Posted: July 18, 2011
The Phoenix Mercury will honor hall-of-fame skier Picabo Street as the teams 2011 Inspiring Woman during the August 20 game vs. San Antonio.
The night will be dedicated to recognizing Street as well as local women who inspire others through commitment and dedication to work, family and community.
Street joined the U.S. Ski Team in 1989 and earned her first Olympic medal at the 1994 Winter Games in the downhill. She dominated the sport for the next three years, earning back-to-back World Cup downhill titles in 1995 and 1996. She became the first American skier, man or woman, to win a season title and took the gold medal in the downhill at the 1996 World Championships. However, the Idaho native made her mark in the world of winter sports when she won the 1998 Olympic gold medal in the Super G just 14 months after suffering a tear in her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Picabo caught the worlds attention and admiration after coming back from a devastating injury to earn the most coveted medal for an athlete, the Olympic gold medal, said Mercury President and General Manager Ann Meyers Drysdale. Her dedication to getting back to the top of her sport is an inspiration and a reminder to everyone that no matter the setback, anything is achievable.
Street continued her skiing career and planned to retire after one final competition, the 1999 World Cup; however, she sustained a near career-ending injury to her left femur and right knee after crashing during a race just prior to the competition. She rehabilitated for nearly two years and chose to retire in 2002 after competing in the Salt Lake City Olympic Games.
Since retiring, Street has focused her attention to her four sons and also working to raise awareness for the National Childrens Alliance.
Street is the Mercurys fifth Woman of Inspiration and now shares the title with Robin Roberts (2007), Ali Vincent, First Female Biggest Loser (2008), Jackie Joyner-Kersee (2009) and Billie Jean King (2010).
The Mercury, one of the eight original WNBA clubs, is part of the longest running professional womens team sports league in the United States and is currently celebrating Season 15. To purchase tickets, starting at low as $10, visit phoenixmercury.com or call 602-252-WNBA.