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Monday, 20th February 2006 (8183 views)

American Elitsa Storey will carry a special gold ring with her when she competes in the Paralympics in Turin.

18-year-old Storey is the youngest member of the US disabled ski team, and is looking to compete in all four of the downhill events.

But she will take with her a good-luck charm in the form of a gold ring with a special history.

In 1998 Rod Tatsuno of Ketchum, Idaho, gave his grandfather's ring to Idaho Olympian Picabo Street, who went on to win a gold medal at the Winter Games in Nagano, Japan.

Mr Tatsuno's grandfather had moved from Nagano to America in the late 1800s. The ring had been handed down through the generations.

"I asked Picabo if she'd like to transfer some energy from Sun Valley, Idaho to Nagano, which she did," Tatsuno told America's NewsChannel 7.

The ring then went with Muffy Davis to the Salt Lake City Games, where she won silver medals. Now Elitsa Storey will take the ring to Turin.

"Picabo Street, I mean she's an idol, you know, and Muffy Davis, and just the thought of me being that same thing to people, just being an inspiration to people and being able to wear it, and that represents something to people, it's a great feeling," said Ms Storey.

 

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