Mia Hamm

Mia Hamm (http://legacydirect.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/mia-hamm.jpg)

I choose Mariel “Mia” Hamm as my hero because she has won two gold medals in the Olympics and I look up to her for that. I also chose Mia Hamm because I’ve tried playing soccer before, but eventually I dropped out because I felt that it was too hard. Since Mia had stuck to soccer since she was in her childhood that made me admire her.

Mia Hamm was born on March 1, 1972 in Selma Alabama to her parents William and Stephanie Hamm. Mia grew up in Florence, Italy, because when she was a year old, her father had a job transfer. It was in Florence when she saw her first soccer game. Her family knew little about soccer, but was fascinated by the game. Eventually, when the Hamms moved back to the USA, Mia wanted to learn to play and that was when she started her successful career in soccer.

Picture from “Sports Illustrated”) Title: USA Kri (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/olympics/2007-07/27/content_6003178.htm)

As she grew up, playing in the youth Leagues, she eventually longed to make it big. In 1991, Mia Hamm played in the World Cup. Then she went on to play in the 1995, 1999, and 2003 World Cups as well. After her first two world cup plays, Mia joined the Olympic Team in 1996, where she won a Gold Medal for the USA. She also played in the 2000 Olympics, losing in the last round, but still salvaging a silver medal of the US. Then she joined the 2004 Olympics, she won another Gold Medal.

Mia Hamm and a Brazilian defender jump up to head (Picture by Jack Gruber)

Mia Hamm has won many medals over the years. She won the ACC Player of the Year in 1990, 1992, and 1993. Mia also won The National Player of the Year award on 1992, and 1993. In 1994, Mia won the Honda Broderick Cup as Most Outstanding Female Athlete. She has been named US Female Athlete of the Year in 1995, 1996, and 1997. In 1997, Mia also won the Women’s Sport Foundation award for Athlete of the Year.

Mia Hamm in the semifinals against Brazil. (The U ((Picture by: Getty Images/Robert Cianflone))

Although Mia Hamm has accomplished much in her life, I would not follow her for one thing. When she was in high school, Mia dropped out because she thought all her soccer training sessions were too much to handle, especially since she had school work to do. She prioritized a game over a good education and I would not take her side on that because if she was hurt in an injury, she would have no other careers to follow in her life. Also, if there was someone younger, and more talented than her, teams would choose the other player over Mia. Then she would be jobless, and without options.

Although, Mia did some things that I would not do (such as drop out of high school), in the end, she is an athlete to be admired. She has achieved many things in her life, and I would use her as a role model to help me achieve. Even though I am not good at soccer, I think Mia Hamm is a very good athletic hero.