeks were hard but in the final hour you get to live a dream only a select group of talented athletes get to do so enjoy every moment of London.
Over the past four years you have become a part of our family. We are so blessed to have you come into our lives and are proud to be your East Coast parents. As your journey in your life will be coming to an end in Princeton to start the next chapter it will be hard as parents to say goodbye to you and send Tyler to college at the same time. Always remember we are here for you and we are so very proud of the young woman you have grow to be.
Enjoy the games of the XXX Olympiad!
Jamie, the way you are handling this disappointment is a beautiful example for all of us. Your dedication and spirit are awe inspiring! We love you, Don & Linden
Through your words shows the true spirit of the game as Pierre de Coubertin wanted them. It’s participating that counts not winning and for sure your spirit and soul will be very essential to all the team. Over here we all know that you’re a beautiful person and the living proof that beauty comes from within. We love you.
Now we’re all googling wise “Pierre”. I’m sure he’s a Bozonnet ancestor!
Vive la France! “L’important dans la vie ce n’est point le triomphe, mais le combat, l’essentiel ce n’est pas d’avoir vaincu mais de s’être bien battu.”
Translation:
The important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle, the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.
You epitomize these values, Jamie.
Bravest thing I’ve read in a long time.
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