102 JAMZ supports our hometown Olympic Athlete Damu Cherry of Winter Garden. Damu will be sharing her Olympic experience at the ’08 Beijing games with 102 JAMZ. Check back periodically for updates, pics and more from Damu right here at 102jamzorlando.com.

From: Damu Cherry
Sunday, August 24, 2008 12:14 AM

Shopping in Beijing

Well I am still getting over the flu bug and I have been sleeping soo much since the final race two days ago.  I guess that is what I needed.  My mom, Dennis and I decided to go to the silk market and bargain shop.
WOW.....WOW...it was crazy out there.  I got a few things but I did not have the energy or patience to stay out there for long.  I bought a few purses and watches and some really cute jeans.  I did not spend a lot of money cause Dennis is great at getting a bargain.  LOL:)  I fell asleep in the cab on the way back to the village.  I think that because I am still fighting this cold my energy levels are pretty low.  Even though I am not one hundred percent...I am having the time of my life.  This has been an awesome experience and I would not change anything.  I will be leaving for Europe soon to run a few more races and then the season will be done on September 15th.  Its been great and I am still expecting greatness:)

Damu Cherry


From: Damu Cherry
Sunday, August 24, 2008

Bye to the village

Wow....as I walked out of the village today I was a little sad.  This had become my home away from home.  Yes, I spent half the trip fighting the flu bug, I still  had an awesome time.  I would not trade this for anything in the world.  The people in China were very friendly and even though there is a lot of pollution, Beijing is a wonderful place.  I am also glad that my parents had the opportunity to share this moment with me.  They had a blast, even though my dad ate a few things that didn't agree with him...LOL:)

It was also nice that Dennis (my coach) had the opportunity to come back to the Olympics but as a coach.  This makes his fourth Olympic team that he has had the opportunity to be a part of.  Pretty cool, how many people can say that:)

I must say its nice to be his first athlete to qualify for the games and hopefully the first of many more to come.  Once again, I want to thank everyone for your love and support and for sharing this journey with me.

Many blessings

Damu Cherry

From: Damu Cherry
Sunday, August 24, 2008












From: Damu Cherry
Tuesday, August 19, 2008

First of all, I want to thank all of you for your support!  OMG....its so great to be loved!!  I want to also thank God for bringing me through this.  No I didn't win the gold meadal but my God....so many other rewards that have come my way. Once I put this whole thing into perspective I see how great this Olympic experience truly is.  I am ready to see what God has in store for me in the future.  Oh, in case you were wondering no I am not going anywhere.  I still have so much more to accomplish in this sport.  I hope I inspired somone out there to never give up and always expect greatness!  Always find the positive things out of situations be kind to others.

Blessed and highly Favored

Damu Cherry
 

From: Damu Cherry
Wednesday, August 13, 2008

I have been going nonstop since I have been back to the village. I had to attend practice, go to team meetings, and flag down a taxis to go to Nike Hospitality. To go to Nike its a 30 minute adventure!! LOL...(the driving is crazy here) Of course, going to Nike is always worth it cause we always get cool new gear. My favorite gift is my new spikes. I cannot wait to wear them on Sunday. They are pretty cool. I also had the opportunity to get a new treatment called Tecar! Tecar helps your legs recover from day to day its pretty relaxing. I am really getting geared up for round one and I am really ready to go.

Many Blessings

Damu

From: Damu Cherry
Monday, August 11, 2008

Here is a photo of me getting treatment and a photo with the trainers here at the training camp in Dalian.

Thanks,

Damu Cherry

From: Damu Cherry
Monday, August 11, 2008

On my final day at training camp I had to get a light massage before boarding the plane back to Beijing. I had a lot of fun here in Dalian and I also had great workouts. I am pleased and ready to go. Yes, training is important, but phiso work after my workouts is just as important. I have to spend another 45 minutes after workout with massage, stretching, and chiropractic work. The staff that we have here is great and they all have been very helpful. I am ready to get back to the village and get settled in and REALLY get focused on my race. I have to board the plane pretty early so I will be sure to touch base when I get settled in the village.
As always....Expect Greatness

Damu Cherry

From: Damu Cherry
Monday, August 11, 2008

This is a photo that I took while we were riding on the bus to training in Dalian. We are pretty special here....we have police escorts and they clear the roads while we ride to the track. While riding on the bus I realize how blessed and privileged we are in America. I also took a picture of the houses where people live. It is pretty amazing how they live here. Just think twice the next time you want to complain about something in America....it could be worse. We got it good...real good!!!

Many blessings

Damu Cherry

From: Damu Cherry
Sunday, Aug 10, 2008

Here is a photo of myself, David Oliver (110 hurdles), Tiffany Ross-Williams (400 meter Hurdles) after a training session in Dalian yesterday. We all had good workout and we just took some time to laugh and joke around after training. I only have one more day here and I have to report back to the village to get ready for my race five days from now. Its been pretty quite here and it rained this morning so the air cleared up slightly. Today I have a sprint workout and then of course more phiso work and my favorite....ICE BATH....UGH...I turn my I POD on try to get through one song like Rihanna (Take a Bow) or something like that. I hate it but it works wonders. Well, until next time, many blessings and be sure to cheer on our other Florida hurdlers. BTW we all train in Orlando, FL and Tiffany is one of my good friends and my roommate in the village:)

Damu Cherry

From: Damu Cherry
Saturday, August 9, 2008

I am finally relaxing and I'm out of the air (LOL). I feel like I have been flying forever! I got in to Dalian around three o clock and it was a 45 min ride to the hotel! OMG.....this guy was driving so crazy I got car sick! I was sooo dizzy that it took me a good 20 mins to get back to normal. I went to the track and did a shake out and got a massage. Then we finished off the evening with a opening ceremonies party in the dining hall. We watched the cermonies on a big screen TV. Pretty cool!!

Today I woke up at noon....I slept soooo good!! I have to go to the track at 4 and then more phiso work! I will probably catch a movie tonight and watch some gymnastics too.

God bless

Damu Cherry

Meet Damu Cherry:
Age: 30
Stats: 5'4" 130lb
Birthplace: Tampa, Florida
Residence: Winter Garden, Florida
Education: University of South Florida 2000
B.S. Exercise Science
Training: National Training Center Clermont, FL
Track and Field:
Event: 100 Meter Hurdles

• Ranked # 3 in world in 2006
• Best time 60m hurdles indoors-7.85
• Best time 100m hurdles – 12.44
• 2nd Olympic Trials
• 2008 Olympian

Other Sports: Gymnastics, cheerleading, dance
Coaches name, Dennis Mitchell (3 time Olympian 88, 92, 96)