An Olympic Dream Dashed by a Nasal Swab
The New York Times
Qualifying for the Games can be the achievement of a lifetime. In the coronavirus era, though, that opportunity can vanish without warning.
Two years ago, Nick Suriano put his life on hold to chase an Olympic dream. A national collegiate champion in wrestling, Suriano took a year off from competing for Rutgers to prepare for the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo. After the Games were postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, Suriano doubled down, skipping another year of college and moving to Phoenix from his home in New Jersey to join a special training group. For eight months, he thought of little besides maintaining his health and claiming a place on the United States team by winning at the Olympic trials. Many considered him the favorite in the 125-pound class. “I was at the healthiest point in my life,” he said.More Related News