NORWALK — Students buzzed with excitement at Concord Magnet School, clutching handmade Olympic-themed welcome signs as they awaited the arrival of U.S. women's soccer champion Kristin Lilly.
“I just wanted to let you know how special it is to have Kristin Lilly here,” Concord Magnet School Principal Medard Thomas said during an all-school assembly Friday morning. “She is what you would call a pioneer. She contributed to the development of women's sports at a time when women's sports were not respected.”
Lilly, a former Wilton resident, joined the U.S. Women's National Team at age 16 and spent her career knocking on the door of women's soccer.
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“I played on the U.S. Women's National Team for a long time, 23 years,” Lilly said.
Lily told the students how when she was a child, there were almost no national sports for girls. In fact, when she first joined the U.S. national team in 1987, the Women's World Cup had not yet been established.
“When I made the team, there was no Women's World Cup or Olympics,” she recalled.
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In 1991, Lily and her team won the first-ever Women's World Cup in China.
“We arrived in New York… and there were three people there to greet us,” Lily said. “And we were like, 'Wow, you three are the only ones who know we won.'” So people didn't know much about the U.S. women's national team. . They had no idea what was going on. ”
Just a few years later, in 1996, women's soccer was added to the Olympics for the first time, and the United States won the gold medal.
“I always dreamed of going to the Olympics,” Lily said.
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In preparation for Concord Magnet School's Olympic Torch Run, which began 40 years ago, Lilly spoke for the first time at the opening ceremony about what it means to be an Olympian.
“It was incredible to feel the warmth and celebration just by being a part of the Olympics,” Lily said.
Through hard work and teamwork, Lily and the other women's national soccer players won a silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and a gold medal at the 2004 Greece Olympics. Lily also won two World Cups during her time with the team.
Three students were called in to try on Lilly's medals “to give them a feel for what it feels like to win a gold or silver.”
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“The ultimate goal of every athlete is to win a gold medal,” she added.
“At the end of the day it's all about the team and hard work,” Lilly said.
“How many of you have fun when you play sports?” Lily asked, drawing hundreds of eager hands.
“That's good. This is important because we didn't just like the game. We had a lot of fun playing,” Lily said.
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Lillee, known for his excellent left foot, wore the number 13 jersey, which is still worn by Alex Morgan, who is known for scoring with his left foot.
Lily said her brother was her biggest inspiration and playing in a co-ed environment pushed her to become a better player.
“He gave me the ability and opportunity to play,” Lilly said.
Concord Magnet School just started its own coed soccer team and recently won its second game.
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In preparation for this summer's Paris Olympics, Concord Magnet School will be hosting an Olympic torchbearer in Norwalk on Friday, May 24th. Starting 40 years ago, Concord students take turns serving as torchbearers at the Summer Olympics each year.
The Olympic Committee donated the Olympic torch from 1996, Lilly's first Olympics, to be used in the school's torchbearer tradition.