Crazed Olympian meets crazed monkeys

June 19, 2003 8:00 PM

US Olympic track and field athelete Gabe Jennings set out for Brazil from Arizona in order to learn the martial art of Capoeira to train for the 2004 Olympics. Riding on a ten speed bike older than himself through Central and South America, Jennings was robbed nine times, got hit by a truck, was attacked by monkeys, and contracted hepatitis from eating off of the streets. Read this journal of his travels and marvel at the 3600 mile trip taken by a man who hadn't ridden more than 50 miles previously.
posted by zsazsa (4 comments total)

The amazing part is how the bandits stole his sleeping bag while he slept.
posted by kfury at 8:20 PM on June 19, 2003

Got hit by a truck and was attacked by monkeys, ehh? Reminds me of how it felt to get trounced by this guy in high school cross country.

...Great runner, bad bongo player.
posted by squared at 1:02 AM on June 20, 2003

Why bother to go to Brazil to learn Capoeira, when you can do it right at home in Arizona?
posted by PenDevil at 1:06 AM on June 20, 2003

Wow. I can't help but feel sorry for this guy- wildly talented, prone to meltdowns. I hope he gets his running mojo back, but man- what an eccentric.
posted by kahboom at 4:53 AM on June 20, 2003