A Shot at Glory

A Shot at Glory is a series of half hour looks at American Olympic hopefuls leading up to the 2008 Beijing Summer Games. Featured athletes include triathlete Laura Bennett who is followed as she competes in the 2008 World Championships. The women's beach volleyball team of Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs is profiled along with 16-year-old gymnast Samantha Peszek, a surprise addition to the Olympic squad. World record distance swimmer Kate Ziegler is followed by her dedicated team. Dubbed "Team Kate" by her father, it includes her coach, a personal trainer, a physical therapist, an allergist and an asthma doctor. In all, a series of ten profiles were produced and originally aired on the Mojo Channel in the ten days leading up to the Games. Some of the athletes performed well at the Olympics that year, some didn't, while others fell prey to injury before the Games even started. What this series reminds viewers is that no matter the outcome, the medals won or lost, each of these athletes displays an extraordinarily dedication to their sport. The sacrifices and struggles behind the scenes are often as compelling as anything that happens in front of the Olympic audience. MORE