USA Fencing

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – The United States Anti-Doping Agency's True Sport team was proud to work with The Colorado Springs School (CSS) for their 2013 Wellness Day on Friday. True Sport Ambassador and Olympic hopeful, Jimmy Moody, shared his experiences as an elite athlete and what it takes to be successful.

This year’s Wellness Day focused on providing students information on the importance of taking responsibility for oneself, and how utilizing individual strengths can contribute to the success of a team.

During his presentation, Moody talked with the high school students about how he dealt with pressures in high school while competing at a high level in sports, stressed the importance of time-management and having a plan, and encouraged students to aim high when setting goals. His words allowed students to hear how the skills Jimmy uses to be successful in athletics can be applied to academics and other areas of life.

Moody also talked with the students about shortcuts and the temptations to cheat that surround the sports world.

When asked by students about why he thinks athletes dope, he said: “In my opinion why people really cheat or dope is not for the reason most people think -- because of their drive to win. Everyone competing at a high level wants to win. I believe that the reason athletes dope (or people cheat) is because they are afraid…afraid of failure. None of you should be afraid of failure. Go out there and take a risk…what’s the worst that could happen?”

Moody is a member of the U.S. National Fencing Team and an Olympic hopeful for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. Jimmy trains at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Georgia Allred, Learning Team Director at CSS was thrilled with the reception of Jimmy and True Sport by the students.

“True Sport is an important program that teaches life lessons learned through sport, and Jimmy Moody, a True Sport Athlete Ambassador made a huge impact on the students he spoke with at CSS! His personal stories and talk about reaching goals resonated with the students who were inspired to aim high to achieve their dreams without succumbing to shortcuts. His focus on organization and genuine connection with the students made him an instant favorite. We are excited to follow Jimmy in his quest to the 2016 Rio Olympics!”

True Sport™ was founded under the auspices of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) as an initiative to equip parents, coaches, and youth to cultivate, champion, and uphold sportsmanship and the positive, ethical life lessons that sports teach. USADA’s mission is “to be the guardian of the values and life lessons learned through sport” and “to inspire present and future generations of U.S. athletes through initiatives that impart the core principles of true sport.”