Though circumstances are less than ideal, athletes who are hoping for a COVID-rescheduled 2020 Olympics in Tokyo are taking advantage of this downtime to train.
“For us guys coming through the qualifier, there’s never really truly an off season,” said Garrett Peterson, a Largo beach volleyball player and Olympic hopeful. “So constantly training, lifting in the gym and just trying to get as many reps as we can.”
For Olympic hopefuls, the training is never-ending and the aspirations often come early in life.
“Olympic dreams started when I was younger around six or seven,” said Peterson. “I could picture myself, you know, with everyone watching on a big court and, you know, getting that gold medal.”
In a step toward the Olympics, Garrett moved to California to play with the best on the Association of Volleyball Professional’s Beach Tour until the pandemic shut it down.
“COVID hit and all the volleyball got canceled,” said Peterson. “I had to go home back here in Florida, and so I’m just training, getting stronger and then going to hopefully get back out there in the end of the spring.”
Garrett would take pride in representing his country and has his sights also set on the 2028 Summer Olympic games in Los Angeles.
Iconic humanitarian photographer recognized in museum exhibition
The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts has dedicated an exhibition to one of the most famous documentary photographers in America, Bruce Davidson.
Davidson became well known for covering the civil rights movement. He captured people of different colors and backgrounds in their everyday lives from the 1960s to the late 90s and even has up-close photos of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the historic Selma marches.
His passion for photography started when he was young. His mother built him a darkroom in his basement when he was 10, and when he was 19 he won the 1952 Kodak National High School Photographic Award.
The museum exhibit shows scenes of Central Park, Harlem, Brooklyn, and subway stations. It will be open to the public until the end of the year.
Davidson’s portfolio on Magnum Photos can also be viewed here.
Online reservations are required for all visitors at a limited capacity, to buy tickets to the exhibit visit the museums website.
Veteran’s Day goes virtual with St. Petersburg events
In light of the again-spiking coronavirus, local cities and organizations are hosting virtual events for Veteran’s Day on Wednesday.
Mayor Rick Kriseman will host an event at Williams Park in downtown St. Pete at 8 a.m., and, since it will be a limited capacity event, it is also being streamed on Saint Petersburg’s Facebook page.
The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System will honor veterans with a virtual ceremony at 11 a.m. on Facebook.
The speakers at the event will be local leaders at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System. The keynote address will be delivered by retired Marine Corps Major General James S. “Hammer” Hartsell. Hartsell is currently serving as the Deputy Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
A recent Wallet-Hub survey ranks Tampa as the third best city for veterans out of the top hundred largest U.S. cities.
Source: WalletHub
For any veterans in the St. Petersburg area looking to just enjoy a cold drink, Bar Chinchilla is offering one free wine or beer to all veterans.
If you’re looking to get out and have fun, and maybe bring the whole family, United Skates skate rink is offering free admission for active or retired military and up to four family members.
For a list of more Veteran’s Day events in the Tampa Bay area, check out Rachel Giannelli’s article on WUSF.org.
Credits
Anchors: Alexandra Rodriguez, Payton Kirol
Reporter: Caylee Cottrell
Producer: Brad Haft
Writer: Carla Ibanez
Graphics Editor: Gabe Castro
Video Editor: Carla Ibanez
Show Editor: Callie Muncy
Associate Producer: Nick Cousineau
Videographer: Carla Ibanez
Web Editor/Social Media Producer: Jack Albury IV
Graduate Assistant: Emmanuel Maduneme
Faculty Advisers: Jeanette Abrahamsen, Wayne Garcia
