Katie Koczynski, Part Five
Express: How did you get involved with the Olympic team?
Katie Koczynksi: I worked hard and worked my way up the ladder. I went from America's Cup team to World Cup team. It wasn't easy, but its been a blast.
Express: How does the American team work together?
Katie Koczynksi: We help each other on and off the track. If someone is having a hard time sliding, we try to help. If they are having a personal problem, we try to support them. We are all very different but we are a family.
Express: Are you paid for being on the Olympic team? How does that work?
Katie Koczynksi: I am sponsored by The Home Depot as part of their "Olympic Job Opportunities
Program." They allow me to work a flexible schedule. I get full benefits and pay. It's a fantastic program and I would not be able to compete if I was not in it. I am also sponsored by the American Legion Post 1600 in Pomona NY. This group has bought me my last two sleds. They are awesome!!
"Skeleton is 90 percent mental. If you have confidence, you will do well. If you doubt yourself, you will most likely fail."
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Express: So you are at the Olympics. You have to wait all day to do your run. How in the world do you keep from going crazy?
Katie Koczynksi: Everyone does his or her own thing on race day. For me, I usually get up really early because I have trouble sleeping on race day. I usually cannot eat either. I pack my track bag the night before and try to stay calm and loose. I will stretch and maybe watch TV or listen to music.
Express: What does it feel like to win a medal?
Katie Koczynksi: It's fun to win anything! I get a kick out of winning Yahtzee! Winning a medal is nice because it gives you something tangible to show for all your hard work.
Express: Are you still attending Columbia? If so, what's your major?
Katie Koczynksi: Yes. I do not know when exactly I will graduate. I think spring of 2007. I am a sociology major [and] I am interested in Public Policy. I may go to law school after graduation.
"In 50 years, no one will care what medals were won. But people will remember kind deeds."
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Express: What are your plans for the future?
Katie Koczynksi: I plan to finish college and go on to grad school. I also want to get married and have a big family.
Express: What would you say to other young athletes who are considering taking up skeleton?
Katie Koczynksi: I would say to work hard and keep it fun. I would also tell them to be patient and to not get down when things aren't going well. Skeleton is 90 percent mental. If you have confidence, you will do well. If you doubt yourself, you will most likely fail.
Express: Is there anything else you'd like to say or share with our readers?
Katie Koczynksi: Ummm, the social being that I am -- I want to tell everyone that the most important thing is not to win -- but to be kind and help others. It sounds cheesy, but it's true. In 50 years, no one will care what medals were won. But people will remember kind deeds.
My favorite quote is from Stephen Jay Gould's "The Panda's Thumb,"
"I am however less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain, than I am in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops."
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