“Kim Rhode (pronounced row-dee) is not the typical Olympic athlete. She has no million-dollar contract, no cereal boxes, no huge Sports Illustrated centerfolds. A lot of people haven’t even heard of her sport—shooting.
But now that she has an Olympic gold medal, she has had to get used to a little more attention. Those long hours of practice on the shooting range resulted in her being the youngest person to win a shooting medal in the history of the games. With her score of 141 points, she set a new world record.
It could have been called a late birthday present for the El Monte native, who turned 17 a week before competing in the Summer Olympics in Atlanta this year.
In a matter of six hours and 25 minutes she won a gold medal in the double trap event, beating out the top favorite, Deborah Gelisio of Italy. In the trap event, clay saucers 4 1/3 inches in diameter are flung at various angles with each shooter allowed two shots at each saucer.
She said she didn’t start taking her victory seriously until she stood on the medal stand.
“It finally hit me when the national anthem started playing and the flag went up. Then the crowd was wild and screaming my name and I was like, ‘Wow! This is really happening to me!’ It was so overwhelming, I tried really hard not to cry. It was awesome.”
“I tried to keep a low profile at school. I don’t think I can now,” said the Arroyo High senior, who noted that it’s been hard to keep her grades up with all the time she spends at the shooting range.
She’s modest about her achievements. “I didn’t really expect to win anything. I was already proud to represent my country. If I did win a medal, it would be a cherry on the top.”
No expectations, come on! In case you don’t know, Kim is highly feared in her sport. She took a gold in the 1995 USA Shooting National Championships, a gold at the 1995 US Olympic Festival, and a bronze at the 1995 Seoul World Cup. Sports Illustrated predicted she would be a bronze medalist at the Olympics.
How she got her start
At the age of 10 or 11, Kim started shooting with her parents at the San Gabriel Gun Club.
“My parents used to shoot, but they gave it all up for me,” she said. “It cost too much for all three of us to shoot.”
Despite sponsorship from three companies and her local shooting range, Kim’s parents dish out an average of $600 a week. Kim shoots 2,000 targets or more a week, 2-5 hours a day, depending on how much schoolwork she has.
She has to carry 20 pounds worth of shooting equipment and $20,000 9-pound guns around the field. Shooting does not count as PE at her school so she still takes PE. Other than that, the 5′ 4″, 105-pound teen does not work out.
Kim is currently single. She said she hopes guys won’t be afraid of her because she can shoot. On the other hand, guys aren’t that important.
“I’m so busy all the time. I don’t think I’ll have time for a boyfriend,” she said.
Competing at the Olympics was a wonderful experience for her. “”There weren’t that many people who asked for my autograph at the opening ceremonies. It’s kind of funny because they all ran after me when I won the gold medal,” she said.
Kim, who stayed in a college dorm room during the games, said she didn’t mind that she didn’t get the “”star”” treatment that some athletes get. “It’s not about money. If it was, I wouldn’t be in this sport. Shooters usually don’t get big-time contracts like people like Shaq.”
She also doesn’t mind if others get such contracts. “My friend, weightlifter Mark Henry just signed a million-dollar contract with World Wrestling Federation. He deserves it though because he’s worked real hard and is a real nice guy. If you had devoted eight years of your life to a sport, wouldn’t you want a contract?”
The truth is, Kim’s a sweet person. She even asked me to go line dancing with her after she gets back from visiting the White House and Chelsea and a VIP trip to Busch Gardens, an amusement park, and a few more competitions.
I’m kind of flattered. Hope to hear from you soon, Kim!
Facts on Kim Rhode
Age: 17 Shoots: Right
Residence: El Monte
Years on national team: two
Hobbies: Line dancing, hunting, diving, skiing, hanging out with friends
Musical interests: “I listen to everything. Hootie was pretty cool and Trisha Yearwood is amazing.”
Car: ’85 red Corvette
Career goals: a vet, doctor or orthodontist”