Tommy Chasanoff
Olympic Gold Medalist
Status
Tommy Chasanoff was born with cerebral palsy: a group of disorders that involve the brain and nervous system functions such as movement, learning, hearing, seeing and thinking. This disorder is ascribed because Tommy was born with it. Through hard work he achieved four Olympic medals and became an influential Olympian.
But there's more...
Tommy also works at Florida Southern College as an assistant in the sports information office covering mens lacrosse and baseball. Chasanoff graduated from Webber International University with a degree in management and marketing. Chasanoff also coached the National Junior Disability Championships.
Chasanoff's College
Symptoms of cerebral palsy
Place of employment
Sports as a Subculture
Tommy Chasanoff is an Olympic track and field participant. He participated in the 2011 Special Olympics games in 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico. Here Chasanoff took gold in the 400m and 800m races. He also took silver in the 100m and 200m races. At these Olympics Tommy set a record in the 400m race with a time of 1:01:81 min.
Guadalajara, Mexico
Tommy competed in the 2011 Parapan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Guadalajara is the capital and largest city in the Mexican state of Jalisco. This city was named the American Capital of Culture and is the second most populated area in Mexico. This was an ideal location for a summer Olympics games because of the nice location. Here the whether is nice and it is surrounded by lakes, beaches, and beautiful views. This location allowed for ideal conditions to hold summer Olympic events
Socialization
Chasanoff has been around sports his entire life. He comes from a sports family and was first introduced to sports at age 5 by his father. Tommy is also a twin and his brother was an athlete as well. Chasanoff started at the junior level competing with the Bennett Blazers in Maryland. He then became a part of his high school varsity track team for four years and continued on in college at Webber International University doing track and cross country. Chasanoff used sports to fit in and form friendships. Sports has always been what his life has revolved around and Tommy used running to socialize and fit in.
Social Interaction
Tommy knows how to be a competitive athlete and have social interaction. He is competing against other types of athletes that have disabilities similar to his. This competition takes a special type of athlete and each of these athletes are competitive and enjoy social interaction at sporting events. Tommy is very driven and wants to win similar to all athletes. This competitive social interaction allows Tommy to use his athletic ability to grow as a person.
Values
Tommy Chasanoff's college coach says Chasanoff brings intense energy to the table and has a positive influence on all team members. Chasanoff trains at the Olympic Training Complex while maintaining a job and coaching other disability teams. Tommy believes in giving back to the community while being a role model to all athletes with disabilities. He also was athlete of the month in 2004 for his hard work and dedication to every task he undertakes.
Symbolic Theory
One symbol of Tommy Chasanoff is the Olympic Training Complex he trains at in California. At this complex Tommy is the person he wants to be. He is an athlete and he is working hard to achieve his goals. Here, Tommy suffered many challenges but it has allowed him to become the athlete and role model he strives to be. Another symbol of Tommy is his gold medal. This medal defines his hard work and ability to push through his disorder and still be able to accomplish the things he wanted to. The gold medal symbolizes accomplishment, dedication, and passion.
Two Gold and Two Silver Medals
Track and Field
Olympic Training Complex
Reflection
Tommy Chasanoff is the perfect role model for people of all ages. Tommy is a person who symbolizes hard work, perseverance, and dedication. He was born with a disorder but never did this stop him from accomplishing his dreams. Learning about Chasanoff has taught me that no matter what obstacles you are faced with, you must over come them in order to succeed. Tommy shows people to never lose faith because anything can happen with the drive to complete every task you undertake.