Maria Garcia of Carson, a member of the U.S. short-track speedskating team at the Turin Olympics and part of the successful program of the Southern California Speed Skating Assn., missed a chance to qualify for the Vancouver Games when she fell hard during the Olympic trials earlier this month in Marquette, Mich.

But that didn’t end Garcia’s Olympic hopes. She switched to long-track skating even though she had no experience with that discipline and, remarkably, qualified to compete in the 500-meter event at an Olympic qualifying event in late October in Milwaukee. She might also try to get a qualifying time in the 1,000.

“Why not!? My love of sport is through the journey,” she said of making the switch. “Life will always continue on. Qualifying for the long-track Olympic trials is just as possible as it is impossible. I may come nowhere close, but it will be pure joy every step of the way. That’s what sports and life should be about, always looking and rising to your next challenge.”

We’ll follow Maria’s rerouted journey in the coming weeks.

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Maria Cruz Garcia, the American record holder in the Short Track speedskating 500 M — and also this week’s guest on the GameOn Podcast — will make an important and inspirational announcement on the GameOn Podcast.

As you may know Maria was injured during the Short Track Olympic trials last week. The injury prevented her from finishing the competition and as a result, Garcia was unable to qualify for the Short Track Olympic Team. Being the champion that she is, Garcia has decided that she is going to learn the ins and outs of Long Track speedskating. She hopes that her training will allow her to qualify to compete for a spot on the Long Track Olympic Team at the Olympic trials next month. (Please note that she just suffered this injury on Saturday and she already has her eye on the next prize!) If that doesn’t speak to her heart and dedication, we don’t know what does.

The great Yogi Berra once said, “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” Tune in to hear more from Maria Cruz Garcia. It’s clear that this is one woman who definitely knows where she is going.

Salt Lake City, UT. The U.S. National Short Track Speedskaters travel to Marquette, Michigan this week to participate in the U.S. Short Track Championships/Olympic Trials to be held on Sept. 8-12, 2009.

Along with members of the national training program, U.S. speedskater Maria Cruz Garcia- who chooses to reside outside of the national training center- also qualified to participate in the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

The Concierge Questionnaire’s new “Headed to Vancouver” section highlights Olympians to get insight from some of the best athletes in the world!  Featured athletes include Maria Cruz Garcia, Ashley Wagner and Michelle Roark, with more to come!

Maria Cruz Garcia, US Olympic Speedskater and current American Record Holder (500M), lives and trains in her hometown of Carson, California with the support of her tight knit Mexican-American family. Today, Maria is a member of the 2009 World Cup Team and continues disciplined training at home, as she set her sights on earning a spot on the US Olympic Team and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.  Read Maria Cruz Garcia’s Los Angeles Questionnaire!

Ashley Wagner, a figure skater and certified ‘army brat’, who has lived across the United States, now happily calls Alexandria, Virginia home. In this Olympic year, Ashley’s dedication and perseverance has paid off!  At the 2009 US Championships, “after a twelfth place short program finish, Ashley redeemed herself in the long program, finishing in first place after the free skate and moving up to fourth overall,” as well as earning a 2009 World Junior bronze medal. Read Ashley Wagner’s Washington DC Questionnaire!

Many more great Olympic Questionnaires coming up on The Concierge Questionnaire!  Including:  Michelle Roark, Olympic Skier-Denver, Colorado.

Maria Cruz Garcia, Erin Hamlin, Chellsie Memmel, Shannon Miller, Michelle Roark, Angela Ruggiero, and Ashley Wagner have joined the roster of stars at Great Friends Greetings!

Great Friends Greetings is a totally unique gift idea. Great Friends Greetings sells custom printed premium quality greeting cards that make great gifts and feature well-known sports, music, TV and movie stars.

Great Friends Greetings’ unique greeting card, containing a message designed and personalized by the customer, appears to the recipient to come directly from the athlete. They have a spectacular photo printed in front and a customer composed message inside. The cards are signed with the celebrity’s actual signature image.

A perfect gift for fans of all ages, and a great way to express good wishes, Great Friends Greetings are great for birthdays, congratulations, good luck (encouragement), get well and holidays. The cards are beautiful one-of-a-kind keepsakes that will be saved and displayed for a long time. The cards are available exclusively at the www.GreatFriendsGreetings.com.