The Evolution of an Olympian
ev•o•lu•tion: any progress of formation or growth; development: the evolution of a person; star to superstar
When you look at Carol Rodriquez at first glimpse you might think super-model, however if modeling was her fulltime gig she would probably be the fastest model on the planet. This Olympian known to many as simply “C-Rod” hails from Pomona, California, by way of a Puerto Rican heritage. The USC track and field star bust on to the scene gaining notoriety quickly in the Pac-10 with accolades for her record-breaking times in the 200 and 400m, but there is so much more.
The 2x Olympian and USC Alumni with a Sociology degree is no stranger to adversity! When most Olympians competing in the 2012 Olympics were just mimicking routines like robotic programs they’ve practiced pretty much all their lives, Carol was doing so much more. Building a platform for running. Having to scrap what she did best and transition to a new event. For Carol the past 12 years has been all about competing in the 100 & 200m races; the glamour events, quick events, the dashes or Sprints as many would call them. These events were her domains all the way back to 2006 when she received accolades of Female Athlete of the Year in Puerto Rico, which also placed her #2 in the world that same year with a 22.2 second 200m heat. Sitting pretty close to the top of the throne Carol endure an injury hamstring in 2008, “It was a setback,” but she vowed to come back with a vengeance. A comeback in which she did, making back to her second stint in the Olympics, Carol return to the world stage in London. The twist of this return was she would be competing in the 400m races, something she had no prior competition experience in. It’s an honor to represent your country foremost and it’s another to have your country carrying all it’s hopes upon your shoulders. What surprise many was after recovering from an injury she was able to adopt a new race and make it to the semi-finals, which Carol state, “This is one of my biggest accomplishments.”
When this beauty isn’t on the track, you can catch her in front of the lens of a camera, modeling is her new fast pace race, and being in demand of many publications she looks to lead the pack. Admitting that she has always had an interest in modeling, all the way back to high school, “Prior athletic obligations during college prevented me from modeling while competing.” Now she is able to fulfill another dream, and for many publications they are becoming well-known with her strengths; a girl that’s into sports, along with beauty and brains becomes and instant no-brainier. Plus what guy doesn’t want to read about that?
Rodriguez passion is placing a focus on encouraging positivity in youth. As an ambassador for Michelle Obama’s campaign against obesity & We Run West Hollywood, Carol loves to speak to young adults and children about the importance of eating healthy, maintaining a good diet, and playing energy provoking games like the Wii. Finding that if they have to be in front of a television screen for many hours why not find a way to have fun while essentially exercising. “Having women able to look up at me and express how they are encouraged by my accomplished is a huge motivation for me.” It’s that motivation the confirms what Carol is doing is making a difference.
Personally while this athlete pleads the fifth on her love life, she is looking forward to marriage as well as a big wedding with her family and friends one day. Not only can you look forward to finding her in the Olympics possibly in 2016, you should be seeing plenty of her on newsstands across the land but until then follower her on Twitter @IamCRod and her personal website www.iamcrod.com.