Taormina Given Jim Thorpe Award

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, April 16. SHEILA Taormina, a three-time Olympian who is seeking to compete in a fourth Games in a third sport, has been presented with the United States Sports Academy Jim Thorpe All-Around Award. Taormina is attempting to qualify for the Beijing Olympics in the Modern Pentathlon, which consists of shooting, fencing, swimming, equestrian and running.

A U.S. Olympian in swimming in 1996 and an Olympian in 2000 and 2004 in the triathlon, Taormina is the top modern pentathlete in America, having won the U.S. national championship last year. Taormina won gold at the 1996 Olympics as a member of the 800 freestyle relay and finished sixth and 23rd in the triathlon during her Olympic stints in that sport.

"It is a huge honor to win the Jim Thorpe sports award," said Taormina. "I am very appreciative to the United States Sports Academy for giving me the award this year. When the USSA forwarded me the list of past recipients I felt so honored to be in such great company."

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