An Olympic Spirit

When I was a magazine writer, Olympic champion diver Victoria Manalo Draves was hands-down one of my favorite Olympians whom I had covered.  Delightful to speak with, she had the quintessential Olympic, as well as American, story.

In 2005, I got a call from the City College of San Francisco, asking for a copy of my article because it was honoring Mrs. Draves as outstanding alumna for that spring’s graduation class.  Five years later, she passed away at the age of 85.

All afternoon, I was looking for the beautifully handwritten card she sent me after my article was published that I kept on my desk, but I guess I had stored it when other things started to clutter up the space.  She was such a gracious person, and I am honored to have had gotten to know her, even for a moment for a little ole story.