The Olympics are the pursuit of a lifetime. It’s also the dream of a lifetime for four Minnesota athletes training full time for the 2004 Games in Athens, each hoping for peak performances and unforgettable tales to bring back home from the XXVIII Olympiad.
SARA HILDEBRAND: Diving
Age: 24

Where she’s training: Bloomington, Indiana.

How she’s training: Four hours per day, five days per week.

What do you hope to gain from the Olympic experience?
”To go in and really enjoy myself. I’m not sure I’ll continue after this year, so if I do hang it up, I want to be content and know I did all I could do."

What’s your favorite Olympic moment?
“2000 Games at Sydney, there was this swimmer from Nigeria. He had very little experience and forgot his suit, and all the other athletes helped him out. He swam 50 meters down and back, and the entire stadium was cheering and clapping. It was very touching. Just an incredible moment."

What did you learn from your previous trip to the Olympics that will help you this time around?
“That it’s just another diving meet when you’re inside the pool area competing. When you’re outside the arena, the Olympics can be overwhelming."

What can you find in your hometown of Roseville that you can’t find in Athens?
"Space, and backyards with trees, grass and room to walk around. Athens is so overpopulated."

If you return an Olympic hero, what cereal would you like to endorse?
"It would be a tough call between Quaker Oat Squares and Kix."

Why she matters:
- An eight-time member U.S. National Team
- Finished 13th at 2000 Olympic Games
CARRIE TOLLEFSON: Track and Field, 1500m and 5000m
Age: 27

Where she’s training: Minneapolis with Team USA Minnesota.

How she’s training: Runs twice a day, six days a week for a total of 85-90 miles.

What do you miss most about not having a "normal life"?
"This is normal for me. I don’t know any other life. I think people would kill to be able to travel like I do and see the world and have friends all over the country. I have no complaints."

If you return an Olympic hero, what cereal would you like to endorse?
"Fruity Pebbles."

What is something you can find in your hometown of Dawson that you can’t find in Athens?
"Gnomes. Dawson is Gnome town USA. There are gnomes all over the place."

Where would you get a tattoo of the Olympic rings?
"On my shoulder so when everyone is running behind me, they could see it."

Athlete’s village or athletic dorm?
"I know it will be chaotic, but I’m going to stay in the village. I want to have the whole experience of being on an
Olympic team and I think that’s part of it."

What’s your favorite Olympic moment?
"I’ve always been attracted to the speed events so it was fun to watch both Florence Griffith-Joyner and Jackie
Joyner-Kersee compete. Then at the Sydney Games in 2000, to see Marion Jones dominate. They are all such unbelievable competitors."

Why she matters:
-Named one of Minnesota’s 100 best all time athletes
-A five-time NCAA Champion at Villanova
LUKE WATSON: Track and Field 5000m
Age: 23

Where he trains: Minneapolis with Team USA Minnesota.

How he trains: Runs 90 miles per week spread over 10 sessions. Weight trains twice a week.

What do you miss most about not having a "normal life"?
"The freedom of doing what you want when you want. Training takes up so much of your time."

What do you miss least?
"Having a real job."

If you return an Olympic hero, what cereal would you like to endorse?
"In high school, I was chosen by my class as most likely to appear on a Wheaties box, so it’s got to be Wheaties."

What do you hope to gain from the Olympic experience?
"It’s a challenge to make it to the Olympics. It’s puts you at the pinnacle of just a handful of people in the sport, so just making it there would be pretty special."

What’s your favorite Olympic moment?
"I have two, both from the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. First, watching Michael Johnson destroy his own world record in the 200 meters, and then Bob Kennedy’s courageous performance in the 5000 meters. He didn’t win, but he battled the Kenyans to the end."

Why he matters:
-An eight-time All-American
-6th Minnesotan to break 4 minutes in the mile
TODD SMOLINSKI: Swimming
Age: 23

Where he trains: University of Minnesota Aquatics Center.

How he trains:
High intensity sprint and endurance workouts six days a week for two hours a day. Weight trains three times a week.

What other sport would you like to be an Olympian in?
"Baseball for sure."

What do you hope to gain from the Olympic experience?
“I would love to see Athens, the original place of the Olympic Games. That would be remarkable."

What’s your favorite Olympic moment?
"At the 2000 Games in Sydney, seeing Lenny Krayzelburg winning a gold medal in the 100m backstroke. Just to see him finish and the look on his face after he won the gold. I want that kind of moment."

What do you miss most about not having a "normal life"?
"The little things, like not always being able to hang around with your friends, and taking it easy. In the long run though, what I’m doing is worth it. I get so much enjoyment out of swimming."

Where would you get a tattoo of the Olympic rings?
"On my right shoulder for all the world to see."

Why he matters:
-A five-time NCAA Champion
-Silver and Bronze medalist at World University Games