Isaac Menyoli

Isaac Menyoli, born August 6, 1972 [ [http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/613.html?type=biog&competitorid=39688&sector=CC Biography] on the website of the International Ski Federation] , is a Cameroonian architect and skier who was the first person to represent his country at the Winter Olympic Games when he took part in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He competed in the men's classical 15km race in cross-country skiing [ [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/jeune_afrique/article_jeune_afrique.asp?art_cle=LIN11023isaacojxuaa0 "Isaac Menyoli Le sida aux J.O."] , "Jeune Afrique", February 11, 2002] , finishing 83rd and last with a time of 45:40.3. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/winterolympics2002/hi/english/static/winter_olympics/statistics/events/cross_country_skiing_results.stm Cross-country skiing results] , BBC, February 24, 2008] He also took part in the 1.5km sprint, where he finished 67th out of 71 [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/winterolympics2002/hi/english/other_skiing/newsid_1830000/1830682.stm "A few brave men"] , BBC, February 20, 2002] , with a time of 4:10.07, just behind Philip Boit of Kenya. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/winterolympics2002/hi/english/static/winter_olympics/statistics/events/cross_country_skiing_results.stm Cross-country skiing results] , BBC, February 24, 2008. Menyoli finished ahead of Thailand's Prawat Nagvajara, Costa Rica's Arturo Kinch, Ireland's Paul O'Connor and Nepal's Jayaram Khadka.]

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that he had been "voted the day's best Olympian overnight", and described him as a Winter Olympics' version of Eric the Eel. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/winterolympics/2002/features/africa.htm "Winter Games produces its versions of 'Eric the Eel'"] , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, February 15, 2002]

Menyoli's stated aim as a competitor was not to win a medal, but to attract media attention (as a Cameroonian skiier) so as to speak up, in front of a global audience, about the prevalence of AIDS in his country, and specifically in his home town of Buea. [ [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/jeune_afrique/article_jeune_afrique.asp?art_cle=LIN11023isaacojxuaa0 "Isaac Menyoli Le sida aux J.O."] , "Jeune Afrique", February 11, 2002] [ [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/2002/daily_guide/news/2002/02/10/feature/ "Two Cool"] , CNN] Menyoli explained that many people in Buea were not convinced of the threat posed by AIDS, and that he hoped to persuade them by being interviewed during an international event. "I want to ski for a reason. I want to tell people that they really have to watch out, that AIDS is serious." [ [http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,199005,00.html "Isaac Menyoli: Man On a Mission"] , Jeff Chu, "Time", February 4, 2002]

External link

* [http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,199005,00.html "Isaac Menyoli: Man On a Mission"] , Jeff Chu, "Time", February 4, 2002
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2002/feb/08/olympicgames.winterolympics20021 "It's the taking part that counts"] , Duncan Mackay, "The Guardian", February 8, 2002
* [http://www.time.com/time/olympics2002/article/0,8599,212042,00.html "In Praise of the Lone Olympians"] , Amanda Bauer, "Time", February 21, 2002

References