STRATFORD, CT — Several potential Team USA athletes have bowed out of competition for the upcoming Summer Games, stating their fear of adequate security in Athens. However, two of USA Softball’s highest-profile athletes said Saturday that security issues would not stand in their way as they go for their third straight Gold Medal.
Infielder, pitcher and Louisville Slugger spokesperson Lisa Fernandez said the team is very comfortable that the U.S. Olympic Committee, International Olympic Committee and the U.S. Government are doing everything they can to ensure the safety of Olympic athletes.
“As an Olympic athlete your job is to focus on the task at hand and distractions are not an issue,” Fernandez said between games of a double header against the Stratford Brakettes, an Amateur Softball Association team she played with in the 1990s. “This team is very comfortable, we all know where we’re going, we’re going together, our families are going, and we’re all ready to go over there and do business.”
Pitcher Jennie Finch, who has endorsement deals with such brands as Mizuno USA, Bank of America and 24 Hour Fitness and is a segment host for Major League Baseball’s long-running syndicated television show This Week In Baseball, said the team is keeping its focus to on-the-field activity.
“If our country is going and our team is going, then I’m going,” Finch said. “We’ve put complete trust in the USOC that security will do its job when we’re over there.”
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