Past Olympians Continue to be Role Models with Adoption Stories

by Pam Connell | More from this Blogger

28 Aug 2008 01:41 PM

As Olympic fever dies down, we can continue to help our children to realize the normalcy and frequency of adoption by looking at past Olympians. Learning about their lives before and since their Olympic moment reinforces to our children that these are real people. Earlier this month, I blogged about Lopez Lomong and Reese Hoffa, Olympic athletes who represented the U.S.A. in Beijing this year. They both have interesting adoption stories. More than a dozen past Olympic athletes were also adopted.

You may remember the) story of Toby Dawson, a U.S. skier who was adopted from Korea at the age of three. After he won the bronze medal in the Winter Games in Torino, Italy, in 2006, many people came forward claiming to be his birthparents. DNA testing did eventually confirm that a bus driver from Pusan, South Korea, was Toby's birth father. Dawson, who grew up with a younger brother who was also adopted from Korea, has also met a biological brother. Dawson volunteers at the Korean Heritage Camp for Adoptive Families-a camp he attended as a child-and says he plans to establish a foundation to help both orphans and adoptees. orphans.

Figure skater Scott Hamilton was adopted as an infant, as were the brother and sister ice skating pair Kitty (Caitlin) and Peter Carruthers.

Ashia Hansen was born in the United States and adopted to the United Kingdom. Her adoptive mother was a British citizen and her adoptive father was a citizen of Ghana, in West Africa. For another blog about American-born children adopted to other countries, click here.

Fatima Whitbread, a javelin thrower, was abandoned at birth in London. She was raised in children's homes until her javelin coach adopted her when she was 14.

Figure skater Surya Bonaly represented France in past Olympics. Of African descent, she was born on the French-held island of Reunion and raised in France by her adoptive parents.

Dan O'Brien, who won the gold medal in the decathlon in 1996, spent time in an orphanage and multiple foster homes before being adopted at the age of two. O'Brien's birth parents were African-American and Finnish (Caucasian). He says he has a great interest in other cultures as his adopted brothers and sisters include a Native American, a Mexican American, an African-American, and two Korean-Americans. O'Brien is now devoting his time to the O'Brien Youth Foundation in order to, in his words, "show kids it's cool to get your work done instead of goofing off and being a jerk."

Greg Louganis first competed in the Olympics in 1976, winning a silver medal at the age of 16. He won two gold medals for the U.S. in the platform and springboard diving competitions in both 1984 and 1988. He has also written two books about his experiences with dyslexia and speaks frequently on behalf of various organizations including youth programs, programs for students with dyslexia, and drug and alcohol recovery institutions.

Other Olympic athletes who've been adopted include Aaron Parcher, pairs figure skating; Hayley Wickenheiser, women's ice hockey; Adrian Dotson and George Scott, boxing; and Jamie Baulch, 400 meter run.

Learn more about Pam Connell

Pam Connell is a mother of three by both birth and adoption. She has worked in education, child care, social services, ministry and journalism.

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mistyeyed10 (31) 29 Aug 2008 08:00 AM

Those are definitely inspiring stories. You most often hear about kids in foster care who end up on the street or some other horrible stories. But, it's great to hear about kids who rise above and become such great successes.

I was really inspired by these Olympians stories. I hope that you continue sharing with us these amazing people's lives.

Michele Cheplic (37349) 30 Aug 2008 05:11 AM

Interesting. I didn't know Dan O'Brien spent time in foster homes. And Kitty and Peter Carruthers were adopted... who knew?