Washoe County Library System

"A memoir from World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Katie Ledecky"-- Provided by publisher. "WHAT MAKES A CHAMPION? "I never imagined I would make it to the Olympics, or be at this level, or write a book about this unlikely career that I've had. But I've really enjoyed the ride, this journey." Katie Ledecky is one of the best swimmers ever to compete. She has won more individual Olympic races than any female swimmer in history. A three-time Olympian,...

"In her new memoir Brave Enough, 2018 Olympic Gold Medalist Jessie Diggins shares her story for the first time. The core of Brave Enough traces her amazing journey from the heartland of the United States into the history books of sports. The memoir details her childhood in Afton, Minnesota (an idyllic small town nestled in a virtual snow globe), her meteoric rise as an elite youth athlete (she turned pro straight out of high school), and her dazzling...

"Set against a sizzling-hot Greek summer filled with sunshine and souvlaki, Rufaro Faith Mazarura's Let the Games Begin is a page-turning debut rom-com about two strangers at the top of their game. Athens, 2024. Olivia Nkomo has always been ambitious, smart, and an overall go-getter. Now that she's graduated from university, she's willing to do whatever it takes to land her dream job at the Summer Games. The first step? Securing her new internship,...

Learn about some of the Olympics greatest champions.

"Katie Ledecky began swimming competitively at age six after watching her mother and brother in the pool. By age fifteen, she was setting records and winning gold medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics. And with each year, Katie improved her skills and her times in the water! The Summer 2024 Olympics in Paris will be Katie's fourth, and the world will be watching. With over seven Olympic gold medals, nineteen world championship gold medals, and twenty-two...

A decade ago, Hope Ann Greggory was America's sweetheart. Her inspired performance on a ruptured Achilles at the world's most prestigious gymnastics tournament clinched an unlikely bronze medal for the U.S. team. But in the years since that epic third place victory, Hope hasn't done a whole lot with her life. Now she must coach Amherst's newest gymnastics prodigy Maggie in order to receive a sizeable financial inheritance. "The Bronze isn't a brilliant...

"In 2021, Simone Biles shocked the world when she pulled out of the Tokyo Olympic Games after experiencing the "twisties" -- a scary feeling during which gymnasts lose control of their bodies while mid-air. Audiences had expected Simone to dominate thesegames. With seven Olympic medals, twenty-five World Championships medals, and four gymnastic skills named after her, she is considered to be the G.O.A.T. of women's gymnastics. That summer, however,...

"Shaun White, known as "The Flying Tomato" because of his bright red hair, received his first snowboarding sponsorship by age seven. This was just the first of a lifetime of athletic achievements. He has won a medal every year since 2002 at the Winter X games and won gold at the 2006, 2010, and 2018 Olympics. White has been dazzling audiences for years. Learn all about this snowboarding legend's life, from his childhood skateboarding days to his illustrious...

"Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Michael Phelps began swimming at age seven at the urging of his mom. As a young boy, Michael was brimming with energy-more energy than most other kids his age-and Mrs. Phelps thought this sport could help keep himcalm and focused. As Michael grew older, his skills improved, and he transformed into one of the greatest swimmers in the world, winning twenty-eight Olympic medals"-- Provided by publisher. "Find...