The Rio Grande Valley has had at least three Olympians--all of them runners, . . . sort of: Bobby Morrow, Aaron Ramirez, and Germán Madrazo. As the Winter Olympics 2018 start to wind down, here's some info about the Rio Grande Valley of deep South Texas's Olympians. I know of three Olympians from here. (Who knows how many more Winter Texans might have passed through here or reside here now who might be Olympians.)
Bobby Morrow (1956, Australia)
San Benito, Texas
Fastest Man On Earth: broke Jesse Owens's 20-year-old record
Gold Medal: 100m, 200m, 4x100m
World Records-Holder, Farmer
Aaron Ramirez (1992, Barcelona)
Mission, Texas
U.S. Team: World Championship
RGV Sports Hall of Fame
Germán Madrazo (2018, Pyeongchang)
McAllen, Texas/Queretaro, Mexico
If you haven't been hiding under Iraq or a hard place or Syriasly not paying attention as you're Russian through your day, you know about our 2018 Olympian from the Valley: Germán (pronounced phonetically, in Spanish) Madrazo. The world certainly took notice. The McAllen, Texas resident, originally from the Mexican state of Queretaro, is owner of Valley Running Co., an Ironman, triathlete, local running guru, and all-around nice guy. So it was no surprise when he announced he'd be training for cross-country skiing just a mere months before competing--at 43--one of the oldest Olympians in S. Korea. His story is still being written, but--in short: Madrazo was chosen as the flagbearer for the Mexican Olympic delegation and he took the eagle by the horns and ran with it. His grand entrance broke the Internet as he waved the eagle and serpent flag clad with a mariachi outfit and smile. Then, days later, he came in last place in his race and is etched in Olympic history along with "the shirtless" wonder that is the flagbearer from Tonga (a fellow newcomer and training partner and roommate to Germán): he had the best finish of any sport in recent memory, waving the Mexican flag as he finished the grueling 15K and then he was lifted up by his peers at the finish, the Olympic champ humbly left to carry Madrazo's skis! Some headlines and articles: