-Grete Waitz (1953-2011)

From NYRR:
Grete Waitz, nine-time New York City Marathon winner, four-time world marathon record-setter, and four-time Olympian, has died after a long battle with cancer. She was 57.

A native of Norway, Waitz kept a home in New York City and was a great friend of NYRR. She was instrumental in founding our now-nationwide youth programs and was a current NYRR board member. We all mourn the loss of a great champion in life as well as in sport.

Statement from Mary Wittenberg
“We are sad to lose a dear friend and our most decorated champion, Grete Waitz, who passed away today. Her strength and grace throughout her fight with cancer were incredible, and when so many people would have crumbled she stood strong and positive.

“Grete was a great champion in life as well as in sport. Grete is forever part of NYRR, and we treasure every moment we had with her. Her legacy lives on through the ING New York City Marathon, Grete’s Great Gallop, the NYRR New York Mini 10K, and our youth programs. She was deeply important in making our marathon what it is today, and she inspired generations of women, including athletes like Paula Radcliffe and Deena Kastor. That inspiration will continue.

“We will forever celebrate Grete in our hearts and as an inspiration and role model for women’s running.

“If Grete had to go, it is somehow fitting that she lived until the day after one of the greatest weekends in the sport of marathon running.”

—Mary Wittenberg, President and CEO, New York Road Runners

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slide show…

This morning, it was 70 degrees with a beautiful clear and blue sky. I ran towards DUMBO and decided to stop next to the Brooklyn Bridge to absorb it all — the sky, the water, birds, and the view of the Bridge and Lower Manhattan. I thought of the excitement that is about to begin, the 2008 Olympics.

I’m excited to see all the athletes, but I’m also excited about the new architecture especially the National Aquatics Center or “Water Cube”. It’s an amazing piece of public art and I can’t wait to see grand athletes performing in grand architecture.

The “Water Cube” is a collaboration between PTW, ARUP, and the China State Construction and Engineering Corporation (CSCEC). Inspired by soap bubbles, the architects designed a simple structure using a plastic transparent material called ETFE. The building works like a green house and the material allows more sunlight in than glass. The sunlight heats the pools and the interiors, making the building energy efficient. And that for me is the perfect match — a balance between creativity and sustainability.

For architecture and green lovers, there is more information about the building at the New York Times, Inhabitat and TreeHugger.

Enjoy the games!