WHEN THE COMPETITION ENDS

by Alyssa Roenigk

U.S. weightlifter and three-time Olympian Cheryl Hayworth finished competing last Saturday. The Sydney bronze medalist took sixth place in the 75 kg and over division, but says injuries kept her off the medal stand. Her personal best is nearly 11 kilos heavier than what silver medalist Olha Korobka of the Ukraine lifted here in Beijing. Before these Games, Hayworth considered retiring from the sport. But now, she says she may be back. "It's unsettling," she said. "I know that wasn't my best." While the 25-year-old ponders a comeback in London, Hayworth and her family made the most of their time in Beijing. By Wednesday, they'd already visited the Great Wall, had dinner in a hutong (one of Beijing's small restaurant-filled alleyways), bartered in the silk and pearl markets and braved the crowds of Tiananmen Square.

"My favorite memory so far was Opening Ceremonies," Hayworth said. "On the Monday before the ceremony, we could see them practicing from our rooms in the Athlete's Village. The fireworks were beautiful." Aunt Nancy and mom Sheila said their favorite moment so far was when, at dinner Monday night, the eel Cheryl selected from the tank got loose. "The waiter was taking it out and it slipped onto the floor," Hayworth said. "It flopped around for a bit before the guy wrangled it and took it back to the kitchen. It was yummy."

Wednesday afternoon, when we met up with the Hayworths and USA track cyclist Jennie Reed, Cheryl's roommate in the Athlete Village, they were just about to tour the Forbidden City. Since we also have an Olympic credential (free access to local attractions!) they agreed to let us tag along with them.

On their way to the Forbidden City, the group had a typical Beijing experience: They were in a car accident. Mom and dad Robert were in one cab with Aunt Nancy and Jennie, Cheryl and her sister Beth were in a second. Mom and Dad's cab rear-ended the car in front of them at a stoplight, and before Cheryl could think, "Wow, my parents were in an accident," her cab rear-ended that of her parents. "By the end, five cars were involved," Hayworth says. No one was seriously injured, although everyone's backs began hurting a few hours later. Dad headed back to the hotel to rest (after realizing he'd also lost his wallet), but the rest of the group forged ahead.

Alyssa Roenigk

Cheryl Hayworth putting her art degree in historical preservation to use.

With an art degree in historical preservation, Hayworth was intent on seeing the ancient buildings of the Forbidden City. Throughout the walking tour, locals stopped to take photos with Cheryl and Jennie or sneak shots of the girls. One woman snapped a shot of Cheryl taking a photo of Jennie, and then ran off before either could ask her name. A French tourist handed his camera to Jennie and asked her to take a few shots of him posing in various positions in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

After a few hours, everyone was tired, so the group stopped for a rest on a bench at the north entrance to the City and chatted about their experience so far at these Games. Jenny said she wishes cycling would add other sprint races to the Olympics and that she feels content with her decision to retire once she returns home to Seattle. Hayworth said four more years would be worth the feeling of knowing she'd achieved her full potential.

Then it was off for yet another yummy dinner. Hopefully this time it stays on the plate.

Print Article . Email Article. Subscribe to The Magazine