For three straight Olympics ― 2004, 2008 and 2012 ― Misty May Treanor and her teammate Kerri Walsh Jennings took home gold medal wins in beach volleyball. The two athletes dominated their sport, becoming known by many as the greatest beach volleyball team of all time.
This year, however, May-Treanor will be watching Rio’s beach volleyball matches as a spectator, not a competitor. The 39-year-old former Olympian retired after winning her third consecutive gold in London four years ago, and tells “Oprah: Where Are They Now?” that her new life has certainly been an adjustment.
“It is definitely different sitting at home, knowing that the Olympics is right around the corner,” May-Treanor admits. “It is weird for me not suiting up in the red, white and blue.”
The fact that May-Treanor played volleyball in some capacity for more than two decades has made walking away from the competitions even harder. “That’s the only career I’ve known,” she says. “So, definitely, there is that sense of loss, like, ‘Oh, what am I going to do now?’”
Coaching volleyball has been one way May-Treanor stays connected to the sport she loves. Since ending her professional career, she earned her master’s degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration and also launched the “Dream in Gold” beach volleyball club and clinics for children.
“I’ve always had a plan B,” May-Treanor says. “Plan B has always been coaching.”
Though she doesn’t intend to don another Team USA uniform, May-Treanor has always known that she’ll remain active in volleyball somehow.
“I knew that I wouldn’t be out of the game completely,” she says.
Another beach volleyball legend opens up:
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