Bob Filner: “Americans in every corner of this great Nation let out a collective cheer last Saturday as Gail Devers won her second…”

“Americans in every corner of this great Nation let out a collective cheer last Saturday as Gail Devers won her second straight Olympic gold medal in the 100 meters. Everyone in San Diego County, CA, is familiar with Gail's achievements. A graduate of Sweetwater High School in National City, Devers became only the second woman in history to win consecutive gold medals in the 100 meters. Even without this impressive accomplishment, Gail Devers would be a modern day hero. She won 10 area track titles in various events for Sweetwater High while setting seven section records and winning three State titles. She was so widely known in San Diego's South Bay that Sweetwater High named its stadium after her. Her high school yearbook inscription read, ``follow your dreams wherever they may lead.'' Little did she know that those dreams might never have been fulfilled on the track. In 1988, she developed Graves' disease and could not run for almost 2 years. She suffered through radiation therapy to counter the disease, which nearly forced the amputation of her feet in 1991. Only a year later, she won the first of her two 100 meter gold medals at the Barcelona Olympics. Despite consecutive disappointing finishes in the 100 meter hurdles, including a fall over the final hurdle to surrender the lead at the Barcelona Olympics, Gail Devers has been a model champion with her bright smile and uplifting demeanor.”