John Lind

Devoted dad, faithful follower of the Hokies, Gamecocks, and Riverside Rams. Taking a deep breath and lovin' life...🇺🇸

[John Lind @lind57]

@RVHSRamsSports Congratulations, Kyle!!

[Riverside Athletics @RVHSRamsSports]

Congratulations to Kyle Johnson, Riverside alum! We are proud of you!

[Mr PitBull Stories @MrPitbull07]

At the 1972 Munich Olympics, a 15-year-old American swimmer won three gold medals and set two world records.

Almost nobody remembers her name.

The cameras were pointed somewhere else.

The story of Munich is usually told in two parts.

First, there was the dominance of Mark Spitz, who won seven gold medals and became the face of the Games.

Then there was the tragedy of the Munich Massacre, when eleven Israeli athletes and coaches were murdered by terrorists from Black September.

Those two stories became the history of Munich.

Everything else disappeared into the background.

Including a teenage girl from Virginia named Melissa Belote.

She arrived in Germany as a high school sophomore.

No media entourage.

No endorsement deals.

No celebrity status.

Just a swimmer who had spent years staring at the black line at the bottom of a pool before sunrise.

In the 100-meter backstroke, she won gold and set an Olympic record.

In the 200-meter backstroke, she won gold and broke the world record.

In the 4×100-meter medley relay, she helped the United States win gold and set another world record.

Three events.

Three gold medals.

Two world records.

She was fifteen years old.

While reporters chased Spitz through the Olympic Village, Belote quietly climbed out of the same pool carrying world records.

Few cameras followed.

Few headlines appeared.

Then the Munich attack happened.

The Games stopped.

The world changed.

When competition resumed, celebration was gone. Athletes finished their events beneath a cloud of grief and shock.

Belote received her final gold medal in an arena struggling to find joy.

Then she packed her bags and went home.

No nationwide media tour.

No magazine covers.

No Hollywood offers.

She returned to Springfield, Virginia.

The next thing she had to worry about wasn't another Olympic final.

It was high school.

She walked back into class as a sophomore.

According to the stories told later, school didn't even excuse her from regular physical education requirements.

Just weeks after becoming a three-time Olympic champion, she was still expected to run laps like everyone else.

Today, her achievements remain in the record books:

🥇 100m Backstroke
🥇 200m Backstroke (World Record)
🥇 4×100m Medley Relay (World Record)

Three Olympic gold medals.

Won before she was old enough to drive.

The medals weigh exactly the same as everyone else's.

History just forgot to look at them.

Melissa Belote didn't merely compete in Munich.

She outswam the world while almost nobody was watching.

[🎸 Rock History 🎸 @historyrock_]

This is probably one of the most beautiful tributes of all time…

[Stephen Gibbons @Gibboanxious]

It’s been 11 years since we lost Philip Seymour Hoffman. Charlie Wilson’s War may not be an amazing film, but he’s absolutely phenomenal in it.

[John Lind @lind57]

@RVHSRamsSports Fantastic! Congratulations…deserved and well earned!!

[Riverside Athletics @RVHSRamsSports]

Congratulations to our amazing principal, Mr. Anderson. This morning, he was surprised by central office staff and named the LCPS Principal of the Year! Very very well deserved!

[A Soldier's Whisper @SoldiersWhisper]

“An eighteen year old boy was carried into the shock ward, and he looks up at me trustingly asking, “How am I doing, nurse?” I just kiss his forehead and say, “You are doing just fine soldier.” He smiles sweetly and says, “I was just checking,” then he dies. We all cry in private. But not in front of the boys. Never in front of the boys.” - June Wandrey

June Wandrey Mann (1920–2005) was a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps from Wautoma, Wisconsin. She was the author of Bedpan Commando, an account of her military service in Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany from 1942 to 1946, during which she was awarded eight battle stars.
#Nurses #War #FridayThoughts

[Shooter McGavin @ShooterMcGavin]

All-time Shooter McGavin story

[Peri McMeans @perimcmeans]

Happy 20th Birthday bomb Cav!⚾️💣

[Washington Capitals @Capitals]

"The Goal" was scored 19 years ago today

#ALLCAPS | #OTD

[George Karl @CoachKarl22]

I get actually bothered when people say Julius isn’t a Top 10 all time player.

Three championships, three MVPs, created the most important event in hoops history (ABA - NBA merger), changed the game!!

At least Just go ahead and say you’re too young and don’t know.

[Three Year Letterman @3YearLetterman]

Ten days from today, America will select Shitty Candidate 1 or Shitty Candidate 2 to be president

An absolute insult to President Franklin’s legacy

[Shooter McGavin @ShooterMcGavin]

Bob Uecker should have won an Oscar for his work in Major League.

[VABaseballTourneys @vabaseballtourn]

Riverside HS (2027) OF Carter Fitzgerald drives a double to deep left centerfield for Diamond Elite 15U.

⁦@FlatgroundBats⁩
⁦@Rvsidebaseball⁩
#uncommitted
#VBTUVA

[Riverside Baseball @Rvsidebaseball]

Congratulations to @DukeBASE and KJ! Job well done!

[Riverside Athletics @RVHSRamsSports]

Boys Lacrosse wins and advances the Regional Final on Tuesday vs Independence, and also qualifies for the State Tournament. #ROLLSIDE

[Riverside Boys Lacrosse @RVHSLacrosse]

Annual post season tradition. The River Run. It's about coming together as a team, honoring the game, and honoring those that came before you. #AllIn

[Baseball’s Greatest Moments @BBGreatMoments]

More youth umpires should put these parents in their place like this.