Audio By Carbonatix
What will life be like for Olympic swimming sensation Michael Phelps after Beijing? Cheers and parades? His face on a Wheaties box? If his predecessor and former swimming buddy, three-time Olympic medalist and former teen phenom Nadia “Anita” Nall, is any indication, he’ll have a year or so of endorsements followed by a crashing fall into obscurity. In less than a decade, he’ll be making appearances at local libraries and talking about his glory days. Ouch.
Nall, now Anita Nall Richesson, discusses her career in the program “Life After Olympic Gold” from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, August 28, at Chandler Public Library, 22 South Delaware Street. So what exactly happened to the rising star? At 16 in Barcelona, Nall struck Olympic gold, but chronic fatigue syndrome and other health issues caused her to drop out of the 2000 Olympic trials and retire permanently. She landed in Phoenix, got a communications degree from ASU, and became a holistic health specialist-slash-certified life coach.
Michael Phelps, eat your Wheaties and take note.
Thu., Aug. 28, 11:30 a.m., 2008
When news happens, Phoenix New Times is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If New Times matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
