Teresa Edwards and U.S. Olympic team to shine in Opening Ceremony

London, England is in for a taste of Syrupmaker flavor courtesy of Team USA this summer. Teresa Edwards, who grew up in Cairo and became the most decorated basketball player in the world, will participate in the Olympic opening ceremony this Friday evening.
Edwards, who has been appointed as the Chef de Mission for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team, will act as a liaison between the London Organizing Committee, the International Olympic Committee and other National Committees over the course of the next several weeks. She will also provide leadership for Team USA and bring her valuable experiences as an Olympic athlete to her responsibility of helping the athletes navigate the Games.
Teresa will be celebrated by the Grady County community in an event open to the public at no charge Friday at the Cairo High School gymnasium from 6:30 p.m. – until, during which the opening ceremony will be shown starting at 7:30 p.m.
Her mother Mildred, who lives in Cairo, had the opportunity to travel with her daughter to the opening ceremonies at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, and says she is excited to see what London will do to kick off the Games this year. She is planning to have a front row seat at the CHS gym Friday night.
Hollywood and stage director Danny Boyle – well known for his award-winning movie “Slumdog Millionaire” – will bring his vision to the Games as the artistic director of the opening ceremony.
Mildred claims that she is looking forward to seeing exactly what Teresa’s role will be in the ceremony; “she always liked to surprise me.” Ultimately, though, Mildred says she knows that “[Team USA is] going to have a good time at the opening ceremony.”
Teresa, who has participated in five previous Olympics as an athlete earning four gold and one bronze medals, got her start right here in Cairo. Mildred remembers her daughter’s start in basketball, explaining that in middle school, Teresa and the neighborhood boys would play basketball using foam balls and an improvised rim that was attached to a tree in the yard. In seventh grade, Teresa tried out for the school team and made it, and according to Mildred (and Teresa’s impressive athletic record) she has “really played good ball, from the seventh-grade on up.”
Immediately achieving a spot on the varsity team at Cairo High School, Teresa helped her team attain a 58-3 winning record during her junior and senior years. She went on to play college ball for the University of Georgia and was a member of Team USA for nearly two decades, accumulating quite an impressive athletic record and more than a few gold medals. “She never takes credit,” though, says Mildred, “she always gives it to the team.” Now, as Chef de Mission, Teresa not only gives support to the United States women’s basketball team, but to the rest of Team USA, as well.
Mildred says that she appreciates how much local pride that the community has shown for her daughter, and wants to thank the citizens of Grady County for supporting Teresa in her achievements both in Cairo and overseas.
Friday night’s opening ceremony can be seen on WALB-TV Channel 10 out of Albany.