Karla Del Grande "from Canada, but adopted by many at US Nationals"

by Karla Del Grande
(Canada)

Now that really warmed my heart! No wonder I love running relays with you American girls at your meets, when there aren't enough of us from Canada.
Finland was a very athlete friendly meet, the best that way of the 5 I've been to (Puerto Rico, Spain, Linz, Italy as well). Portapotties near the warm-up areas, mondo lanes and access to the track for warming up, friendly but efficient check-in people and procedures (with time to warm up on the track in the call room under the stadium while waiting or on the track after getting your spikes on -- often a no-no at big meets), young kids who safely looked after our bags (in Spain, our belongings were jumbled with other races and at least once got dumped out alongside the track when being brought from the start to the finish of the 100), and a Sibelius (Finnish composer) CD given with each medal.
I enjoyed watching Renee Henderson, Joy Upshaw, Lisa Daley, Jeanne Daprano, Sumi, and other women that I've met at your US meets. And Rita Hanscom!! I explained to our fellow W55 athletes in the 100 that we have an expression in English "Jack of all trades, but Master of none" that doesn't apply to Rita. She is Master of all her events, and was amazing to watch.