Three-time United States Olympian Amy Acuff says she enjoys
living in Isleton because of both of the rivers that run through it
and the historical aspects of the old Chinese community.
On Aug. 8, Acuff will be seeing real Chinese history up close on
the ultimate field trip as a member of the U.S. team that will
compete in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.
The 6-foot-2 Acuff qualified for her fourth Olympics last month
in the high jump at the U.S. Track and Field Trials in Eugene,
Ore.
Acuff has never medalled in the Olympics, with her best finish
being a fourth-place showing in the 2004 Athens Games.
"I am set on winning a medal in Beijing," Acuff said in an
e-mail interview on Thursday. "You can't control what other people
are going to do, but I plan to will myself into a great
performance."
After graduating from UCLA with a degree in biology, Acuff, a
native of Texas, has been among the best high jumpers in the nation
for the last 15 years by using her longevity as well as her looks
to help raise awareness of her sport.
Acuff has appeared in Playboy magazine and modeled for many
others while acquiring somewhat of a reputation for donning spicy
attire during a few select meets. But that won't be on display in
Beijing.
"I used to spice things up at a few choice meets in the past,"
Acuff said. "The Olympic team-issued apparel is strictly controlled
by sponsors for this event, so, there is no chance of that."
It is her intelligence and knowledge of traditional Chinese
medicine that helps Acuff, a licensed acupuncturist, stay on top of
her game at age 33.
"In such an abusive event as the high jump, I definitely could
not have made it this long without it," Acuff said. "Athletics, and
mainly injuries, has made me so aware of functional anatomy."
According to Acuff, who has a career-best leap of 6 feet, 7
inches, there is no clear-cut favorite and all of the medals in the
high jump competition in Beijing will be up for grabs.
"The Croatian (Blanka Vlasic) is the one to beat right now,"
Acuff said. "There are two Russians that I'm sure will be strong.
The medal stand is anybody's to be had."
And, incredibly, if Acuff does not medal in Beijing, there is a
good chance she will shoot for what would be her fifth Olympics in
the 2012 Games in London, England.
"I'm just going to play it year by year from here on out. I'm
sure I have another four years in my body to go through 2012, but
we'll have to see if the motivation to continue this rigorous and
strict lifestyle is still there."
Make no mistake, however, Acuff enjoys the spirit of the Olympic
Games and is proud to represent the USA.
"One of the really fun things about the Olympics is getting to
chat with athletes from other sports. It is fun to admire their
skills and talents. Just yesterday at team processing I got to meet
Lisa Leslie from basketball," Acuff said.
After Beijing, it will be back to the peace and quiet of the
Isleton home she shares with her husband, pole vaulter and Sonora
native Tye Harvey.
"I have lived in Isleton for two years now," Acuff said. "My
husband and I plan to stay."
Acuff and Harvey are members of the Tri-Valley Athletics track
and field club which trains in Stockton under the tutelage of
highly regarded coach Dan Pfaff. Harvey failed to qualify for the
Olympics and will stay behind, but Pfaff will be joining Acuff in
Beijing.
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