Aretha Thurmond, an Elite Athlete Grantee Biography

ARETHA HILL THURMOND

HOMETOWN: OPELIKA, AL
SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON ('98)
EVENT: DISCUS THROW

2008 Olympic Trials champion; Three-time USA champion ('03, '04, '06); 1999, 2003 Pan Am Games gold medalist

CLICK HERE FOR ARETHA'S DETAILED PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT ARETHA'S WEBSITE, ArethaThrows.com.

In Aretha's words:

"The USATF Foundation Grant has helped me tremendously over my career, easing the burden of travel, training and medical expenses. Helping me to focus more on training and competing and less on the financial stress of being an elite athlete in this sport."

Aretha (Hill) Thurmond picked up a discus for the first time in the spring of 1991. She was barely 14 years old. By the end of that first track season, she had developed a passion for throwing. She developed a passion for something else too, winning. She took second at state that first year. She was disappointed and set a goal to take first. She took first for the next three years and broke her own state record in her senior year.

Aretha was blessed with a track and field scholarship to the University of Washington. In her sophomore year, she earned a berth on the United States Olympic Team. It sparked a dream in her that matched the passion for throwing she had developed in high school. Aretha’s Olympic dream includes a medal for the United States of America.

Aretha’s passion for throwing has inspired her to follow her dream. After graduation from college, she moved to Tennessee and then to Auburn, Alabama to train full time. She is fully committed to medaling at the Olympics before she concludes her throwing career.

Aretha gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Devon Theopplis Thurmond (Theo), on June 4, 2007. She is devoted to nurturing Theo and readily accepts the simultaneous challenges of motherhood and training to be a world class thrower. She competed at the USA Outdoor Nationals when he was only 18 days old. He is growing rapidly and has already traveled to Kentucky, New Zealand, and Australia to watch his mother compete this season. His passport is ready for new stamps.

DEVON "THEO" THEOPPLIS WITH MOM / GOLF ANYONE?

Thanks,

Aretha Thurmond, Discus Throw

CLICK HERE FOR ARETHA'S DETAILED PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.

Please contact Tom Jackovic, Executive Director, USATF Foundation at (412) 398-2484 for additional information about Elite Athlete support programs.

THROWING IN PARIS

THEO & MAC WILKINS

KRISTIN HEASTON, ALLYSON FELIX & ME