Priscilla Lopes-Schliep: the underdog who overcame the odds
Olympic 100m hurdles bronze medallist Priscilla Lopes-Schliep talks to spikesmag.com about how her medical condition and childhood bullying has not stopped her becoming an inspiration for millions of Canadians.
Cast your mind back to the Beijing Olympic Games and recall some of the most compelling post-race celebrations. Usain Bolt’s dancing and discus thrower Gerd Kanter’s 100m sprint of joy spring to mind.
But was there any more a heartwarming sight than when the silver and bronze medallists in the women’s 100m hurdles final - Australian Sally McLellan and Canada’s Priscilla Lopes-Schliep – embraced each other after they both snatched unexpected medals?
Lopes-Schliep was wreathed in smiles after winning her medal in Beijing. But to really understand her joy we need to delve deep into her past.
Born in Canada of Guyanese and Portuguese extraction
Lopes-Schliep was born with the genetic condition Lipodystrophy, characterised by the loss of the subcutaneous fat that helps insulate the body, absorb trauma and acts as a reserve energy source.
The condition afflicts many members of her family and it can leave sufferers vulnerable to diabetes, high-cholesterol and even heart disease.
Another common physical effect is increased muscle mass, and for a shy, quiet girl at elementary school in Whitby, Ontario, this led to bullying from some pupils.
“When I was young I was picked on but it’s funny because the guys who made fun of me then are now saying, ‘how do you get your legs?’ That it is so cool,’” she says. “I was very self-conscious when I was young and I didn’t want to wear shorts.
“When I was at elementary school I would wonder why my legs were like that and nobody else’s were. I used to go home and ask my mum and dad if I could get my veins removed.
“Obviously they used to say no,” she says.
Lopes-Schliep recalls this period of her life as very stressful but the condition had a silver lining, which helped propel her life in a different direction. Because of the high muscle mass caused by Lipodystrophy, her powerful frame was perfectly suited to the demands of athletics.
She was encouraged to take up the sport and proved an instant hit – in grade nine she reached the final of the Canadian High School Championships and it was at this point she realised she had a very special gift.
“I knew I was blessed with a genetic gene and if I kept working I could use this to my advantage,” she explains.
There was a byproduct of the hard training, too. Doctors have since discovered that her fitness has helped stave off the worst symptoms of her medical condition. In short, athletics has helped her to manage the problem.
Her determination and talent has seen her develop as a leading Canadian international and her career under her longtime coach Anthony McCleary has taken an upward curve.
She failed to progress beyond the heats of the 2004 Athens Olympics but reached the semi-finals of the World Championships the following year. Then, last year, came her finest hour to date with a bronze in the Bird’s Nest Stadium.
As Canada’s only Olympic track and field medallist she enjoyed a huge amount of attention. It was a life-changing experience, and one she hopes can help motivate and inspire.
“I’ve made speeches in the past but now I’ve won a medal for Canada it is like people take my opinions more seriously,” she says. “And being the underdog for so many years has made me appreciate what I have today.”
Lopes-Schliep has since put her heart and soul into reaching out to the Canadian public to tell her inspirational story. She regularly speaks to schools, radio, TV and the print media, and has overcome her childhood fears.
“At High School I would be so terrified (to speak in public) I’d have butterflies and my hand would shake because I was so nervous,” she says. “But maybe my experiences have helped me grow and come out of my shell. I like to think I can relate to the crowd. They may think, ‘she was bullied but look at her now’.”
Such is her engaging speaking style that the demands have continued into the new year, although her early season form in 2009 suggests the distractions have not had a detrimental effect on her athletics – as witnessed by her world leading PB of 12.52 in Doha in May.
Although she hopes to have many more years on the track she also has half-an-eye on the future, and that could involve a full-time career as a motivational speaker.
“I would love to,” she tells spikesmag.com. “I think what we need is more motivational speakers in sport, particularly women.
“It is a gift I’ve been given that allows me to speak and to speak to kids, too.
“I see myself doing this after my sports career. If I could help to inspire more athletes or doctors that would be great,” she adds.
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